WinXP Validation question

[LouPoir]

I do a lot of PC work for people. I end up having to re-install WinXp on quite a few machines. No one ever has the original CD's with the OS. I use a copy of an oem version, change the CD key after install from the COA on the PC and then go through the telephone verification process. You know. call those folks in India - yada yada.

Since I always use the same oem CD, although I change the CD key and go through the official phone validation process, will this come back to haunt me down the road.

Call from a customer complaining about a forged OS??


Lou

 

[btcomm1]

As far as I am aware no it should not. I fix peoples computers as well and I've never heard of any problem with it getting unvalidated once it has gone through.

 

[John]

Lou, to me it sounds like you're using an OEM version with a VLK imbedded inside. This is typically what Dell and other OEM mfg's use to avoid activation. If you're servicing pc's you may want to consider using a non-mfg branded OEM cd like the kind you get from Newegg and use the customer's product key during the install. This would prevent the "counterfit" software message from appearing or any other genuine advantage hurdle.

 

[RebateMonger]

Here's Microsoft's policy on re-installing an OS on a direct OEM-built computer (such as a Dell). This is from MS's OEM Partner web site:

"Q. If I need to reinstall the operating system on a machine from a direct
OEM (for example Dell) that my customer has brought in, how should I do this?

A. If your customer wants you to reinstall Windows on their behalf, they
must provide the recovery media they received from the direct OEM because
this is the software that is licensed to the customer for use on that PC by
that OEM. You cannot use your own OEM system builder media to reinstall the
operating system, or any other version of media (for example TechNet, MSDN,
Action Pack, etc.) as these versions differ from the original OEM Windows
license your customer acquired from the direct OEM, and thus can?t be
substituted for that original license. If your customer did not originally
receive a backup copy of the software that can be used for reinstallation, or
if they no longer have it, they will need to contact the original OEM and
request replacement recovery media; you may use that media to reinstall the
operating system on that machine."

And, yes, I know it's stupid.

What do your clients do the next time they need re-installation? They still need to obtain an original OEM XP Install CD or buy a new copy of XP.

 

[Butterbean]

What a PITA that Activation is. I reinstalled XP (Newegg OEM) on my own new build and they locked me out of update until I reactivated again. It was about 2 AM and I was reciting a number about as big as a dozen SSN's together to some woman I couldn't even understand. M$ obviously wants that process to be hard and memorable

 

[pcgeek11]

And, yes, I know it's stupid.

A. If your customer wants you to reinstall Windows on their behalf, they
must provide the recovery media they received from the direct OEM because
this is the software that is licensed to the customer for use on that PC by
that OEM. You cannot use your own OEM system builder media to reinstall the
operating system, or any other version of media (for example TechNet, MSDN,
Action Pack, etc.) as these versions differ from the original OEM Windows
license your customer acquired from the direct OEM, and thus can?t be
substituted for that original license. If your customer did not originally
receive a backup copy of the software that can be used for reinstallation, or
if they no longer have it, they will need to contact the original OEM and
request replacement recovery media; you may use that media to reinstall the
operating system on that machine.

It is nearly impossible to explain the above to the customers... and keep a straight face. I hate it but since WGA I will not install a system unless the customer brings the disk or a new one with a license. They b*tch about it but what else can they do, take it to Best Buy and let those retards loose on it... Ha!

pcgeek11

 

[John]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Here's Microsoft's policy on re-installing an OS on a direct OEM-built computer (such as a Dell). This is from MS's OEM Partner web site:

"Q. If I need to reinstall the operating system on a machine from a direct
OEM (for example Dell) that my customer has brought in, how should I do this?

A. If your customer wants you to reinstall Windows on their behalf, they
must provide the recovery media they received from the direct OEM because
this is the software that is licensed to the customer for use on that PC by
that OEM. You cannot use your own OEM system builder media to reinstall the
operating system, or any other version of media (for example TechNet, MSDN,
Action Pack, etc.) as these versions differ from the original OEM Windows
license your customer acquired from the direct OEM, and thus can?t be
substituted for that original license. If your customer did not originally
receive a backup copy of the software that can be used for reinstallation, or
if they no longer have it, they will need to contact the original OEM and
request replacement recovery media; you may use that media to reinstall the
operating system on that machine."

And, yes, I know it's stupid.

What do your clients do the next time they need re-installation? They still need to obtain an original OEM XP Install CD or buy a new copy of XP.

The reason you cannot use TechNet, MSDN, Action Pack, etc. is because the OEM product key will not work anyhow. In addition if the customer only has a retail product key you need to use the appropriate media for reinstall since an OEM cd will fail to work. Using a true "OEM DSP" cd with the end users OEM product key (assigned to the system that it shipped with) is perfectly legal, will activate over the phone, and of course it will pass WGA. Notice the FAQ only applies to a specific mfg. and not a white box pc with an "OEM DSP" product key and media. This is because Dell and other OEM mfg's use an imbedded VLK that doesn't require activation even though they have a true OEM product key attached to the chassis. When MS started killing OEM activations a lot of imbedded VLK were failing WGA so you had to change the key to the OEM one on chassis.

Considering the fact that Dell, Acer, and a handful of other OEM's don't even ship any cd's with the system anymore I'll continue using my DSP cd's along with the customers OEM key that shipped with the system.