Copying windows to another box and activating it?

Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer than my
current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm using now.

My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data partition
onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the primary drive (and
the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a Dimension 4700, fwiw).

***I would use Acronis True Image Home 2011 which has an accessory
program, the Plus Pack, that will install different drivers to work
with the different hardware.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...age/#plus-pack
AFAIK, this is the only backup/restore program that will restore to
different hardware.

But the Dell already has a windows license, so I don't want to keep
using the retail license in the C partition. I want to use the Dell
license (and keep my retail license working on my current computer
which will now be a backup computer.)

Googling, most hits are about people who installed either with a
volume license or a leaked license, but fwiw, that's not me.

Those pages say one must deactivate windows by going to the registry
key they specify and changing one character.

Then run msoobe.exe. ("Out Of Box Experience" LOL)

In my situation, will it be necessary to deactivate first?
Yes, right?

Do I have to run msoobe.exe or will it somehow magically know the
product key from the CMOS or something?
I have to run msoobe, right?

When I run msoobe, if I choose activate over the net (or the phone),
should it let me just enter the Dell Product Key?

And I'm done????

Am I skipping something big?


P.S. Right now on the current computer, when I click on msoobe.exe,
nothing happens afaict. Maybe that's because my XP is activated and
doesn't need activation??

(I was also going to copy the the win98 partition to a 3rd partition
on the new HDD and run that under MS Virtual Windows. There's no rush
about that, but it shoudl work, right?)

Thanks.

On Tue, 03 May 2011 20:44:14 -0400, mm <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>
>Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer than my
>current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm using now.
>
>My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data partition
>onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the primary drive (and
>the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>***I would use Acronis True Image Home 2011 which has an accessory
>program, the Plus Pack, that will install different drivers to work
>with the different hardware.
>http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...age/#plus-pack
>AFAIK, this is the only backup/restore program that will restore to
>different hardware.
>
>But the Dell already has a windows license, so I don't want to keep
>using the retail license in the C partition. I want to use the Dell
>license (and keep my retail license working on my current computer
>which will now be a backup computer.)
>
>Googling, most hits are about people who installed either with a
>volume license or a leaked license, but fwiw, that's not me.
>
>Those pages say one must deactivate windows by going to the registry
>key they specify and changing one character.
>
>Then run msoobe.exe. ("Out Of Box Experience" LOL)

On another page, I read about the Windows Product Key Update Tool
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409

KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe

IIUC, this seems even simpler. Just run this and enter the Dell
25-character Product Key. It says you have to then activate windows,
but given that windows is activated for all the hardware except the
new HDD, maybe it won't even ask for that. At any rate, it will tell
me what to do then.

Is it going to be this simple?

>In my situation, will it be necessary to deactivate first?
> Yes, right?
>
>Do I have to run msoobe.exe or will it somehow magically know the
>product key from the CMOS or something?
> I have to run msoobe, right?
>
>When I run msoobe, if I choose activate over the net (or the phone),
>should it let me just enter the Dell Product Key?
>
>And I'm done????
>
>Am I skipping something big?
>....
>
>
>Thanks.

On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>
> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer than my
> current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm using now.
>
> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data partition
> onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the primary drive (and
> the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>


<snip>

nope

If you take XP from one machine...
due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
if you put in on a second machine

On Wed, 04 May 2011 13:06:14 +0200, Alias
<(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:

>On 05/04/2011 01:01 PM, philo wrote:
>> On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
>>> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>>>
>>> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer than my
>>> current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm using now.
>>>
>>> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data partition
>>> onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the primary drive (and
>>> the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>>>
>>
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> nope
>>
>> If you take XP from one machine...
>> due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
>> if you put in on a second machine
>
>Unless they are identical machines. I replaced a motherboard once with
>the exact same model and XP didn't even burp.
>
>The OP does have two different machines and should clean install XP on
>the new one.

But what about what it says here http://kb.acronis.com/content/13671

Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
device drivers into the system.

It installs boot device drivers (e.g. hard drive or RAID controller
drivers) into the system during the recovery process, so that the
operating system can boot from this boot device. If there are proper
NIC drivers present in the folder with the drivers, Acronis Universal
Restore will copy them into the restored system and will schedule
their installation on Windows boot-up.

(!) All the other drivers (e.g. video and sound card drivers, plug and
play drivers) are not installed by Acronis Universal Restore, as they
can be installed in Windows after the successful migration.

Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:

* Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware;
* Migration to a machine with dissimilar hardware;
* Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for
system recovery, testing and other purposes.

