Challenging XP Pro Activation - from image (please help)

R

riffin-rich

Please help. I need to activate windows for a second computer using
an image of the first computer I built (with one twist). Computer #1,
configured with XP Pro Upgrade edition, was built with the Windows XP
Pro (Upgrade ed.) using my existing Windows XP Home edition disc to
validate the upgrade disc. After fully configuring the system with
accounts, security policies, etc.., I made an image of the
installation using Acronis True Image (all is good).

I used the Acronis emergency boot/restore disc to install the image
file to a second computer, for which I purchased a FULL-Version of
Windows XP Pro (not the Upgrade edition). After successfully
installing the image file to the second computer, I then needed to
activate it (within 3 days as directed by MS). Fearing I would
accidentally void computer #1's product key, I followed the following
procedure to change/foul-up my "Computer #1" Product Key before trying
to activate computer #2 ... my thought process was that the 2nd
computer would somehow activate using computer #1's Product Key and I
can't let this happen.

To change the product ID
1. Log in as the local Administrator
2. Click Start --> Run --> and type in Regedit
3. Browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT
\CurrentVersion\wpaevents
4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify
5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows
6. Click OK and close regedit
7. Click Start --> Run and type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe
\msoobe.exe /a"
8. Click "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative
to activate Windows, and then click Next
9. Click Change Product Key (at the bottom)
10. Enter your valid Product Key
11. Press Update and close the window.
but this is where it fails: "Invalid Product Key"

I called MS to get assistance but the lady I spoke with told me that
it would cost $59 to get assistance because my install disc is an
"OEM" disc (bought from TigerDirect.com) and it states on the CD, "For
Distribution with a new CD only. For product support, contact the
manufacturer of your PC." Worst case is that I install from scratch,
but I don't want to waste all that time building a new system from the
ground up. I've done the work and saved the image, so I'd prefer to
use the image I have. Can anyone help me? Thanks kindly, Rich
 
P

Poprivet

riffin-rich said:
Please help. I need to activate windows for a second computer using
an image of the first computer I built (with one twist). Computer #1,
configured with XP Pro Upgrade edition, was built with the Windows XP
Pro (Upgrade ed.) using my existing Windows XP Home edition disc to
validate the upgrade disc. After fully configuring the system with
accounts, security policies, etc.., I made an image of the
installation using Acronis True Image (all is good).

I used the Acronis emergency boot/restore disc to install the image
file to a second computer, for which I purchased a FULL-Version of
Windows XP Pro (not the Upgrade edition). After successfully
installing the image file to the second computer, I then needed to
activate it (within 3 days as directed by MS). Fearing I would
accidentally void computer #1's product key, I followed the following
procedure to change/foul-up my "Computer #1" Product Key before trying
to activate computer #2 ... my thought process was that the 2nd
computer would somehow activate using computer #1's Product Key and I
can't let this happen.

To change the product ID
1. Log in as the local Administrator
2. Click Start --> Run --> and type in Regedit
3. Browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT
\CurrentVersion\wpaevents
4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify
5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows
6. Click OK and close regedit
7. Click Start --> Run and type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe
\msoobe.exe /a"
8. Click "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative
to activate Windows, and then click Next
9. Click Change Product Key (at the bottom)
10. Enter your valid Product Key
11. Press Update and close the window.
but this is where it fails: "Invalid Product Key"

I called MS to get assistance but the lady I spoke with told me that
it would cost $59 to get assistance because my install disc is an
"OEM" disc (bought from TigerDirect.com) and it states on the CD, "For
Distribution with a new CD only. For product support, contact the
manufacturer of your PC." Worst case is that I install from scratch,
but I don't want to waste all that time building a new system from the
ground up. I've done the work and saved the image, so I'd prefer to
use the image I have. Can anyone help me? Thanks kindly, Rich
Click to expand...

Can't be done and if by some chance you do manage a workaround, activation
won't be right. Spend the money. But you'll end up spending more anyway to
buy another license.
 
H

HeyBub

riffin-rich said:
Please help. I need to activate windows for a second computer using
an image of the first computer I built (with one twist). Computer #1,
configured with XP Pro Upgrade edition, was built with the Windows XP
Pro (Upgrade ed.) using my existing Windows XP Home edition disc to
validate the upgrade disc. After fully configuring the system with
accounts, security policies, etc.., I made an image of the
installation using Acronis True Image (all is good).
Click to expand...
I called MS to get assistance but the lady I spoke with told me that
it would cost $59 to get assistance because my install disc is an
"OEM" disc (bought from TigerDirect.com) and it states on the CD, "For
Distribution with a new CD only. For product support, contact the
manufacturer of your PC." Worst case is that I install from scratch,
but I don't want to waste all that time building a new system from the
ground up. I've done the work and saved the image, so I'd prefer to
use the image I have. Can anyone help me? Thanks kindly, Rich
Click to expand...

You may not use an OEM distribution on a second computer.

That should be the end of the story.
 
R

riffin-rich

You may not use an OEM distribution on a second computer.

That should be the end of the story
Click to expand...

Can anyone answer this question for me? If I were to build an image
from a full-distribution of Windows XP Pro (vs. an OEM distribution),
would my image work as I restored it on other systems:

a. if I used a full-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

b. if I used an OEM-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

I spent 4 days building the perfect load ... only to discover I can't
use it??? Can microsoft help me with this? Perhaps trade my license
given I can't return it (opened software) ... ?
 
