[metal11]

so im doing a favor for a friend of a friend, the situation here is we have an acer laptop that has a spanish version of xp on it and we want to change it to english.

ive been doing some research and people are saying that its only possible if you reformat it. ok.

i can get the spanish windows cd key off the computer that its on but i only have an english windows xp disc.

does anyone know if i reformat using the english windows xp disc with the spanish's windows cd key will work?

thanks in advance

[Mak213]

It wont work. IF the Serial was used with the Spanish OEM XP install it is not going to activate properly with a English OEM.

[kimsland]

Language is not relevant to licensing, at least not since Windows 2000

I haven't contacted MS to absolutely confirm this though, but pretty sure the CD Key is not language dependent

[Mak213]

Yes it is relevant.

The many versions of XP

That is all the different version of XP and the different types of Serials released. There is no way to confirm what version of XP was used to install let alone make sure that it will work with a English version.

Not only would you have to match OEM to OEM but Pro to Pro along with making sure that the Spanish Serial works with the English version. To many variables. It would be easier to find a Language Pack and change the location than i would to try to verify all the different variables.

[kimsland]

Originally Posted by Baez

I really wish Dell keys would work with other CDs. I have about 5-10 unused keys here.

They do work with other CDs, I know as I've confirmed it (not confirmed different language though)
So do you want to call MS or me?
I don't like contacting them because they ask lots of questions about my PID and key, which is irrelevant and annoying
I just want to confirm if language is set to the key (OEM or Retail, or both) I'm still thinking no.

[Mak213]

I dont feel the need to call. What you quoted has nothing to do with the subject at hand as that is not different languages. That is just using a same language OEM Serial with a different CD. I can confirm that works as well. But that is not the same thing for a different language.

I doubt it can be done. If it can so be it. I learned something new. But i highly doubt the Tech Support people will know the answer. So i will contact my MVP Lead and have him contact the Developers for me and get me a answer.

[patonb]

Um, Mak has run the beta tests for EVERY version of windows all the way back to win 3.1, or something rediculous like that.

Mak is the last person you should be argueing about Windows stuff..

But to show proof, 1 google search found this question and email responce from MS.
Changing Windows XP from German to English

[kimsland]

Originally Posted by patonb

Mak is the last person you should be argueing about Windows stuff..

Thank-you

So from your reference link it proves I was right

The license is for Windows XP, regardless of the language you install

And my answer stating "NO" the language is not relevant was correct

Lucky I "argued" with Mak, hey ?

[patonb]

Now he needs an OEM english copy.... So no it won't anyway cause theres most likely no english OEM...

[Mak213]

The reference link only states he called. I dont see the mention of what serial was used. As back in 2005 it wasnt hard to get a OEM Serial. Circuit City among various others left the OEM Stickers on the side of the display models.

The calling method can be used for more than legit reasons. People have used it to call in OEM copies on brand new PC's which is against the EULA. All this tells me is that it could still be very well against the EULA and illegal.

I see a response from Microsoft that backs my regards and i see another method that backs just using a different CD. Since Microsoft created it, I would think that would be the answer. All i am saying is that just because he called and got it activated, doesnt make it legal. All it shows is how ineffective the call center is.