Comments on: Everything you always wanted to know about Windows Product Activation http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506 Helping PC users make sense of Microsoft software since 1991 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:09 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bill Shanner http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-155257 Bill Shanner Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:24:49 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-155257 Good stuff Ed, Question. My experience is that some OEM COA's will only work with OEM OS disks issued by the OEM manufacturer. I've experienced this on Thinkpads , Toshibas and HPs. How does one get a legal OEM copy from a manufacturer that works with the COA that you paid for? Please don't suggest that I call customer service, in this case that is an oxymoron. Good stuff Ed,

Question. My experience is that some OEM COA’s will only work with OEM OS disks issued by the OEM manufacturer. I’ve experienced this on Thinkpads , Toshibas and HPs.

How does one get a legal OEM copy from a manufacturer that works with the COA that you paid for? Please don’t suggest that I call customer service, in this case that is an oxymoron.

]]> By: darkflux http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154927 darkflux Fri, 23 Mar 2007 22:43:59 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154927 oh, and if you can't even START your DELL, etc. WinXP PC (hence the need for re-install), you can still copy the I386 folder to a USB drive (or second hard drive, if you're a "smart" PC backer-upper), using this free software: http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm it will only copy files to FAT32 formatted drives, and NOT NTFS disks (read: WinXP formatted file systems). also, this only works if you haven't got "copy-protected files" though, otherwise you need to run XP Recovery Module (which requires a working knowledge of DOS prompt commands). you can also retrieve your XP 25-digit key, using BartPE, a (somewhat) simple to use DOS prog for system troubleshooting. details here: http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/Q_21236913.html#a13012290 for more info, simply google: xp keyfinder dos "bart's pe" good luck all :) oh, and if you can’t even START your DELL, etc. WinXP PC (hence the need for re-install), you can still copy the I386 folder to a USB drive (or second hard drive, if you’re a “smart” PC backer-upper), using this free software:
http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm
it will only copy files to FAT32 formatted drives, and NOT NTFS disks (read: WinXP formatted file systems).
also, this only works if you haven’t got “copy-protected files” though, otherwise you need to run XP Recovery Module (which requires a working knowledge of DOS prompt commands).

you can also retrieve your XP 25-digit key, using BartPE, a (somewhat) simple to use DOS prog for system troubleshooting. details here:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/OS/Microsoft_Operating_Systems/Windows/XP/Q_21236913.html#a13012290

for more info, simply google:
xp keyfinder dos “bart’s pe”

good luck all :)

]]> By: darkflux http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154924 darkflux Fri, 23 Mar 2007 21:07:32 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154924 okay, to ALL of the posters asking about using different types of XP discs to reinstall on a DELL system, or to use the DELL disc to re-install a non-DELL system's XP, IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. DELL discs check for known DELL motherboard (or CPU occasionally) ID's, BEFORE an install. and the DELL PID will only work with DELL re-install discs! i checked it out. if you want to reinstall a DELL copy of WinXP onto your DELL system (provided you have a DELL Windows XP Product ID, from the case, or wherever), check your "C:\WINDOWS" directory for a folder called "I386", and copy all files to a blank CD. then boot your DELL with the CD, and follow the prompts to re-install WinXP. this applies to HP/COMPAQ systems, and some Gateway/eMachines, etc. systems as well. basically any system which comes with a "Recovery Disc" (almost). for non-DELL (and other "Royalty" XP installs) PC's, as long as you have a valid Product ID, you can re-install WinXP, BUT you MUST USE the install disc corresponding to your type of WinXP install. for example: it's not enough just knowing that you have WinXP Professional Edition (though that helps), you must also know which TYPE you have (either: Retail, OEM, or Upgrade). if you are unsure, there's always trial and error... the point is, if you have the Product Key, you have the legal right to install/reinstall WinXP onto ONE system of your choice (that being the ONLY PC running using that Key). all you need to do now is find a CD image corresponding to your type of disc needed: Retail, OEM, or Upgrade. also, there is NO KNOWN (to me anyways) WAY to install an SLP (read: DELL, etc.) WinXP (especially recovery disc) onto EVEN THE SAME PC, if the motherboard is replaced. you need to install using THAT MB that came with the system, then swap MB's before Activation, but AFTER the initial WinXP Startup (where it asks you to activate, and you decline). keep in mind though, that this occasionally causes hardware malfunctions (due to incompatibility with processors/memory chips) and the occasional BSOD... that's all i can think of in one sitting. anything else? okay, to ALL of the posters asking about using different types of XP discs to reinstall on a DELL system, or to use the DELL disc to re-install a non-DELL system’s XP, IT DOESN’T WORK THAT WAY.
DELL discs check for known DELL motherboard (or CPU occasionally) ID’s, BEFORE an install. and the DELL PID will only work with DELL re-install discs! i checked it out.

