OEM Product keys vs install media

[Peter Bako]

Is there any way to tell if the XP Product Key on the sticker of a machine
will only work with an OEM disk or any generic XP Install disk? I have a
situation where I have a Compaq Evo with a blank drive (formatted to remove
private data) and a valid Windows XP sticker on the bottom. I booted off a
working XP Install CD (retail copy) but when I entered the serial number it
rejected it.

I've had this before and it is quite annoying to have to go through the
whole pre-install process before finding out if your media and serial
numbers match. Is there any way to determine to which media a given number
will work for?

Thanks,
Peter

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Is there any way to tell if the XP Product Key on the sticker of a
machine will only work with an OEM disk or any generic XP Install
disk? I have a situation where I have a Compaq Evo with a blank
drive (formatted to remove private data) and a valid Windows XP
sticker on the bottom. I booted off a working XP Install CD
(retail copy) but when I entered the serial number it rejected it.

I've had this before and it is quite annoying to have to go through
the whole pre-install process before finding out if your media and
serial numbers match. Is there any way to determine to which media
a given number will work for?

If it is stuck on a machine like that - you have a 99-100% chance it is an
OEM version.
Especially if said machine is something like a Dell, Compaq, etc..
It's that simple. They buy OEM because they are OEMs.. And it is cheaper
for them to do so.

 

[Peter Bako]

I understand that... However I have been in cases, such as now, where I
purchased a used system that did not come with any of the original software.
I already have valid XP install CD's, the drivers I can get from the web, so
I do not really need the orignal disks - except for the OS one it seems.

So does that mean that I am stuck and that I have to either purchase a
brand-new copy of XP (even though I have a valid license on the bottom of
the system), or somehow convince HP to send me a CD without the key? Isn't
that a bit silly?

Peter

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Product Key affixed to an OEM computer is only
valid with the OEM recommended restore method.
It is not valid if you use a Retail or generic OEM
Windows XP CD.

Obtaining HP Recovery CDs
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...3&lang=en&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=bph07143

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Is there any way to tell if the XP Product Key on the sticker of a machine
| will only work with an OEM disk or any generic XP Install disk? I have a
| situation where I have a Compaq Evo with a blank drive (formatted to remove
| private data) and a valid Windows XP sticker on the bottom. I booted off a
| working XP Install CD (retail copy) but when I entered the serial number it
| rejected it.
|
| I've had this before and it is quite annoying to have to go through the
| whole pre-install process before finding out if your media and serial
| numbers match. Is there any way to determine to which media a given number
| will work for?
|
| Thanks,
| Peter

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

What you most likely have is a set of recovery CD's.. they may well be BIOS
locked.. that is to say that when they detect a BIOS other than what is
programmed, the installation will go no further..

OEM XP is supplied on the basis that it is only ever installed on one
machine, and at no point transferred to another.. the vendor knows and
understands this, but in 99.99% of sales fails to pass the information on to
the consumer.. your loss unfortunately..

You now have a choice.. you can buy an OEM version, be bound by the same
rules as above and be completely liable for your own support, or you can
purchase a full retail version transferable to any computer of your choice,
and get support directly from Microsoft..

There is an initial cost advantage if you purchase OEM XP, but it is plainly
obvious why..

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I understand that... However I have been in cases, such as now,
where I purchased a used system that did not come with any of the
original software. I already have valid XP install CD's, the
drivers I can get from the web, so I do not really need the orignal
disks - except for the OS one it seems.
So does that mean that I am stuck and that I have to either
purchase a brand-new copy of XP (even though I have a valid license
on the bottom of the system), or somehow convince HP to send me a
CD without the key? Isn't that a bit silly?

Yes - it is a bit silly.
The consumer falls for it everyday though.. You'd think word would have
gotten around by now.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Shenan

Great answer.. can I have permission to borrow that sometimes?..

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Is there any way to tell if the XP Product Key on the sticker of a
machine will only work with an OEM disk or any generic XP Install
disk? I have a situation where I have a Compaq Evo with a blank
drive (formatted to remove private data) and a valid Windows XP
sticker on the bottom. I booted off a working XP Install CD
(retail copy) but when I entered the serial number it rejected it.

I've had this before and it is quite annoying to have to go through
the whole pre-install process before finding out if your media and
serial numbers match. Is there any way to determine to which media
a given number will work for?

If it is stuck on a machine like that - you have a 99-100% chance
it is an OEM version.

Especially if said machine is something like a Dell, Compaq, etc..
It's that simple. They buy OEM because they are OEMs.. And it is
cheaper for them to do so.

I understand that... However I have been in cases, such as now,
where I purchased a used system that did not come with any of the
original software. I already have valid XP install CD's, the
drivers I can get from the web, so I do not really need the orignal
disks - except for the OS one it seems.
So does that mean that I am stuck and that I have to either
purchase a brand-new copy of XP (even though I have a valid license
on the bottom of the system), or somehow convince HP to send me a
CD without the key? Isn't that a bit silly?

Shenan Stanley wrote

Yes - it is a bit silly.

The consumer falls for it everyday though.. You'd think word would
have gotten around by now.

Great answer.. can I have permission to borrow that sometimes?..

Of course. *grin*

 

[Guest]

The Product Key affixed to an OEM computer is only
valid with the OEM recommended restore method.

Unfotunately we are all-too familiar with the situation there.. Recovery CD
run.. Branded Internet Explorer, AOL forced-signup, Norton trial, 'Sonic'
DRM sound programs, etc, etc, etc. Plus, half of it probably won't uninstall
properly.

The other side of the "Raw Deal" the consumer gets is that they don't _even_
get a genuine copy of Windows, only a heavily-adulterated one, plastered with
third-party software adverts.

It's time MS cracked-down on OEMs doing this. If you're paying for Windows
you should at least get a genuine, unadulterated copy.

 

[Guest]

I wholeheartedly agree. Of course, in that case, they would have to charge
even more, now, wouldn't they?
Otherwise margins would shrink, and we can't have that, can we?

 

[Guest]

I also agree; aren't the license differences between OEM and retail CDs
enough to warrant the cost difference? Why should people be stuck with
additional software they many not even want?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Ian

Who says that they are paying for Windows?.. they may be paying for a
machine loaded with Windows, but that is not to say that any of the overall
cost is attributable to the operating system.. it could be that the vendors
are supplying Windows FOC, in which case no license has been bought..

Licensing should be taken up with the vendors responsible for the license
transfer.. they know exactly what the terms are and mean.. they have a moral
obligation to their customers..

Hahahahahaha.. imagine Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples, PC World respecting any
moral obligation.. what a joke..