XP pro OEM: Activation

[Samsonid]

Hi all,

How can we tell if a Windows XP installation was from an OEM CD, or a retail CD, or a Corporate edition ? (without looking at the CD)

Alternatively, if we do look at the CD itself, how do we know if it is the OEM kind, or the retail, or corporate ?

 

[bruceb]

First Of all I like you to inform there are basically three versions of windows XP
Volume Licence ( without needing activation) just CD KEY for coporate clients or business environments... is the best of all three types
RETAIL (activation needed)
OEM (activation needed)

So which files describes Windows XP as Retail,Volume Licence or OEM (well I am not sure about corporate XP I didnt found any information regarding this Version What I have used is all above CDS just setupp.ini changing values in this files make Windows XP CD as volume licence , OEM , and Retail

see this wonderfull article

Unlocking WinXP's setupp.ini
http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html


WinXP's setupp.ini controls how the CD acts. IE is it an OEM version or retail? First, find your setupp.ini file in the i386 directory on your WinXP CD. Open it up, it'll look something like this:

ExtraData=707A667567736F696F697911AE7E05
Pid=55034000

The Pid value is what we're interested in. What's there now looks like a standard default. There are special numbers that determine if it's a retail, oem, or volume license edition. First, we break down that number into two parts. The first five digits determines how the CD will behave, ie is it a retail cd that lets you clean install or upgrade, or an oem cd that only lets you perform a clean install? The last three digits determines what CD key it will accept. You are able to mix and match these values. For example you could make a WinXP cd that acted like a retail cd, yet accepted OEM keys.

Now, for the actual values. Remember the first and last values are interchangable, but usually you'd keep them as a pair:

Retail = 51882 335
Volume License = 51883 270
OEM = 82503 OEM

So if you wanted a retail CD that took retail keys, the last line of your setupp.ini file would read:

Pid=51882335

And if you wanted a retail CD that took OEM keys, you'd use:

Pid=51882OEM

Note that this does NOT get rid of WinXP's activation. Changing the Pid to a Volume License will not bypass activation. You must have a volume license (corporate) key to do so.

For screenshots of the Retail, OEM, and Volume License installs, click
http://www.thetechguide.com/misc/winxp.html

One more thing changing a value in Setup.ini on windows 2000 Family (Servers, professional
just adding 270 at the end removes restriction for entering CD Key ,your CD becomes
Volume Licence try it your self

I have given this tip to Xcolleque in Switezerland he was able to make Retail CD of Windows XP to Volume Licence version but it requires you must have Volume Licence CD KEY

The above was from this link: http://bink.nu/forums/t/4688.aspx

 

[Samsonid]

WOW !!

What a thorough response. This so perfect. fantastic !

It seems I do have the corporate edition (as expected).

Thank you so much for the links and info.

 

[ViRGE]

You should report that to Microsoft; most of the time they have an offer going on where they will replace forged versions of Windows with legit copies. Distributing the VLK version as the OEM version, complete with all of the authenticity goods is forgery/counterfeiting, which isn't cool.

 

[RebateMonger]

Corporate versions of XP don't come with COA sticker. Something's weird here.

 

[bruceb]

What store did you buy it at ? ? ?
Was it advertised as OEM or Retail copy of XP Pro ? ? ?

Sounds like you got a great deal, if it is a real legit copy.