prompt new owner to enter XP product key ?

[Geoffw]

I have a number of OEM distributions, these have all be
installed with an OEM version of XP home from a single disk.
A ghost image was taken from the completed setup, drivers
additional software etc.

I ghost the image onto identical PCs - when I sell the PC I
hand over the oem disks as required.

Is it possible to remove reference to the product key from
the ghosted install (eg delete a reference file ) so that
when the new owner starts up or goes to activate the XP
software they are prompted for the key, can enter same from
their CD and proceed to internet actiavtion.

I do not wish to leave the orifginal key as an internet
activation will (I presume) use that key and so future PCs
will try to activate be be declined ? This may be an option
as I presume the user is then advised to use the phone
activation ?

any advice

thanks
Geoff

 

[Guest]

Investigate using sysprep with Home Edition. If this works, you can
configure the systems as you require, and run sysprep with a sysprep.inf that
omits the information that you want the user to type in when they turn on the
computer for the first time.

However since you are an OEM, you may want to investigate Microsoft's OEM
program and Windows PE to automate preloading systems and providing your
customers with the Out-Of-Box Experience. I believe using the OOBE means the
difference between the nice blue-backgrounded wizard that runs the first time
XP is ready for use versus the drab Product Key-style dialog box provided a
la Windows 2000 Setup. While this older Product Key dialog is acceptable for
corporate system deployment staff, you'd probably want to go with the slicker
wizard provided by the OOBE to wow your customers.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/default.mspx
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];838080