R

riffin-rich

You may not use an OEM distribution on a second computer.

That should be the end of the story.
Click to expand...

And one more question in addition to last ... if I bought a full-
distribution Win XP Pro product/key, would I be able to use it to
activate a new system built from the original image I made with an XP
Home Upgraded to XP Pro? Thanks again...
----
If I were to build an image from a full-distribution of Windows XP Pro
(vs. an OEM distribution), would my image work as I restored it on
other systems:

a. if I used a full-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

b. if I used an OEM-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

I spent 4 days building the perfect load ... only to discover I can't
use it??? Can microsoft help me with this? Perhaps trade my license
given I can't return it (opened software) ... ?

Thanks again!!!
 
H

HeyBub

riffin-rich said:
Can anyone answer this question for me? If I were to build an image
from a full-distribution of Windows XP Pro (vs. an OEM distribution),
would my image work as I restored it on other systems:

a. if I used a full-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

b. if I used an OEM-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

I spent 4 days building the perfect load ... only to discover I can't
use it??? Can microsoft help me with this? Perhaps trade my license
given I can't return it (opened software) ... ?
Click to expand...

You cannot use the same key on two different computers simultaneously. You
cannot use an OEM key on more than one computer, period. You may transfer
your retail license from one computer to another; you cannot transfer the
license from one OEM machine to anything else. If the OEM-licensed machine
croaks, the license is likewise a goner.

To answer your questions:
The restore from one machine to another of a retail license will work -
temporarily. The license must be re-activated, usually with a telephone
call.
a) You may use the retail key on a successor machine. The original machine
must have its OS rendered unusable.
b) You may use an OEM key for different machines if the OEM keys are
different.
 
R

riffin-rich

You cannot use the same key on two different computers simultaneously. You
cannot use an OEM key on more than one computer, period. You may transfer
your retail license from one computer to another; you cannot transfer the
license from one OEM machine to anything else. If the OEM-licensed machine
croaks, the license is likewise a goner.

To answer your questions:
The restore from one machine to another of a retail license will work -
temporarily. The license must be re-activated, usually with a telephone
call.
a) You may use the retail key on a successor machine. The original machine
must have its OS rendered unusable.
b) You may use an OEM key for different machines if the OEM keys are
different.
Click to expand...

HeyBub / all, please note I'm not using the same key on two different
systems--I have a unique key for each system ... this is completely
above board. Let me clarify.

Computer #1 was built with Windows XP Pro (the Upgrade edition),
upgraded from XP Home. After fully configuring the system with
accounts, security policies, etc.., I made an image of the
installation using Acronis True Image (all is good).

Now I've built Computer #2 using Computer #1's image (to save myself 3
days of tedious configuration work and have an exact duplicate of the
first system). Now I just need to activate Computer 2 with a NEW MS
Windows product key that I purchased--it is a FULL-Version OEM Windows
XP Pro (not the Upgrade edition). I followed the sequence in my first
post to change my product key to activate it, but Windows keeps
reporting that it is an invalid key. It's not. It's the key that
came with my new license.

Can anyone help me without having to pay M$ another $59 for support?
Thanks kindly, Rich
 
R

riffin-rich

DISREGARD!!! FIXED!!! MS Tech Support technician got me working and
didn't charge me for it! We used the KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
file and this allowed me to put my new product key into the imaged
system! Original system keeps its license, and the new computer
(built from an image of the first system), gets its own key (as
entered via this key update tool)!!!

Thanks to all for your attention on this matter ... hopefully it will
help somebody else.
Regards, Rich

--------
 
P

PA Bear

Good for you and for persevering!

riffin-rich said:
DISREGARD!!! FIXED!!! MS Tech Support technician got me working and
didn't charge me for it! We used the KeyUpdateTool_enu.exe
file and this allowed me to put my new product key into the imaged
system! Original system keeps its license, and the new computer
(built from an image of the first system), gets its own key (as
entered via this key update tool)!!!

Thanks to all for your attention on this matter ... hopefully it will
help somebody else.
Regards, Rich
Click to expand...
 
C

Chuck B

Just out of curiousity, did you try using the SysPrep utility to strip out
the SID from the original box?

I don't know if your problem was related but I think the SID is a unique
value generated using computer specific info like network config, regional
settings, product ID, as part of the install process. If the 2nd PC had a
different configuration (i.e. product ID) the SID copied from the original
PC wouldn't validate.
 
R

riffin-rich

Chuck B, I don't understand your question. No, I didn't use the
SysPrep utility ... can you explain? I need to continue building more
systems the same way so having the tip would be helpful. What is
SysPrep?

I assumed that when I installed the first system's image onto the
second system, that it would ask me for a product key (I think I
remember Norton Ghost doing that a long time ago). Anyway, Acronis
TrueImage didn't ask and that's how I got stuck. The original key was
still in the image I put on the second system and I just wanted to
change it to reflect the second product key I purchased.

Crazy thing was the amount of time I spent on the phone with MS
assistance folks ... over 5 hours wasted ... the first four kept
telling me what I was doing was illegal--perhaps a combination of the
language barrier and not listening to my entire problem. It wasn't
until I got to the level 2 or 3 support guy that I got fixed-up in no
time.

So, should I use this SysPrep utility in the future? Thanks much...
Rich
 

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