if you want to reinstall a DELL copy of WinXP onto your DELL system (provided you have a DELL Windows XP Product ID, from the case, or wherever), check your “C:\WINDOWS” directory for a folder called “I386″, and copy all files to a blank CD. then boot your DELL with the CD, and follow the prompts to re-install WinXP.

this applies to HP/COMPAQ systems, and some Gateway/eMachines, etc. systems as well. basically any system which comes with a “Recovery Disc” (almost).

for non-DELL (and other “Royalty” XP installs) PC’s, as long as you have a valid Product ID, you can re-install WinXP, BUT you MUST USE the install disc corresponding to your type of WinXP install.

for example:
it’s not enough just knowing that you have WinXP Professional Edition (though that helps), you must also know which TYPE you have (either: Retail, OEM, or Upgrade). if you are unsure, there’s always trial and error…

the point is, if you have the Product Key, you have the legal right to install/reinstall WinXP onto ONE system of your choice (that being the ONLY PC running using that Key). all you need to do now is find a CD image corresponding to your type of disc needed: Retail, OEM, or Upgrade.

also, there is NO KNOWN (to me anyways) WAY to install an SLP (read: DELL, etc.) WinXP (especially recovery disc) onto EVEN THE SAME PC, if the motherboard is replaced. you need to install using THAT MB that came with the system, then swap MB’s before Activation, but AFTER the initial WinXP Startup (where it asks you to activate, and you decline). keep in mind though, that this occasionally causes hardware malfunctions (due to incompatibility with processors/memory chips) and the occasional BSOD…

that’s all i can think of in one sitting.
anything else?

]]> By: Ed Bott http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154528 Ed Bott Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:30:55 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154528 Well, Roger, when you start your computer, if it was set up properly, you should be prompted to activate it. Assuming you're connected to the Internet, activation should be simple and quick - less than a minute. If you're concerned, why don't you call the person or company that sold you the computer? Well, Roger, when you start your computer, if it was set up properly, you should be prompted to activate it. Assuming you’re connected to the Internet, activation should be simple and quick – less than a minute.

If you’re concerned, why don’t you call the person or company that sold you the computer?

]]> By: Roger http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154527 Roger Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:10:46 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154527 please in simple english for a old fart, What dose this mean I thought I was getting a ready computer please let me know what I have to do.This is what was sent along with it WindowXP Professional Edition OPK (COA required when Activate) please in simple english for a old fart,
What dose this mean I thought I was getting a ready computer please let me know what I have to do.This is what was sent along with it

WindowXP Professional Edition OPK (COA required when Activate)

]]> By: Beldar http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154507 Beldar Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:36:35 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154507 When you say "refresh a system" does that include replacing the motherboard? I have a dead emachine that I'm going to replace the psu and mobo on, and hope to be able to use again with the oem xp recovery cd. Consensus opinion says I won't be able to do it. But some folks say otherwise. My understanding is that I'd have to make a phone call to Msoft to get xp reactivated; but I don't think I'll be able to get the phone number unless the re-install works. And my guess is that it won't. So how is it that some people can replace the mobo and get the o/s reactivated? How do they get the OEM version to even re-install, nuch less re-activated? When you say “refresh a system” does that include replacing the motherboard? I have a dead emachine that I’m going to replace the psu and mobo on, and hope to be able to use again with the oem xp recovery cd. Consensus opinion says I won’t be able to do it. But some folks say otherwise. My understanding is that I’d have to make a phone call to Msoft to get xp reactivated; but I don’t think I’ll be able to get the phone number unless the re-install works. And my guess is that it won’t. So how is it that some people can replace the mobo and get the o/s reactivated? How do they get the OEM version to even re-install, nuch less re-activated?

