OEM Re-installs won't activate unless microsoft authorizes

  • Thread starter Thread starter Melissa
  • Start date Start date
M

Melissa

Hello,

I am an OEM System Builder and repair center.

I do a lot of virus/adware removal that sometimes
require an overinstall. The problem is that when I
use the cd key pasted on the unit, it installs fine,
but when I try to activate, I'm informed that I have
used an invalid key. I am therefore forced to call
the Microsoft center tell the machine my installation ID
which cannot be verified, and passed on to a human.
The human asks me for the first 6 digits, asks me if
I'm installing this on more than one machine. I answer
no, and he/she (usually she, that's not to good with
English) gives me an authorization code. All is well, except
for lost time, phone calls coming into my shop
and I have to start over again ect.

Is this because I'm using my XP cd with SP2 instead of the
Restore OS CD that came with the system with SP1 or no SP?
If so,... BOO!! Not going to go through another hour
re-installing SP2

I need to know how to do an overinstall using the
I386 folder on the HD. I've tried making a boot cd/disk
but won't read the NTFS partition. I take the I386 folder
burn to cd and try this, still fails not being able to find
swap file space.
Trying to use the recovery partition is a joke most of
the time.

Anyone else have a procedure that does not require
calling MS if the customer does not have the restore
OS CD and has the COA in plain site?

Any of the systems I've built, and had to do an overinstall
I've had no problem. It re-activates fine.


Melissa
 
Please consult the System Builder newsgroup:

OEM System Builders web site (registration required).
http://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentPage.aspx?pageid=2

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

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

:

| Hello,
|
| I am an OEM System Builder and repair center.
|
| I do a lot of virus/adware removal that sometimes
| require an overinstall. The problem is that when I
| use the cd key pasted on the unit, it installs fine,
| but when I try to activate, I'm informed that I have
| used an invalid key. I am therefore forced to call
| the Microsoft center tell the machine my installation ID
| which cannot be verified, and passed on to a human.
| The human asks me for the first 6 digits, asks me if
| I'm installing this on more than one machine. I answer
| no, and he/she (usually she, that's not to good with
| English) gives me an authorization code. All is well, except
| for lost time, phone calls coming into my shop
| and I have to start over again ect.
|
| Is this because I'm using my XP cd with SP2 instead of the
| Restore OS CD that came with the system with SP1 or no SP?
| If so,... BOO!! Not going to go through another hour
| re-installing SP2
|
| I need to know how to do an overinstall using the
| I386 folder on the HD. I've tried making a boot cd/disk
| but won't read the NTFS partition. I take the I386 folder
| burn to cd and try this, still fails not being able to find
| swap file space.
| Trying to use the recovery partition is a joke most of
| the time.
|
| Anyone else have a procedure that does not require
| calling MS if the customer does not have the restore
| OS CD and has the COA in plain site?
|
| Any of the systems I've built, and had to do an overinstall
| I've had no problem. It re-activates fine.
|
|
| Melissa
 
Melissa said:
Hello,

I am an OEM System Builder and repair center.

I do a lot of virus/adware removal that sometimes
require an overinstall. The problem is that when I
use the cd key pasted on the unit, it installs fine,
but when I try to activate, I'm informed that I have
used an invalid key. I am therefore forced to call
the Microsoft center tell the machine my installation ID
which cannot be verified, and passed on to a human.
The human asks me for the first 6 digits, asks me if
I'm installing this on more than one machine. I answer
no, and he/she (usually she, that's not to good with
English) gives me an authorization code. All is well, except
for lost time, phone calls coming into my shop
and I have to start over again ect.

Is this because I'm using my XP cd with SP2 instead of the
Restore OS CD that came with the system with SP1 or no SP?
Click to expand...

More than likely yes. Most major OEM machines bypass activation with a
BIOS-lock. Using a generic XP CD requires activation, and MS has
required that all Major Top 20 OEM Product Keys need to be reactivated
by phone.
If so,... BOO!! Not going to go through another hour
re-installing SP2

I need to know how to do an overinstall using the
I386 folder on the HD. I've tried making a boot cd/disk
but won't read the NTFS partition. I take the I386 folder
burn to cd and try this, still fails not being able to find
swap file space.
Trying to use the recovery partition is a joke most of
the time.

Anyone else have a procedure that does not require
calling MS if the customer does not have the restore
OS CD and has the COA in plain site?

Any of the systems I've built, and had to do an overinstall
I've had no problem. It re-activates fine.
Click to expand...

That's because you use Generic OEM XP Product Keys.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
I see.

Thanks for the info

Melissa

More than likely yes. Most major OEM machines bypass activation with a
BIOS-lock. Using a generic XP CD requires activation, and MS has
required that all Major Top 20 OEM Product Keys need to be reactivated
by phone.


That's because you use Generic OEM XP Product Keys.
Click to expand...
 
More than likely yes. Most major OEM machines bypass
activation with a
BIOS-lock. Using a generic XP CD requires activation, and MS
has
required that all Major Top 20 OEM Product Keys need to be
reactivated
by phone.


That's because you use Generic OEM XP Product Keys.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an
Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
Click to expand...

Ive done a OEM install w/ SP2 on a SP1 machine and on some ive gotten
the message unauthorized key, so i just retype the cdkey and most of
the time it works. But I have had the same issue of which you speak
of.

Possible maybe the key was used on a different install by someone
else.?
 
Javelin3o4 said:
Ive done a OEM install w/ SP2 on a SP1 machine and on some ive gotten
the message unauthorized key, so i just retype the cdkey and most of
the time it works. But I have had the same issue of which you speak
of.

Possible maybe the key was used on a different install by someone
else.?
Click to expand...

Not likey.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
Is this because I'm using my XP cd with SP2 instead of the
Restore OS CD that came with the system with SP1 or no SP?
If so,... BOO!! Not going to go through another hour
re-installing SP2
Click to expand...

I have no idea, but what (BOO HOO!) "another hour"? Download the SP2
update and put it on CD!
 
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