WTF windows activation!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nvidiaguy07]

I've never had a problem re-installing windows on any computer/laptop. I've used the same version of XP on my last 3 complete builds. All ive ever had to do is call to activate and enter some numbers in. Ive even transferred OEM verisons of XP from broken laptop's to other builds with no problems at all.

Well i just fixed someones computer (gateway laptop) and while i was installing windows it wouldnt take my serial. It just kept saying invalid serial or something like that. I am 100% sure that i typed it correctly so i decided to forego entering it and just enter it later on.

Well it kept giving me the same error even when i did it in windows so i thought id just call them and have them straighten it out. From there they told me that i have to call gateway and have them do something and then i would have to call microsoft again to have them activate it. I couldn't even get a real person when i called gateway or i could choose to pay for support (yea right).

What is up with this? I just put a new hard drive in so im sure that probably why but this is the 2nd new hard drive im putting in. The first new hard drive didnt make me do all this.

Im close to just torrenting a crack for XP and if i get caught at least i have a valid lisence to make up for stealing one. Stupid microsoft...........

 

[tcsenter]

Ive even transferred OEM verisons of XP from broken laptop's to other builds with no problems at all.

Just consider this the one that makes up for the times you've pirated OEM software by transferring to another machine, which invalidates the OEM license. I'm sure you fully informed the owner that their license is not valid, though.

What media are you using to install? Retail, OEM System Builder, or some Gateway disc?

 

[lxskllr]

The key has to match the install media. RTM, SP1, SP2... all have specific keys.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
The key has to match the install media. RTM, SP1, SP2... all have specific keys.

Nope. The only SP that has unique key is SP2C for XP Professional. SP2C media is backwards compatible with the old keys, but pre-SP2C media won't accept the key issued for SP2C media.

OEM, corporate/volume, and retail are unique, but not service packs (with the one exception noted).

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

well heres the thing..... I just did this 2 weeks ago and everything was fine. I reinstalled windows with sp3 and used that key and it was good. Then i realized that the reason i was getting boot errors was that the hard drive was failing. So i got a new hard drive and now its giving me this. Maybe ill try my sp1 cd on it. i cant wait to reinstall the the service packs!

 

[Raincity]

Gateways are easy to install with the OS OEM media. Just extraxt the oembios files and install key from the Gateway install. Add oembios files to XP PRO OEM CD, burn cd and install without activation needed.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: lxskllr
The key has to match the install media. RTM, SP1, SP2... all have specific keys.

Nope. The only SP that has unique key is SP2C for XP Professional. SP2C media is backwards compatible with the old keys, but pre-SP2C media won't accept the key issued for SP2C media.

OEM, corporate/volume, and retail are unique, but not service packs (with the one exception noted).

I think I've had issues using a SP1 disc with a RTM key. I may be misremembering though, it's been awhile :^/

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Raincity
Gateways are easy to install with the OS OEM media. Just extraxt the oembios files and install key from the Gateway install. Add oembios files to XP PRO OEM CD, burn cd and install without activation needed.

:thumbsup:

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Originally posted by: Raincity
Gateways are easy to install with the OS OEM media. Just extraxt the oembios files and install key from the Gateway install. Add oembios files to XP PRO OEM CD, burn cd and install without activation needed.

how do i do this?

 

[Raincity]

Batch Code For oembios files File name = getfiles.bat

attrib -s %SystemRoot%\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\OEMBIOS.CAT
makecab %SystemRoot%\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\OEMBIOS.CAT
attrib +s %SystemRoot%\system32\CatRoot\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\OEMBIOS.CAT
makecab %SystemRoot%\system32\OEMBIOS.BIN
makecab %SystemRoot%\system32\OEMBIOS.DAT
makecab %SystemRoot%\system32\OEMBIOS.SIG
cscript //nologo getkey.vbs > winnt.sif

VBS Script for install key File name = getkey.vbs

Dim objFS, objShell
Dim strXPKey

Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

strXPKey = objShell.RegRead("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProductName")
If Len(strXPKey) > 0 Then
WScript.Echo "[UserData]"
WScript.Echo "ProductKey=" & chr(34) & GetKey(objShell.RegRead("HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId")) & chr(34)
WScript.Echo "[Data]"
WScript.Echo "MSDosInitiated=0"
WScript.Echo "UnattendedInstall=Yes"
End If

Function GetKey(rpk)
Const rpkOffset=52:i=28
szPossibleChars="BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
dwAccumulator=0 : j=14
Do
dwAccumulator=dwAccumulator*256
dwAccumulator=rpk(j+rpkOffset)+dwAccumulator
rpk(j+rpkOffset)=(dwAccumulator\24) and 255
dwAccumulator=dwAccumulator Mod 24
j=j-1
Loop While j>=0
i=i-1 : szProductKey=mid(szPossibleChars,dwAccumulator+1,1)&szProductKey
if (((29-i) Mod 6)=0) and (i<>-1) then
i=i-1 : szProductKey="-"&szProductKey
End If
Loop While i>=0
GetKey=szProductKey
End Function


Mods If I violated forum policy then I am truly sorry. This is not a crack or a method to defeat windows activation.

 

[tcsenter]

If you've already wiped out the OEM install, this won't work. You can restore the factory image then scavange the OEM files, or download a torrent of a Gateway install CD.