Can you use a SP1 key with a SP2 install?

wtcnbrwndo4u · February 7th, 2007

I don't have access to the recovery disks that came with the HP laptop, but I do have access to HP SP2 recovery disk. My question is that can a SP1 key (or just XP straight up without a SP) work with a SP2 install?

**gvblake22** · February 7th, 2007

I really doubt it, but I guess it could be worth a try...

pc_guy · February 7th, 2007

Highly unlikely that the key will work. Especially if the original key is an HP OEM key.
Never hurts to try it anyway, who knows, my e-machines WinXP Home key printed on the back of the case worked with a "unofficial XP Home disc" I made from the i386 folder+WinXP Pro installer .exe. The original recovery disc didn't have a way of doing a clean install.

**PrOLifIC_onE** · February 7th, 2007

I don't know if I can fully answer the question becuase it has been so long since I used "recovery disks" since I just use straight-up windows disk for installing.

I may be wrong but I would guess that a windows key applies to your version of XP (IE Home, Pro, Corporate[volume], MCE, etc...). If you use a program to display your current windows key, I do not see why you would not be able to install a fresh copy of windows with that key, regardless of whether it is SP1 or SP2. I would just use a 'generic' disk of the same version. I am lucky enough to have permission to use a volume license from my work to install on my PCs and I always install a generic version of SP1 then use an install file for SP2.

In your case I would highly recommend just using a 'generic' windows disk to reinstall the OS, this will also start your laptop off clean without all the additional HP add-on programs.

wtcnbrwndo4u · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrOLifIC_onE

I don't know if I can fully answer the question becuase it has been so long since I used "recovery disks" since I just use straight-up windows disk for installing.

I may be wrong but I would guess that a windows key applies to your version of XP (IE Home, Pro, Corporate[volume], MCE, etc...). If you use a program to display your current windows key, I do not see why you would not be able to install a fresh copy of windows with that key, regardless of whether it is SP1 or SP2. I would just use a 'generic' disk of the same version. I am lucky enough to have permission to use a volume license from my work to install on my PCs and I always install a generic version of SP1 then use an install file for SP2.

In your case I would highly recommend just using a 'generic' windows disk to reinstall the OS, this will also start your laptop off clean without all the additional HP add-on programs.

Right, but for one, I want the HP programs (QuickPlay, but that's it). Other than that, there's no other reason.

**PrOLifIC_onE** · February 7th, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

Right, but for one, I want the HP programs (QuickPlay, but that's it). Other than that, there's no other reason.

There's got to be a version of Quickplay available out there somewhere that you can install.

February 7th, 2007	#1
wtcnbrwndo4u Resident Brownie Join Date: May 2006 Location: KS Posts: 2,225	Can you use a SP1 key with a SP2 install? I don't have access to the recovery disks that came with the HP laptop, but I do have access to HP SP2 recovery disk. My question is that can a SP1 key (or just XP straight up without a SP) work with a SP2 install? - Core 2 Quad Q6600 - DFI Infinity 975X - 4GB Corsair XMS2 w/ DHX DDR2-800 - 250GB Seagate 7200.10RPM + 160GB Hitachi 5400.4RPM - ATi Radeon X1900XT 256MB - Cooler Master Centurion 5 + OCZ StealthXStream 600W - Acer 19" P191W Monitor - Logitech Z-5500 Digital + Logitech MX Revolution - Vista Ultimate x64 Dell Inspiron 5150 - Pentium 4 @ 3.06GHz w/ HT Tech - 512MB PC2700 RAM - 80GB WD Scorpio 5400RPM HD - nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 32MB - XP Pro SP3

February 7th, 2007	#2
gvblake22 Modder-ator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tempe Desert Posts: 6,425 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can you use a SP1 key with a SP2 install? I really doubt it, but I guess it could be worth a try...

February 7th, 2007	#3
pc_guy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Inside an igloo, Canada Posts: 313	Re: Can you use a SP1 key with a SP2 install? Highly unlikely that the key will work. Especially if the original key is an HP OEM key. Never hurts to try it anyway, who knows, my e-machines WinXP Home key printed on the back of the case worked with a "unofficial XP Home disc" I made from the i386 folder+WinXP Pro installer .exe. The original recovery disc didn't have a way of doing a clean install. \|\| AMD Athlon64 3800+ Venice \| Asus A8N5X s939 \| OCZ Premier PC3200 Du-Ch 1GB \| Sapphire X1600Pro 512MB PCI-e \| 1xWD 80Gb & 1xWD 250Gb Sata(s) \| Antec SLK3800B Case \| Enermax NoiseTaker 485W \|\|

February 7th, 2007	#4
PrOLifIC_onE 5 Minute Mod Man Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 686 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Can you use a SP1 key with a SP2 install? I don't know if I can fully answer the question becuase it has been so long since I used "recovery disks" since I just use straight-up windows disk for installing. I may be wrong but I would guess that a windows key applies to your version of XP (IE Home, Pro, Corporate[volume], MCE, etc...). If you use a program to display your current windows key, I do not see why you would not be able to install a fresh copy of windows with that key, regardless of whether it is SP1 or SP2. I would just use a 'generic' disk of the same version. I am lucky enough to have permission to use a volume license from my work to install on my PCs and I always install a generic version of SP1 then use an install file for SP2. In your case I would highly recommend just using a 'generic' windows disk to reinstall the OS, this will also start your laptop off clean without all the additional HP add-on programs.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Can't install second HD	frenchie29	Troubleshooting	5	May 1st, 2008 09:49
Why You Want Linux, and How You install it.	Hushed	User Guides/Reviews	24	February 14th, 2008 10:20
How to install second HD for HP DV9010ca	frenchie29	Peripherals	7	December 21st, 2007 06:20
Bioshock after install issues	Dalec	Gaming	1	October 27th, 2007 22:57
OS won't install	Django	Software & OSs	10	June 7th, 2006 11:21