Windows XP Activation

[apctec]

One of the only things I liked about winxp, is as long as you had the COA, you could use any disc for that version of COA you wanted, 4 year old COA's worked with brand new winxp SP2 discs, no matter where it came from.

Now it seems, that has changed. If you install XP with a non-Factory restore CD, be it Dell, Toshiba etc, it will allow you to input the code, but when it comes time to activate, it fails, you have to call MS to get a new code, a major f***ing pain in my ass.

Anyone familiar with this? Any work arounds? I am about to go insane with this BS.

We sell lots of Microsoft OS's and office suites, and re-install windows often when a Harddrive crashes or something else crashes windows on a variety of machines. These are 100% legit and legal.

 

[imported_LoKe]

You can call MS and get a new code? I have one that came with my Dell that won't activate anymore, I can get a new one?

 

[Bucks]

yeah, as long as they are legit, all you have to do is call them and read off your key and they will give you a new code. It takes like 2 mins.

 

[zagood]

Yeah, it's a minor PITA, but not too bad. Had to do it when I upgraded processor, mobo and VGA at the same time. Just a lot of numbers to read to an automated system.

-z

 

[Andres3605]

I did it with my retail copy when i changed my cpu/board, just put all the numbers, it could have been worse.

 

[modedepe]

In the past I've had to talk to a person in India after the automated system couldn't verify my code when reinstalling. Kind of a PITA. I don't even know the point is. I don't think they can do much to verify you aren't doing multiple installs with one code or anything of that nature.

 

[apctec]

I work in a PC shop, I have to do this several to many times a week with customers machines.

There has to be a better way.

 

[zagood]

Oooooooooh...just realized you were working with preconfigured systems. Check this whitepaper:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/oempreac.mspx

-z

 

[apctec]

Hmmm, zag, that looks like some good info. Thank you.

 

[apctec]

This is frustraing, I am learning lots about OEM royal user activation, but no solution to my problem. Any other thoughts?

This article covers it well, but no solution: http://www.edbott.com/weblog/archives/000506.html

 

[bamacre]

I have a dell, so I never have to register nor activate the OS.

 

[apctec]

I have a dell, so I never have to register nor activate the OS.

Lose or crack your original CD and see what happens... but thanks for adding such a valuable contribution to this thread.

 

[RaiderJ]

So can I transfer my XP Home on a Dell I have to another machine using this?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: apctec

I have a dell, so I never have to register nor activate the OS.

Lose or crack your original CD and see what happens... but thanks for adding such a valuable contribution to this thread.

I have backup copies, home, mce, and pro.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: RaiderJ
So can I transfer my XP Home on a Dell I have to another machine using this?

If you have a Dell branded installation CD, it will work in any (newer) Dell system, and it will not need activation.

 

[apctec]

Any other input on this crazy OEM XP activation scheme they have?