I'm re-installing XP on a friends computer that has had something pretty much ruin 1 out of every 3 files on the system. It's a Dell Dimension 2400. Here is something that puzzles me. Inside the case I see a sticker that has the 25 digit code. That's probably what I'd use. However I decided to run the popular key finder software and it shows XP as having a totally different 25 digit code. The system properties page shows that it's an OEM which is expected.
The reason I ran the key finder program was out of curiosity. I had run it on an emachines about a year ago and the same thing happened. What ever key it reports is not the same on the sticker on the machine. So I figured there must be some internal key for when it's shipped from the OEM that differs from the sticker they give you on the machine. I'm thinking they might do it this way because when they preload the system all the CD data is of course the same.
But I'm not really sure why and want to ask if that's what's going on. Beyond this question, the point is that I want to be sure this XP will be legit and able to get updates etc. So I want to be sure to enter the right key before I start so that I don't have to reinstall XP twice with the other key.
So can I just use either key? Should I use the one on the sticker? What really are the differences to how XP will react depending on which key I use? I also wonder what Dell support might think if the key doesn't match what's in the machine right now in the event of a future call from my friend. And then I wondered if by entering the key found in software, if it would somehow change later to the other key. But I doubt it. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this. Thanks.
The reason I ran the key finder program was out of curiosity. I had run it on an emachines about a year ago and the same thing happened. What ever key it reports is not the same on the sticker on the machine. So I figured there must be some internal key for when it's shipped from the OEM that differs from the sticker they give you on the machine. I'm thinking they might do it this way because when they preload the system all the CD data is of course the same.
But I'm not really sure why and want to ask if that's what's going on. Beyond this question, the point is that I want to be sure this XP will be legit and able to get updates etc. So I want to be sure to enter the right key before I start so that I don't have to reinstall XP twice with the other key.
So can I just use either key? Should I use the one on the sticker? What really are the differences to how XP will react depending on which key I use? I also wonder what Dell support might think if the key doesn't match what's in the machine right now in the event of a future call from my friend. And then I wondered if by entering the key found in software, if it would somehow change later to the other key. But I doubt it. I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this. Thanks.