Installing from a different OEM-CD

[Guest]

As I couldn't find the OEM Windows XP CD that came with one of my other
computers, I tried to use an identical CD thinking that I'd be fine if I just
enter the correct key noted on the CoA machine I'm reinstalling. However, I
was surprised not being asked for a key at all. Now, as you might understand,
I end up having two machines with the same number in system explorer which
isn't exactly what I wanted. Found a few articles in the knowledgebase
regarding this, but the problem is I can't find the "activate windows"
shortcut, where I should be able to enter a new key.
Is there any way I can enter the correct Product Key without having to
reinstall it all again, or do I really have to find exactly the one that came
with that machine and reinstall with that one?

btw, the product is Win XP Home, SP1, Swedish version

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Q. "Do I really have to find exactly the one that came
with that machine and reinstall with that one?"

A. Yes!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

:

| As I couldn't find the OEM Windows XP CD that came with one of my other
| computers, I tried to use an identical CD thinking that I'd be fine if I just
| enter the correct key noted on the CoA machine I'm reinstalling. However, I
| was surprised not being asked for a key at all. Now, as you might understand,
| I end up having two machines with the same number in system explorer which
| isn't exactly what I wanted. Found a few articles in the knowledgebase
| regarding this, but the problem is I can't find the "activate windows"
| shortcut, where I should be able to enter a new key.
| Is there any way I can enter the correct Product Key without having to
| reinstall it all again, or do I really have to find exactly the one that came
| with that machine and reinstall with that one?
|
| btw, the product is Win XP Home, SP1, Swedish version

 

[Guest]

Well, I guess I'm not the only one who will be pretty angry after reading
your answer, but I guess you're not the one who decided it should be that way.
Anyway, for me that means a lot of trouble as I found out after I wrote that
message that there was never a CD included with that system... They obviously
forgot to deliver it with the system... Feels like Murphy keeps hunting me
with his laws!

/stef

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" skrev:

 

[Nepatsfan]

In (e-mail address removed) Bjurran
wrote:

As I couldn't find the OEM Windows XP CD that came with one
of my other
computers, I tried to use an identical CD thinking that I'd
be fine if I just
enter the correct key noted on the CoA machine I'm
reinstalling. However, I
was surprised not being asked for a key at all. Now, as you
might understand,
I end up having two machines with the same number in system
explorer which
isn't exactly what I wanted. Found a few articles in the
knowledgebase
regarding this, but the problem is I can't find the "activate
windows"
shortcut, where I should be able to enter a new key.
Is there any way I can enter the correct Product Key without
having to
reinstall it all again, or do I really have to find exactly
the one that came
with that machine and reinstall with that one?

btw, the product is Win XP Home, SP1, Swedish version

Just out of curiosity, I've got a few questions:
1. Are both computers manufactured by the
same company?
2. Are they identical or similar models?
3. When you finished installing Windows, were you asked to
activate XP?
4. What happens when you go to Start -> Run and enter the
following command in the Open box?
C:\Windows\System32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

The reason you weren't asked to enter a product key during the
installation is because you used an OEM CD to which the
manufacturer added a file, winnt.sif, that contains a volume
license key. In most cases, this type of key does not require
activation.

However, if you use this CD to install XP on another make of
computer, you should be told you have to activate XP. When you
try to activate with that VLK, you receive a message that
you're using an "unauthorized product key". You then get the
opportunity to enter a different CD key or use the phone
activation option. Here's where you would enter the key from
the sticker on the side of your computer.

Get back to me with answers to the questions I asked earlier.
There's a possibility that you don't have to reinstall Windows.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Guest]

Just out of curiosity, I've got a few questions:
1. Are both computers manufactured by the
same company?
2. Are they identical or similar models?
3. When you finished installing Windows, were you asked to
activate XP?
4. What happens when you go to Start -> Run and enter the
following command in the Open box?
C:\Windows\System32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

The reason you weren't asked to enter a product key during the
installation is because you used an OEM CD to which the
manufacturer added a file, winnt.sif, that contains a volume
license key. In most cases, this type of key does not require
activation.

However, if you use this CD to install XP on another make of
computer, you should be told you have to activate XP. When you
try to activate with that VLK, you receive a message that
you're using an "unauthorized product key". You then get the
opportunity to enter a different CD key or use the phone
activation option. Here's where you would enter the key from
the sticker on the side of your computer.

Get back to me with answers to the questions I asked earlier.
There's a possibility that you don't have to reinstall Windows.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

Both computers are Fujitsu Siemens Scaleo, but the one I reinstalled now is
a P4 and the CD I used was from an AMD Athlon.
I was never asked to activate Windows, only the optional registration as
usual.
I ran the program ju mentioned, and it says that Windows is already
activated, which is good.
The only thing I'm affraid of right now is what will happen when I connect
this computer to the internet. As both computers now show the same number in
system explorer, will it complain that I have illegal software if I try to
use Windows Update, or will I be able to use it? I really don't want this to
cause any problem with the AMD i got the CD from...

I might just have a go and see what happens...

Thanks!
Stefan

 

[Nepatsfan]

In (e-mail address removed) Bjurran
wrote:

Both computers are Fujitsu Siemens Scaleo, but the one I
reinstalled now is
a P4 and the CD I used was from an AMD Athlon.
I was never asked to activate Windows, only the optional
registration as
usual.
I ran the program ju mentioned, and it says that Windows is
already
activated, which is good.
The only thing I'm affraid of right now is what will happen
when I connect
this computer to the internet. As both computers now show the
same number in
system explorer, will it complain that I have illegal
software if I try to
use Windows Update, or will I be able to use it? I really
don't want this to
cause any problem with the AMD i got the CD from...

I might just have a go and see what happens...

Thanks!
Stefan

I'm no expert on the WGA tool that Windows Update now requires
but my gut feeling is that you're not going to have a problem.
The fact that you used a CD from the same computer manufacturer
and didn't have to activate leads me to believe things should
go smoothly with Windows update. Post back if you have a
problem.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Kent W. England]

Bjurran wrote on 25-Jan-2006 12:16 PM:

Well, I guess I'm not the only one who will be pretty angry after reading
your answer, but I guess you're not the one who decided it should be that way.
Anyway, for me that means a lot of trouble as I found out after I wrote that
message that there was never a CD included with that system... They obviously
forgot to deliver it with the system... Feels like Murphy keeps hunting me
with his laws!

It's pretty hard to maintain a system without an XP CD, but if you have
another CD from the same manufacturer and it works without asking you
for a product key, then you are OK.

For example, a Dell XP CD will reinstall Windows on any Dell platform.
That said, you need the correct Resource CD to install the drivers and
you can't rely on Internet since the Ethernet adapter won't work after
the XP reinstall.

I have one Dell XP CD and about six Resource CDs to maintain my
collection of Optiplex, Dimension and Latitude systems.