We had a PC stolen from work the other day; I still have to XP install disk (it’s an OEM version, however) - I don’t have the product key, as this was affixed to the machine itself.
Am I right in thiinking that the install CD might as well be a coaster, or is there a ray of hope that I might be able to install and activate it on the new machine?
I’m not sure how it works in Windows XP, but in previous versions the product key was not connected to a specific physical CD, so you could use any Windows XP product key to use that CD.
When and if license revision time comes around, however, you’re probably screwed.
In some cases the license is tied to the machine - we have XP CDs from HP which you can’t use with a non-HP code, but any HP code will work. In your case you need to read your license agreement: getting a new code may be as simple as emailing MS with proof of purchase or you may be SOL and have to buy a new license with the replacement machine.
Mangetout, I can help you expedite the process of getting the code from MS. Email me.
In previous versions of Windows, you just tapped in the license ID off the back of the manual or CD case and you were good to go; with XP, the machine (or the user) has to contact MS to activate; if you try to use the same license key for a second installation (which is technically what is happening here), their system won’t activate it.
Since he said it was an OEM license, can he install XP on a different system? I’d think the license would be considered stolen as well.
Assuming this is not a disk image that will require OEM hardware to be present before installing, there are different versions of XP and they behave in different ways re install verification procedures.
The standard, retail boxed, non-enterprise, single user license versions of XP Home and XP Pro are only keyed to a specific machine during install, in that it reads the hardware profile of the machine, contacts Microsoft for verification, authorization, and activation. This is considered “one” install on MS’s end in their database of installs for that hardware profile.
If you change the guts of the machine too much, XP will cease (at boot) to be able to verify the hardware profile snapshot it created and will indicate your install is not authorized. Calling MS can usually clear this up, but it requires some phone time. I think there is some llimit of around 3-5 installs or so you can do before MS will refuse to verify and activate any more installs.
The enterprise version of XP can be installed without MS verification and authorization, which works fine until some large updates are required, and MS refuses to verify the install because it does look at the install at that time. Some people use a small “key changer” program hack that will allow re-generation of a new authorization code, but this is can cause problems if your work systems get audited by the SPA.
I’m sorry I didn’t answer your OP . The key gen programs only work on XP Pro enterprise versions (AFAIK). Without a valid serial key accessible to at least bootstrap the original install you might be SOL re pulling the ley off the CD. I have heard some people suggest that XP will install with any XP home or Pro install key, but it just won’t verify. I’ve never tried this.
BTW the XP serial key is usually also pasted somewhere on a card or a manual in the docs. Might be worth a look. I’ve even seen them pasted on a sticker on the cardboard retail box itself.
If you call MS and read out the CD product ID #'s to them they will probably just give you a valid serial key over the phone.
I tried installing it and it all went OK, except that there’s the ‘30 days left for activation’ thing - the wizard couldn’t activate it online and told me to phone MS; I explained the situation and they said (in so many words) “Sorry, you’ve lost XP; you’ll have to buy it again”.
Hi there Mangetout
Product Activation enables software that’s purchased in their Retail or OEM form requires activation if you want to use the product beyonf the 30 day grace period.
Retail products have a product key. If you should lose said product key usually Microsoft can help you out.
OEM products are sold to the manufacturer who also gets a block of keys to use for installation. The OEM owns these keys and gives them out to their users. Microsoft cannot provide additional OEM keys to customers.
Your best bet might be to call your OEM and ask them for a replacement key and see what they can do for you.
On a side note Astro mentioned that Entrprise software doesn’t require activation. This is true for all volume license software because that software uses a special Volume License Key to install the product. This key bypasses activation. These Volume License Keys only work with the special Volume License Media and the keys can be traced back to the original owner as they are unique and assigned to companies when they purchse their volume license software. This tracability helps lessen people trying to “share” their volume license software with others.
[QUOTE=astro]
I’m sorry I didn’t answer your OP . The key gen programs only work on XP Pro enterprise versions (AFAIK). Without a valid serial key accessible to at least bootstrap the original install you might be SOL re pulling the ley off the CD. I have heard some people suggest that XP will install with any XP home or Pro install key, but it just won’t verify. I’ve never tried this. [ /QUOTE]
The Product Key just installs the software. The product key created a unique ID number called the Product ID Number (or PID). THis number, along with a smei-unique Hardware ID that is generated based on some high level system configuration data is what created your Indtallation ID. THe Installation ID is provided to Microsoft during activation. Using the PID and the semi-unique HW ID it can tell if this particular installtion is:
[ul]
[li]A New Installation[/li][li]A repeat installation on the same PC[/li][li]An installation of a currently “in-use” PID on a different machine[/li][/ul]
So in the case above, you could not use someone else’s Proeduct Key as it would cause situation #3 to occur and they system would be identified as in use by another computer.
[QUOTE=astro]
BTW the XP serial key is usually also pasted somewhere on a card or a manual in the docs. Might be worth a look. I’ve even seen them pasted on a sticker on the cardboard retail box itself.
If you call MS and read out the CD product ID #'s to them they will probably just give you a valid serial key over the phone. [ /QUOTE]
This is true some OEMs do provide this. As I suggested you might want to call the OEM.
Unfortunately, Microsoft cannot generate a new OEM key for you. Part of the legal OEM license requires all support of the OEM software to come from the OEM itself. This includes tech support, installation support and replacement of any disks, manuals and keys.
Closed at the request of the OP.
DrMatrix - GQ Moderator