WinXP OEM + Serial

[Codasyl]

Hello guys, what I am about to ask may seem a bit stupid but I really want to know.
My Vaio Notebook came together with windows xp pro+sp1.After that I did the update to sp2 and everything was ok,until my Hard drive showed some bad sectors and I had to change it.
The question is, will I be able to install the WinXP Pro + SP2 OEM using my original serial number?(instead of having to restore from the dvd's the old version of windows) or If that is not possible,which version of winxp+sp2 should I try to find and use it with my key? I really want to avoid installing the old windows and having to update everything all over again.
Another thing, I also use linux, does somebody know a way to make my "special keys" like volume,brightness etc. work under linux? It would be great.
Thank you.
VGN-A 195EP

[stephanius]

HI Codasyl,

the sticker with the license key on your units bottom is for Sony's licensing agreement with Microsoft, it is not used for the actual windows installation on your unit. To my knowledge a retail XP pro version will NOT accept the OEM key on the sticker as valid serial number.

The Sony OEM windows does not require the imput of a license key, but the Recovery disc is keyed to the Vaio and will not work on other computers or even other Vaio models.

I suggest you download SP2 as redistributable file (approx 280MB) from Microsoft and apply that after doing the recovery from the original XPproSP1 recovery discs.

The function keys are run by a small software that filters the respective key combinations and acts on them. It is part of the original utilities package that you can download from www.vaio-link.com however, that does not help you for linux. You will have to choose between searching the web or writing a linux version of hkserv yourself.

[Codasyl]

Hi Dilbert,
First of all thank you for answering to my post.
Now, I must say that I've allready tried installing the retail version of windows xp+sp2 on my vaio with no luck,the key is not acceptable.I can't tell what happens with the winxp+sp2 OEM version because I don't have it in my reach. I don't even know if it's possible to find a windows oem cd from sony...I'm not reffering to the restore cd's but the installation.
Now, I find it a bit "idiotic" having to restore my system and then update it and delete one by one the sony software that I don't care ever using...I mean there must be another way??

Anyway, thanks again...