On Wed, 04 May 2011 20:01:42 +0200, Alias
<(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:

>On 05/04/2011 07:50 PM, mm wrote:
>> On Wed, 04 May 2011 13:06:14 +0200, Alias
>> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>>
>>> On 05/04/2011 01:01 PM, philo wrote:
>>>> On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
>>>>> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>>>>>
>>>>> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer than my
>>>>> current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm using now.
>>>>>
>>>>> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data partition
>>>>> onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the primary drive (and
>>>>> the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> nope
>>>>
>>>> If you take XP from one machine...
>>>> due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
>>>> if you put in on a second machine
>>>
>>> Unless they are identical machines. I replaced a motherboard once with
>>> the exact same model and XP didn't even burp.
>>>
>>> The OP does have two different machines and should clean install XP on
>>> the new one.
>>
>> But what about what it says here http://kb.acronis.com/content/13671
>>
>> Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
>> Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
>> device drivers into the system.
>>
>> It installs boot device drivers (e.g. hard drive or RAID controller
>> drivers) into the system during the recovery process, so that the
>> operating system can boot from this boot device. If there are proper
>> NIC drivers present in the folder with the drivers, Acronis Universal
>> Restore will copy them into the restored system and will schedule
>> their installation on Windows boot-up.
>>
>> (!) All the other drivers (e.g. video and sound card drivers, plug and
>> play drivers) are not installed by Acronis Universal Restore, as they
>> can be installed in Windows after the successful migration.
>>
>> Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:
>>
>> * Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware;
>> * Migration to a machine with dissimilar hardware;
>> * Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for
>> system recovery, testing and other purposes.
>>
>>
>>
>
>Looks good. Go for it.

Thanks. It will be a few weeks before I can let you know how well it
works.

What did you think about the question in the original post, about
changing the XP Product Key from what will be on the clone of my
current computer to the Key that goes with the newer Dell?

Either 1) deactivating windows by going to the registry key they
specify and changing one character. Then running msoobe.exe.

On 2) running Windows Product Key Update Tool KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409


Two seems even simpler than One. Just run it and enter the Dell
25-character Product Key.

Is it going to be this simple?

mm wrote:
> On Wed, 04 May 2011 20:01:42 +0200, Alias
> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>
>> On 05/04/2011 07:50 PM, mm wrote:
>>> On Wed, 04 May 2011 13:06:14 +0200, Alias
>>> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 05/04/2011 01:01 PM, philo wrote:
>>>>> On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
>>>>>> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer
>>>>>> than my current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm
>>>>>> using now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data
>>>>>> partition onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the
>>>>>> primary drive (and the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a
>>>>>> Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>
>>>>> nope
>>>>>
>>>>> If you take XP from one machine...
>>>>> due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
>>>>> if you put in on a second machine
>>>>
>>>> Unless they are identical machines. I replaced a motherboard once
>>>> with the exact same model and XP didn't even burp.
>>>>
>>>> The OP does have two different machines and should clean install
>>>> XP on the new one.
>>>
>>> But what about what it says here http://kb.acronis.com/content/13671
>>>
>>> Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
>>> Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
>>> device drivers into the system.
>>>
>>> It installs boot device drivers (e.g. hard drive or RAID controller
>>> drivers) into the system during the recovery process, so that the
>>> operating system can boot from this boot device. If there are proper
>>> NIC drivers present in the folder with the drivers, Acronis
>>> Universal Restore will copy them into the restored system and will
>>> schedule their installation on Windows boot-up.
>>>
>>> (!) All the other drivers (e.g. video and sound card drivers, plug
>>> and play drivers) are not installed by Acronis Universal Restore,
>>> as they can be installed in Windows after the successful migration.
>>>
>>> Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:
>>>
>>> * Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware;
>>> * Migration to a machine with dissimilar hardware;
>>> * Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for
>>> system recovery, testing and other purposes.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Looks good. Go for it.
>
> Thanks. It will be a few weeks before I can let you know how well it
> works.
>
> What did you think about the question in the original post, about
> changing the XP Product Key from what will be on the clone of my
> current computer to the Key that goes with the newer Dell?
>
> Either 1) deactivating windows by going to the registry key they
> specify and changing one character. Then running msoobe.exe.
>
> On 2) running Windows Product Key Update Tool KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409
>
>
> Two seems even simpler than One. Just run it and enter the Dell
> 25-character Product Key.
>
> Is it going to be this simple?

I doubt very much it would work at first. The Dell key is OEM, which
won't work with a Retail license/type unless you edit the setupp.ini
file:

http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html

But I think a Clean Install using a Dell XP Home installation CD would
be preferable.

In news:(E-Mail Removed),
mm wrote:
> On Wed, 04 May 2011 13:06:14 +0200, Alias
> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>
>> On 05/04/2011 01:01 PM, philo wrote:
>>> On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
>>>> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>>>>
>>>> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer
>>>> than my current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm
>>>> using now.
>>>>
>>>> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data partition
>>>> onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the primary drive (and
>>>> the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <snip>
>>>
>>> nope
>>>
>>> If you take XP from one machine...
>>> due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
>>> if you put in on a second machine
>>
>> Unless they are identical machines. I replaced a motherboard once
>> with the exact same model and XP didn't even burp.
>>
>> The OP does have two different machines and should clean install XP
>> on the new one.
>
> But what about what it says here http://kb.acronis.com/content/13671
>
> Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
> Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
> device drivers into the system.
>
> It installs boot device drivers (e.g. hard drive or RAID controller
> drivers) into the system during the recovery process, so that the
> operating system can boot from this boot device. If there are proper
> NIC drivers present in the folder with the drivers, Acronis Universal
> Restore will copy them into the restored system and will schedule
> their installation on Windows boot-up.
>
> (!) All the other drivers (e.g. video and sound card drivers, plug and
> play drivers) are not installed by Acronis Universal Restore, as they
> can be installed in Windows after the successful migration.
>
> Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:
>
> * Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware;
> * Migration to a machine with dissimilar hardware;
> * Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for
> system recovery, testing and other purposes.

Don't forget about Paragon's Adaptive Restore. Might also be available
in Paragon's free versions, I am not sure. As it plugs in all of the
generic drivers, so the restore can run on any computer. And once you
boot up, Windows starts to find better drivers and starts to install
them on first boot.

I also have Acronis True Image. But Acronis Universal Restore requires
Acronis True Image Plus, which isn't cheap.

--
Bill
Gateway M465e ('06 era) - OE-QuoteFix v1.19.2
Centrino Core Duo 1.83G - 2GB - Windows XP SP3

"Daave" <(E-Mail Removed)> écrivait news:ipt2d1$u72$(E-Mail Removed):

> mm wrote:
>> On Wed, 04 May 2011 20:01:42 +0200, Alias
>> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>>
>>> On 05/04/2011 07:50 PM, mm wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 04 May 2011 13:06:14 +0200, Alias
>>>> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 05/04/2011 01:01 PM, philo wrote:
>>>>>> On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
>>>>>>> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer
>>>>>>> than my current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm
>>>>>>> using now.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data
>>>>>>> partition onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the
>>>>>>> primary drive (and the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a
>>>>>>> Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> nope
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you take XP from one machine...
>>>>>> due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
>>>>>> if you put in on a second machine
>>>>>
>>>>> Unless they are identical machines. I replaced a motherboard once
>>>>> with the exact same model and XP didn't even burp.
>>>>>
>>>>> The OP does have two different machines and should clean install
>>>>> XP on the new one.
>>>>
>>>> But what about what it says here http://kb.acronis.com/content/13671
>>>>
>>>> Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
>>>> Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
>>>> device drivers into the system.
>>>>
>>>> It installs boot device drivers (e.g. hard drive or RAID controller
>>>> drivers) into the system during the recovery process, so that the
>>>> operating system can boot from this boot device. If there are proper
>>>> NIC drivers present in the folder with the drivers, Acronis
>>>> Universal Restore will copy them into the restored system and will
>>>> schedule their installation on Windows boot-up.
>>>>
>>>> (!) All the other drivers (e.g. video and sound card drivers, plug
>>>> and play drivers) are not installed by Acronis Universal Restore,
>>>> as they can be installed in Windows after the successful migration.
>>>>
>>>> Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:
>>>>
>>>> * Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware;
>>>> * Migration to a machine with dissimilar hardware;
>>>> * Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for
>>>> system recovery, testing and other purposes.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Looks good. Go for it.
>>
>> Thanks. It will be a few weeks before I can let you know how well it
>> works.
>>
>> What did you think about the question in the original post, about
>> changing the XP Product Key from what will be on the clone of my
>> current computer to the Key that goes with the newer Dell?
>>
>> Either 1) deactivating windows by going to the registry key they
>> specify and changing one character. Then running msoobe.exe.
>>
>> On 2) running Windows Product Key Update Tool KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409
>>
>>
>> Two seems even simpler than One. Just run it and enter the Dell
>> 25-character Product Key.
>>
>> Is it going to be this simple?
>
> I doubt very much it would work at first. The Dell key is OEM, which
> won't work with a Retail license/type unless you edit the setupp.ini
> file:
>
> http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html
>
> But I think a Clean Install using a Dell XP Home installation CD would
> be preferable.
>
>
>

A generic OEM CD would work too with the Dell key.

