Re-installing Windows XP and problem with the product key

[Pygmalion]

Hello all,

Recently my friend's Windows XP Home edition has completely crashed.
He got his Windows XP with the computer and he has sticker with
Product key glued on the back of his computer. However, he lost
installation CD (if he ever got one).

I said: OK, no problem, I will borrow another Windows XP Home edition
installation, and after installation I shall change the product key to
the one you have on your sticker. However, I got something wrong.
Windows that I installed did not want to recognise that key as a valid
one.

What is wrong? Is that because installation I borrowed was Windows
with SP2, while his product key could be valid only for Windows with
SP1 or without and SP at all? Or is his product key valid only for
Windows installations that come with that type of computer (Fujitsu -
Siemens)?

Please tell me what to do.

Thanks, Marko.

 

[R. McCarty]

Product Keys are validated/matched to the disk that's used for the
installation. Using an OEM Product Key with a Retail disk will not
work. To work directly, you would have needed a Generic OEM
XP disk that accepts OEM product Keys.
There is a file in the i386 folder ( Setupp.Ini ) that has a PID code
that identifies what type of disk is used.

 

[Metallo]

Product Keys are validated/matched to the disk that's used for the
installation. Using an OEM Product Key with a Retail disk will not
work. To work directly, you would have needed a Generic OEM
XP disk that accepts OEM product Keys.
There is a file in the i386 folder ( Setupp.Ini ) that has a PID code
that identifies what type of disk is used.

Hi,

I have exactly the same issue with an Asus notebook, even worst,
because I cannot enter into the OS due to a system crash, in fact, I get
a blue screen and then the PC switches itself off.

Since there is no recovery disk, how can I format it???

I managed to backup the content in the HDD via Linux and also I can see
the PID code you mention.

What could be next step to format?
What do you mean by Generic OEM XP disk that accepts OEM product Keys ??

Thank you

 

[R. McCarty]

A generic OEM disk, means one that isn't modified by the vendor. A
Dell/HP/Gateway disk ( if one is provided ) is likely to have custom
code in it for devices, support,...etc.

A generic OEM disk is just that - a Basic/Microsoft disk but has no
vendor specific material included.

Does your machine present a "Recovery" option at BIOS posting ? if
so the machine has a Recovery partition/volume on it and pressing a
certain keypress ( F10 ) tells the machine to access/run the recovery
setup procedure. Otherwise, it's a major problem trying to reconstruct
a non-functioning PC that doesn't have a Windows XP CD disk.

Since I work on all kinds of PCs, I must maintain a big library of XP
disks to be able to restore/repair each Vendor's machines. The best
advice I can offer is to find a local PC shop that might be willing to
burn a copy of a "Generic XP OEM" disk for you to use.

You can construct a XP install disk with a set of Floppy disks and the
i386 folder - but it's a complicated, time-consuming project.

It's unfortunate that most OEM PCs do not come with a XP CD.

 

[Metallo]

A generic OEM disk, means one that isn't modified by the vendor. A
Dell/HP/Gateway disk ( if one is provided ) is likely to have custom
code in it for devices, support,...etc.

A generic OEM disk is just that - a Basic/Microsoft disk but has no
vendor specific material included.

Does your machine present a "Recovery" option at BIOS posting ? if
so the machine has a Recovery partition/volume on it and pressing a
certain keypress ( F10 ) tells the machine to access/run the recovery
setup procedure. Otherwise, it's a major problem trying to reconstruct
a non-functioning PC that doesn't have a Windows XP CD disk.

Since I work on all kinds of PCs, I must maintain a big library of XP
disks to be able to restore/repair each Vendor's machines. The best
advice I can offer is to find a local PC shop that might be willing to
burn a copy of a "Generic XP OEM" disk for you to use.

You can construct a XP install disk with a set of Floppy disks and the
i386 folder - but it's a complicated, time-consuming project.

It's unfortunate that most OEM PCs do not come with a XP CD.

Hi,

I have exactly the same issue with an Asus notebook, even worst, because
I cannot enter into the OS due to a system crash, in fact, I get a blue
screen and then the PC switches itself off.

Since there is no recovery disk, how can I format it???

I managed to backup the content in the HDD via Linux and also I can see
the PID code you mention.

What could be next step to format?
What do you mean by Generic OEM XP disk that accepts OEM product Keys ??

Thank you

Hi,

I have my personal copy of MS WXP, generic, given that I bought it in a
shop.

Does it mean I can use it to format the laptop?

Does it mean I can use it to install the OS and use the Product Key I
have on the bottom of the laptop?

The BIOS does not have any recovery instruction

Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

If the Family type disk matches ( Home/Pro ). Using a Generic OEM
may force a Telephone activation, but that's usually a 8-minute process
to complete. Just be sure to use the Key on the COA label.

 

[Pygmalion]

Pid=76477000
what does that mean?

So if I understand you right, OEM installation accepts all keys,
vendor-specific installations accept only a few. So install OEM
installation and put vendor-specific key.

Marko

R. McCarty je napisal:

 

[R. McCarty]

OEM only accepts OEM keys. Retail only accepts Retail Keys,
Volume License Keys only accept VLK keys.

Even though Dell/HP/Gateway... uses a OEM disk, a machine
can be repaired with a "GENERIC" OEM disk because it is a
member of that same family type disk. It just doesn't contain any
customizable/vendor specific modifications.

The PID is broken into segments that denote Family Type and
the type of Key accepted.
76477 = Denotes the type of disk used
000 = Denotes the key type

 

[Pygmalion]

I am sorry, I do not undrestand. Let's say that I get Generic OEM
disk. (How can I recognise generic OEM disk? What should its PID look
like?) Can I install XP using generic OEM disk and then later change
its product key to the one written on the sticker on the back of my
friend's machine?

Marko.

R. McCarty je napisal:

 

[R. McCarty]

There isn't a "Official" PID chart, but I checked both a Home & Pro
disk and the PID is:
XP Pro 76487OEM
XP Home 76477OEM
Using a "Generic" disk, you should be able to enter the COA Product
key code at installation/repair time. Using the Key changer function of
Activation or the Stand-Alone Key changer tool shouldn't be necessary.

 

[Pygmalion]

OK, if I got you right: Install using generic OEM disk and its own
product key. Then use telephone activation (and when using telephone
activation use key product on COA label). Then it should be alright?

Marko

Pygmalion je napisal:

 

[R. McCarty]

I believe you have it, The Key/Disk - install/repair process can be very
confusing and can become a messy process if incorrect steps are used.
Always best to approach it slowly and methodically and if possible take
a image of the existing system before starting. ( if doing a Repair
Install )

 

[Pygmalion]

OK, so I should be looking for disks which PID ends with OEM,
regardless of what is in the front (as long as it is a HOME edition).

Thanks, Marko.

R. McCarty je napisal:

 

[Pygmalion]

LOL. Actually I made a image of everything but programs (Windows,
Office and Program Files). I thought ... Windows are Windows, what a
heck

Marko

R. McCarty je napisal:

 

[Daave]

OK, if I got you right: Install using generic OEM disk and its own
product key. Then use telephone activation (and when using telephone
activation use key product on COA label). Then it should be alright?

Almost.

Install using a generic OEM disk and use the product key printed on the
computer's sticker.