]]> By: Dan the PC Man http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154483 Dan the PC Man Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:34:02 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154483 Just wanted to throw a thread in here, as I too am a "refurbisher" of old PCs and I usually have the original OEM CDs to use, which has never caused a problem. In some cases, I do in fact have to refresh a system that I do not have OEM CDs for, in which case if it is a known manufacturer (Dell, IBM, HP etc) you can have them SEND you a set (usually for a small fee if not in warranty, free if it is) of the original OEM CDs. This works flawless since they are always the correct CD for the equipment, and activation works fine as long as the COA is present (have not found one yet where it was missing). This might help the "newbie" that is unsure of how to proceed. Good luck all... on to Vista for me - just purchased an "OEM" version of Home Premium for my own system. Just wanted to throw a thread in here, as I too am a “refurbisher” of old PCs and I usually have the original OEM CDs to use, which has never caused a problem. In some cases, I do in fact have to refresh a system that I do not have OEM CDs for, in which case if it is a known manufacturer (Dell, IBM, HP etc) you can have them SEND you a set (usually for a small fee if not in warranty, free if it is) of the original OEM CDs. This works flawless since they are always the correct CD for the equipment, and activation works fine as long as the COA is present (have not found one yet where it was missing). This might help the “newbie” that is unsure of how to proceed. Good luck all… on to Vista for me – just purchased an “OEM” version of Home Premium for my own system.

]]> By: Ed Bott http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154258 Ed Bott Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:50:12 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154258 Ah, I see. That's an unusual use of the PID acronym, which normally refers to the unique key that you use to activate a retail or OEM copy and which is absolutely not stored on the CD. I'll be interested in hearing how your experiment goes. Ah, I see. That’s an unusual use of the PID acronym, which normally refers to the unique key that you use to activate a retail or OEM copy and which is absolutely not stored on the CD. I’ll be interested in hearing how your experiment goes.

]]> By: How's your father http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154257 How's your father Thu, 18 Jan 2007 18:34:23 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154257 PID's can be <a href="http://wiki.djlizard.net/Product_IDs" rel="nofollow"> modified</a>. It may be doomed, but i think i will test it anyway, but it's better to <a href="http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=82638" rel="nofollow"> experiment </a> rather than just dismiss it outright. PID’s can be modified. It may be doomed, but i think i will test it anyway, but it’s better to experiment rather than just dismiss it outright.

]]> By: Ed Bott http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154245 Ed Bott Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:23:32 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154245 Bob's, There is no PID on the CD, so your strategy is doomed from the start. If you have a non-Dell PC, you need either an SLP CD from the manufacturer of that PC, or an OEM PID to go with your System Builder OEM CD. What you're trying to do is not supported by your license agreement. Bob’s,

There is no PID on the CD, so your strategy is doomed from the start. If you have a non-Dell PC, you need either an SLP CD from the manufacturer of that PC, or an OEM PID to go with your System Builder OEM CD. What you’re trying to do is not supported by your license agreement.

]]> By: Bob's your uncle http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154244 Bob's your uncle Tue, 16 Jan 2007 19:15:42 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154244 I have a Dell OEM key and an OEM XP Pro CD (not Dell). If i modify the PID on the CD to match the Dell OEM PID on the original installation, then this in theory might allow the OS to activate. The new machine is not a Dell model. I am thinking that because the XP Pro OEM CD is not related to Dell, then any SLP files will not be present. If activation by this route is only connected to the Product Key and the PID, then this might be successful? I have a Dell OEM key and an OEM XP Pro CD (not Dell). If i modify the PID on the CD to match the Dell OEM PID on the original installation, then this in theory might allow the OS to activate.

The new machine is not a Dell model. I am thinking that because the XP Pro OEM CD is not related to Dell, then any SLP files will not be present. If activation by this route is only connected to the Product Key and the PID, then this might be successful?

