Any XP license-savvy MVPs (or MSFT) out there?

[SI]

I have several fully-licensed, unused packages of the
original release of WinXPpro and want to install them on
some brand new computers. My experience in installing XP
from this vintage release has been unpleasant at best.

I have one fully-licensed copy of a post-SP1 release of
WinXPpro that contains all of the SP1 updates. I've
allready successfully (flawlessly!) installed and
activated this on one computer. This went so well I hoped
to replicate this process on the remaining machines.

What I was hoping to do was to use this post-SP1 CD to
get "squeaky-clean" installs (without having to apply the
SP1 or SP1a patches) of WinXPproSP1 on the remaining new
machines, and then apply the appropriate pre-SP1 license
keys.

Problem is, when I tried to do this, the install rejected
all of the pre-SP1 keys. It would only accept the key of
the post-SP1 CD.

Hoping I could change to the appropriate key during
activation, I continued the process. Unfortunately
internet activation didn't give me the opportunity to
change the key to the correct one and refused to grant
activation.

When I called the activation line I tried to explain the
situation to the agent, but they either didn't understand
what I was trying to do or were concerned I was trying to
defeat the process. Their solution was to start over with
the original pre-SP1 CDs, activate them, and then apply
the SP1 or SP1a patch - exactly the pain in the arse I
was trying to avoid.

So, do any of you know of an appropriate method to
convince the install that my pre-SP1 licenses are fully,
legally valid.

It would greatly simplify and reduce the time to complete
these installations.

Thanks,

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Reinstall the machines using the patches SP1 CD and the SP1 key that works.
Then go to activate BUT press the button the activate via telephone.
From there press the button to change the Activation Key.
Enter the unique for that machine and then back out of the telephone
activation.
Now activate via the Internet.

If the key is not accepted then you will have to do the original install and
apply SP1a later.
--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[SI]

Thank you Mike, I was hoping you were still online.

I'll certainly give that a try, but if memory serves,
when I attempted to "change key" the <next> screen came
back with an error, I think instructing me to call the
activation telephone number.

Is the process that you're suggesting that I can enter
the new key and, instead of <next>, hit <back> and go via
internet? (that the key I input will stay in place for
the on-line process?)

Else, is there some way I can copy the "new" post-SP1 to
my hard drive and install from there?

I'm surprised that I have this problem, because, of the
original batch that we installed on machines, we were
able to use the same CD and enter the appropriate key for
each license we had. Unfortunately the remaining pre-SP1
copies are too old to exchange.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Hi Si,

I cant remember the exact process without installing another PC.
But you are pretty much correct, you get to activate via telephone and
there is a button and some warning about only do this if told to. I think it
is marked as Change Product Key.
You then press what ever button will accept that and then cancel back to
activate by the Internet instead.

If when you press whatever button you go to move forward after you have
typed in the unique key for that machine it throws an error a few things are
possible.

You have a mixture of OEM Key and Retail (blue cardboard box ) CD or a
Retail Key and OEM Media (CD in a paper sleeve or plain jewel case.) You
cannot use the wrong type of key with the wrong media.
or
Your Patched SP1 CD is a Volume Licensed CD (possibly a pirate, possibly
not) and again you are using the wrong key type (VL Media needs VL keys)

Anything else is getting into weird issue time.

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[SI]

Thanks again, Mike.

I think you hit the nail on the head.

Yes, all of the "old" XPpro's are genuine and have
the "real" COA stickers with valid license keys.

BUT, the one post-SP1 copy I have is an NFR that I got
mailed to me directly from MS for having attended a
recent System Builder seminar. I installed that one on my
own machine (a big YEAH to MS for such a marked
improvement in the install!). This one came in jewel case
with no COA, just the orange PK on the back of the case.

I think you've ID'd the problem.

In any case, I might try your suggestion (once) in the
great hope that I can avoid those "early" install issues.

Else, I'll plan on some long nights ahead ...

Thanks again!

 

[D.Currie]

You could use one of your older CDs to make a slipstreamed version with SP1
and then install from that. The key from NFR (which is likely OEM) isn't
compatible with the retail ones you have. It has nothing to do with SP1.

 

[Star Fleet Admiral Q]

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?object=article.cfm&id=160

http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/winxp-sp1-bootcd.html

http://www.duspinnst.com/bootcd.htm

 

[D.Currie]

SFAQ:
Many thanks for the links, I'll give this a try.

However, this makes me wonder why, since MS supports
slipstreaming, MS found it necessary to
employ "boundaries" between different versions of XP
install CDs.

The boundaries are between home, pro, upgrade, oem, volume license, etc.
which alll have different prices and some differences in licensing rules.
Not between SP1 and RTM.

Seems to me a valid license for XP is a valid license for
XP. We should be able to use the most current install
version of a product instead of having to slipstream or
install, one-by-one, all of the individual patches, to
older vintage CD's. Why not keep things simple?

The license is the same one that you'll use on the new slipstreamed as
opposed to the original. So you will be using the most current install.
Maybe I don't get the question.