"mm" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

>>> Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
>>> Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
>>> device drivers into the system. . . .

> Thanks. It will be a few weeks before I can let you know how well it
> works.
>
> What did you think about the question in the original post, about
> changing the XP Product Key from what will be on the clone of my
> current computer to the Key that goes with the newer Dell?

If you use the Acronis clone app, you will not need to
input a new or old product key. (But you should later have
a look at it via / Control Panel / System..)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On Wed, 4 May 2011 22:35:11 -0400, "Daave" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>mm wrote:
>> On Wed, 04 May 2011 20:01:42 +0200, Alias
>> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>>
>>> On 05/04/2011 07:50 PM, mm wrote:
>>>> On Wed, 04 May 2011 13:06:14 +0200, Alias
>>>> <(E-Mail Removed).¡nval¡d> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 05/04/2011 01:01 PM, philo wrote:
>>>>>> On 05/03/2011 07:44 PM, mm wrote:
>>>>>>> Copying windows to another box and activating it?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Now I have been given an old Dell PC that is still a lot newer
>>>>>>> than my current mobo, and it is licensed for XP-home, which I'm
>>>>>>> using now.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My plan (LOL) is to clone*** my XP partition and my data
>>>>>>> partition onto a new, big HDD, and install that HDD as the
>>>>>>> primary drive (and the only one at first) in the Dell PC (a
>>>>>>> Dimension 4700, fwiw).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <snip>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> nope
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you take XP from one machine...
>>>>>> due to the different hardware, it's not likely to even boot
>>>>>> if you put in on a second machine
>>>>>
>>>>> Unless they are identical machines. I replaced a motherboard once
>>>>> with the exact same model and XP didn't even burp.
>>>>>
>>>>> The OP does have two different machines and should clean install
>>>>> XP on the new one.
>>>>
>>>> But what about what it says here http://kb.acronis.com/content/13671
>>>>
>>>> Acronis Universal Restore is a module that allows changing Windows
>>>> Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL.dll) and install mass storage boot
>>>> device drivers into the system.
>>>>
>>>> It installs boot device drivers (e.g. hard drive or RAID controller
>>>> drivers) into the system during the recovery process, so that the
>>>> operating system can boot from this boot device. If there are proper
>>>> NIC drivers present in the folder with the drivers, Acronis
>>>> Universal Restore will copy them into the restored system and will
>>>> schedule their installation on Windows boot-up.
>>>>
>>>> (!) All the other drivers (e.g. video and sound card drivers, plug
>>>> and play drivers) are not installed by Acronis Universal Restore,
>>>> as they can be installed in Windows after the successful migration.
>>>>
>>>> Acronis Universal Restore is applicable for:
>>>>
>>>> * Instant recovery of a failed system on different hardware;
>>>> * Migration to a machine with dissimilar hardware;
>>>> * Real-to-virtual and virtual-to-real computer migration for
>>>> system recovery, testing and other purposes.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Looks good. Go for it.
>>
>> Thanks. It will be a few weeks before I can let you know how well it
>> works.
>>
>> What did you think about the question in the original post, about
>> changing the XP Product Key from what will be on the clone of my
>> current computer to the Key that goes with the newer Dell?
>>
>> Either 1) deactivating windows by going to the registry key they
>> specify and changing one character. Then running msoobe.exe.
>>
>> On 2) running Windows Product Key Update Tool KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...46&clcid=0x409
>>
>>
>> Two seems even simpler than One. Just run it and enter the Dell
>> 25-character Product Key.
>>
>> Is it going to be this simple?
>
>I doubt very much it would work at first. The Dell key is OEM, which
>won't work with a Retail license/type unless you edit the setupp.ini
>file:
>
>http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html

Thanks. Wow. I never even heard of this file. (MS should give us a
list of files. Oh, wait....)

I looked at my older install CD's and the files were very similar.
Didn't know what they meant before.

>But I think a Clean Install using a Dell XP Home installation CD would
>be preferable.
>