]]> By: Hayden Coon http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-154208 Hayden Coon Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:44:24 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-154208 I am a Mac Pro (Intel) Mac user who bought an OEM version of Windows XP Pro so that I might run "Bootcamp" and Parallels Virtualization. Initially I had no trouble (two or three installs under Parallels and one under bootcamp). Thereafter I was required to call Redmond (I guess) to get an activation - after assuring them that I was using the same computer a number was granted. Now, after about 10 installs total (Parallels blew the OS eachtime some beta-assocaiated glitch disabled it) I am told that my number is no longer valid. My bootcamp install has been stable but now I have no operational Parallels version - not even using the bootcamp "boot" which requires "authentication". I plan to get an upgrade version of Vista but I fear that I shall still not be able to "upgrade" the Parallels versions. Apparently Uncle Bill considers Parallels virtual machines as separate computers - or somesuch. How can I contact Redmond and get this straightened out? At present I have not way to reinstall and probably not to upgrade either... I am a Mac Pro (Intel) Mac user who bought an OEM version of Windows XP Pro so that I might run “Bootcamp” and Parallels Virtualization. Initially I had no trouble (two or three installs under Parallels and one under bootcamp). Thereafter I was required to call Redmond (I guess) to get an activation – after assuring them that I was using the same computer a number was granted. Now, after about 10 installs total (Parallels blew the OS eachtime some beta-assocaiated glitch disabled it) I am told that my number is no longer valid. My bootcamp install has been stable but now I have no operational Parallels version – not even using the bootcamp “boot” which requires “authentication”. I plan to get an upgrade version of Vista but I fear that I shall still not be able to “upgrade” the Parallels versions. Apparently Uncle Bill considers Parallels virtual machines as separate computers – or somesuch. How can I contact Redmond and get this straightened out? At present I have not way to reinstall and probably not to upgrade either…

]]> By: steve http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=4#comment-153951 steve Thu, 14 Dec 2006 23:40:42 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-153951 i am about to build a new PC, if i buy an OEM XP media centre edition with Vista upgrade coupon can i legitemately use this on a home PC i've built & upgrade to vista or are OEM versions only for computer companies who build & sell PCs? i am about to build a new PC, if i buy an OEM XP media centre edition with Vista upgrade coupon can i legitemately use this on a home PC i’ve built & upgrade to vista or are OEM versions only for computer companies who build & sell PCs?

]]> By: Jason http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=3#comment-153779 Jason Tue, 28 Nov 2006 06:00:47 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-153779 I purchased second hand an HP/Compaq NX9010. Thought I'de be smart and reformat with my newly purchased XP. Well, It didnt accept my $100 plus dollar key. I was able to use the one on the back of the PC, but now its nagging me to activate it. What do I have to do to be able to use "my" key? I purchased second hand an HP/Compaq NX9010. Thought I’de be smart and reformat with my newly purchased XP. Well, It didnt accept my $100 plus dollar key. I was able to use the one on the back of the PC, but now its nagging me to activate it. What do I have to do to be able to use “my” key?

]]> By: Robert http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506&cpage=3#comment-153695 Robert Sun, 19 Nov 2006 05:23:33 +0000 http://www.edbott.com/wordpress/?p=506#comment-153695 Wow so glad I found this site, However I am still stumped with what to do reguarding my problems. I have already and plan on purchasing more used dell computers from local wholesaler. What would be the most affordable way for me to install operating systems legally for the resale of the units. Everything I research just seems to send me into another loop. I have located Microsoft Media Windows XP Professional CD with Service Pack 2 for approx 30.00 US, but I have no idea what kind of product they are or what they are for. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Wow so glad I found this site, However I am still stumped with what to do reguarding my problems. I have already and plan on purchasing more used dell computers from local wholesaler. What would be the most affordable way for me to install operating systems legally for the resale of the units. Everything I research just seems to send me into another loop. I have located Microsoft Media Windows XP Professional CD with Service Pack 2 for approx 30.00 US, but I have no idea what kind of product they are or what they are for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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