[Agobue]

Hi all,

I've recently been given a number of computers from a friend, all of which were missing hard drives. Now I can purchase hard drives no problem, but the computers all have license keys on them. Would I be able to download a copy of Windows, use the license keys (which should work, providing they haven't been activated x number of times) and sell the computers on with Windows pre-installed?

[TmEE]

Get unhacked ISOs or original media, use the license keys and be happy. If the key does not want to activate call microsoft and do manual activation and it'll work then.

[Covarr]

The only potential concern is if the missing hard drives have the same keys on them. If they've been wiped, destroyed, or otherwise don't have the original Windows installs, you'll be fine.

[Oerg866]

Quote

The only potential concern is if the missing hard drives have the same keys on them. If they've been wiped, destroyed, or otherwise don't have the original Windows installs, you'll be fine.

Actually no, XP activation servers don't check the quantity (or at least they don't do that anymore). I have probably activated the same OEM key I stole from a school machine ages ago (HP OEM) about 25 times now without issues :P

[Covarr]

Oerg866, on 06 January 2014 - 05:40 AM, said:

Quote

The only potential concern is if the missing hard drives have the same keys on them. If they've been wiped, destroyed, or otherwise don't have the original Windows installs, you'll be fine.

Actually no, XP activation servers don't check the quantity (or at least they don't do that anymore). I have probably activated the same OEM key I stole from a school machine ages ago (HP OEM) about 25 times now without issues :P

Slingers didn't say he's using XP though. I'm almost positive that Vista and later *do* check this.

[Master Emerald]

You can still call Microsoft phone activator service and it'll work haha.