Windows Activation snafu

[RyanM]

So I had a client with a computer which needed some serious upgrades. Motherboard, CPU, RAM, Videocard, the whole shebang. About the only things that stayed were the chassis and the hard drive. A clean install was not an option in the least, they wanted file structures, program installs, everything to be intact. Okay, that's fine, that's what repair installs are for.

One problem - They lost their original XP disc. This was a retail XP home disc, circa 2004 or 2005. SP1, if memory serves.

Now, I thought this wouldn't be a problem. I had a situation once where I had to do an upgrade install on a system, but only had an OEM disc, and I was able to modify the setupp.ini file to make it into a retail disc that accepted OEM serials. The install went without a hitch, and activation worked fine as well.

Well this was vice versa, again, I had an OEM disc, but it was SP2, and it needed to be a retail disc and accept retail keys. Now, hypothetically, I should've been able to modify the setupp.ini like before, but make it into a pure retail disc.

I did this, did the repair install, and it booted up perfectly, except activation didn't work. I called Microsoft. Spent over SIX hours on the phone with them.

The end result is they can't ship me a disc, and without the code ON the disc, they can't figure out a serial number to issue me which will work properly. Now, this wouldn't be an issue if this activation crap didn't exist; the installer ACCEPTED the serial number I have the first time through, it's the Installation ID its generating that's messed up.

I ended up offering to take the retail XP copy off the client in exchange for an OEM one, taking the risk of not being able to get it working against the intrinsically more valuable nature of a full retail copy of XP Home.

So the question is, at this point, how do I go about getting this thing to work without the disc?

 

[pcgeek11]

One problem - They lost their original XP disc. This was a retail XP home disc.

This is the problem here, things were made worse by trying to avoid the root of the entire issue... the missing disk. You should have informed the client that they need to

A) Get the disk that is required in order to do this properly. Even if they have to "gasp" purchase another copy... There I said it. Really they lost it, they should buy another copy. What did they expect.

B) Take the PC to another tech.

I know none of this is helping you right now... Surely you know someone that has a retail XP Disk... Borrow the disk and do a repair install properly, with the correct disk. It should work. You do have the correct Home Retail CD Key right?

If they still have the COA, they should be able to "aquire" a Home Retail CD from somewhere...

I work on a lot of PC's and it is crazy what people expect you to do. Just make it work you are the tech... Crazy people.

I've also seen more than my share of illegal XP copies... I just tell them to purchase or take the PC Back. Not worth the trouble.

I just hope you are charging them enough $$$$$

So the question is, at this point, how do I go about getting this thing to work without the disc?

I don't think you can and stay legit.

pcgeek

 

[John]

Originally posted by: MachFive
So the question is, at this point, how do I go about getting this thing to work without the disc?

1) Since you offered to swap your OEM XP Home for their retail XP Home COA only you both are in violation of the EULA. 😛

2) There are a couple of ways to acquire the original retail XP Home cd, and they are mentioned in the previous post.

 

[RyanM]

I know none of this is helping you right now... Surely you know someone that has a retail XP Disk... Borrow the disk and do a repair install properly, with the correct disk. It should work. You do have the correct Home Retail CD Key right?

If they still have the COA, they should be able to "aquire" a Home Retail CD from somewhere...

I guess I should've been crystal clear in the previous post.

They have the box.
They have the COA.
They have the fact that even on the phone 6 hours with Microsoft, they never suggested it was a compromised serial key.

So yes, it is a legitimate copy.

Now the problem as I see it is that the serial was included with a copy of XP Home Sp1. The ONLY explanation why the setupp.ini modification wasn't working is that it was from an SP2 disc but we had a SP1 serial key. There must be something distinct in the way Windows decodes those things so the serial numers will only generate valid Install IDs when the serials match the Windows version type. Having modified setupp.ini before to do an install of an OEM copy in a retail fashion, I'm pretty confident of this.

Anyways, the job is done, the client's got their computer working, they're happy, I got compensated satisfactorily, all things considered, but I would love it if I now have a copy of XP Home retail on hand to sell down the line or use myself.

I just noticed inside the COA documents a little thing that says: CD Set - X09-66535. I'm starting to think this is the info they needed off the missing disc.

As for "acquiring" a copy of XP Home retail from somewhere, I've read the fine print on this forum, so I know that:

1. I CAN'T ask someone to PM me about borrowing/getting a copy of a XP disc
2. I CAN'T offer to pay someone to PM me about borrowing/getting a copy of an XP disc
3. I CAN'T buy just an XP disc anywhere, ebay included.

So I'm fresh out of ideas.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: MachFive
So the question is, at this point, how do I go about getting this thing to work without the disc?

1) Since you offered to swap your OEM XP Home for their retail XP Home COA only you both are in violation of the EULA. 😛

2) There are a couple of ways to acquire the original retail XP Home cd, and they are mentioned in the previous post.

No EULA has ever stood up to a court challenge, so as far as I'm concerned, they're not worth the bits they're stored on.

That said, I technically sold them a copy of XP Home OEM with a bunch of hardware, and they gave me their XP Retail (which happened to be missing the CD) for free, so we're both in the clear. 😉

 

[mechBgon]

I just noticed inside the COA documents a little thing that says: CD Set - X09-66535. I'm starting to think this is the info they needed off the missing disc.

Yep. Call them and get your disc. That Xblah-blahblah number should be what they're after.

 

[RebateMonger]

I've never gotten the setupp.ini thing to work. It may have at one time, but that time is long past. You will be able to install, but not Activate.

As pointed out many times in this Forum, the best solution is to acquire the proper Install CD. Microsoft has a replacement media program, as do SOME OEMs. Trying to fudge on the source CD can make repair VERY messy.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

I just noticed inside the COA documents a little thing that says: CD Set - X09-66535. I'm starting to think this is the info they needed off the missing disc.

Yep. Call them and get your disc. That Xblah-blahblah number should be what they're after.

That's definitely on my to-do list for monday.

If only I'd had these documents when I spent the 6 hours on the phone with them. Gar.

Thanks!

 

[cubby1223]

I've done a repair install of a retail copy with an oem disk, and it accepted the original retail to enter & activate.

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
I've done a repair install of a retail copy with an oem disk, and it accepted the original retail to enter & activate.

About how long ago was this? I did the setupp.ini mod about a two years ago, and some people seem to be suggesting that Microsoft changed some activation criteria to lock out these sorts of mods.