activation?

[***** charles]

Hi all,

I have seen installs of XP that do not require activation.
Most of the versions with which I have experience are
the oem's. They all seem to require activation so I am
currious, which ones do not need to execute that
function? Student, corporate, Compaq oem's, any
others?

thanks,
charles.....

 

[WM]

There are three types of Windows media.

Volume
Retail
OEM

Volume is the only one that never requires activation. OEM does not require
activation if the OEM is using SLP. Retail always requires activation.

 

[Ron Martell]

There are three types of Windows media.

Volume
Retail
OEM

Volume is the only one that never requires activation. OEM does not require
activation if the OEM is using SLP. Retail always requires activation.

OEM versions using SLP do not require activation *provided* they are
installed on a computer from that specific OEM.

SLP versions are also often referred to as "BIOS locked".

As of 1 March 2005 OEM versions using SLP cannot be activated on a
different motherboard unless that motherboard was provided by the
original OEM as a warranty replacement.

Prior to 1 March 2005 these version could be activated in the same way
as a retail version if the motherboard/BIOS was changed.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[***** charles]

What is SLP?

OEM versions using SLP do not require activation *provided* they are
installed on a computer from that specific OEM.

SLP versions are also often referred to as "BIOS locked".

As of 1 March 2005 OEM versions using SLP cannot be activated on a
different motherboard unless that motherboard was provided by the
original OEM as a warranty replacement.

Prior to 1 March 2005 these version could be activated in the same way
as a retail version if the motherboard/BIOS was changed.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Ron Martell]

What is SLP?

System Locked Pre-installation

The following is from
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

"SLP uses information stored in an OEM PC’s BIOS to protect the
installation from casual piracy. No communication by the end customer
to Microsoft is required and no hardware hash is created or necessary.
At boot, Windows XP compares the PC’s BIOS to the SLP information. If
it matches, no activation is required.

Every single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP and
no reactivation would be required – even the motherboard could be
replaced as long as the replacement motherboard was original equipment
manufactured by the OEM and retained the proper BIOS."

Hope this is the information you were looking for.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm