Question about windows/formating..

Ok.. im going to get a PC for x-mas.. but it has to be around 600 or so.. and i can build a preaty nice PC for 600 but if i add a windows to it.. then its 700+ or so.. >.< anyway

what im asking is.. my old PC came with a recovery disc, with windows xp(32) im wondering if i can use that disc to format my new pc?
till some time later(probably my b-day) then i can get windows 7..

About 99% of the time u can use the old license and the disk that came with the old machine.

You will have to reactivate windows via phone or internet after u install. Only thing is tho on the old computer i probley wouldnt hook it up to the internet or use it ne more. This could result in a Genuine Windows error and screw over both machines.

At work I lost my OEM windows disk i had in my shop, and i have about 40 dell disks. I use the dell disk to install windows XP on machines here and also I have used licenses from other machine that are DOA to put on Frankenstein stuff i put together here from good parts if needed.

Never had a problem.

Hunter is 1% right and 99% wrong. I have seen that happen in the past but its very seldom. I have seen it happen with an Asus laptop once with Vista and some HP machines. I believe that the disk was propreitary to the key , But usually any OEM disk or OEM key from any brand of PC will work fine.

On my GF's rig that i handed down to her it still uses a XP Home key from a Gateway computer that I had about 7 years ago. Plus that copy of windows has seen about 3 other former rigs i have had since then. Never a problem installing or activating it.