Simple question about WPA.DBL....

[Bill Evans]

I have a client's machine that I was told to wipe the hard drive and
reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP on.

First problem: They can't find their disc of Windows XP.

Second problem: The sticker on the side of the box is for Windows Me.

So I think about it, search the internet, and find out that I can allegedly
save the WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK files and put them back into the SYSTEM32
folder after installation. Now I've never done that before, and have no
idea if it will work. I was just about to wipe the hard drive on the
assumption that it would work, when I happened to notice the machine has
Windows XP Pro on it, and the only CD's I have around are Windows XP Home.

I think it's safe to assume that Windows XP Home and Windows XP Pro won't be
interchangeable with their WPA.DBL files. Is that the case?

Suggestions? Other than telling them "Find your damn discs!".



--
bill evans
(e-mail address removed)
Hartselle, AL

Freeman Dyson: "It's best not to limit our thinking. We can always
air-condition the Earth."

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Bill;
Saving those files is pointless if you are performing a Clean Installation.

You could use a key finder utility to locate the Product Key of Windows XP
that was installed:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm

You should at least have them provide the original key.
If Windows XP is legitimately theirs and they can not locate the key:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

However without the original Windows XP Product Key there is potential you
and your business are assisting with piracy.
Remember whose professional reputation will be seen.

 

[Bill Evans]

Bill;
Saving those files is pointless if you are performing a Clean
Installation.

Really? Why?

I thought that was the whole point of saving and restoring those files, that
it would restore the Product Key and the Activation Code.

You could use a key finder utility to locate the Product Key of Windows XP
that was installed:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ViewKeyXP.htm

You should at least have them provide the original key.
If Windows XP is legitimately theirs and they can not locate the key:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

It's a Hewlett-Packard PIII-800 that came from the store with Win Me on it.

Apparently another computer store upgraded it to Win XP Pro when they had it
in the shop for servicing. The owner of the PC isn't sure whether they gave
him a CD for Win XP Pro at that time.

It looks like the machine has had several Windows Updates run on it, which
to the best of my knowledge means that the Windows Update web site thinks
it's legit.

However without the original Windows XP Product Key there is potential you
and your business are assisting with piracy.
Remember whose professional reputation will be seen.

10-4.



--
bill evans
(e-mail address removed)
Hartselle, AL

Freeman Dyson: "It's best not to limit our thinking. We can always
air-condition the Earth."

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Bill;
Saving those files will prevent the need for activation if the files get
damaged or a Repair Installation is performed.
They are no help with a Clean Installation.

This article give a good explanation:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Simple answer: Inform your client he'll have to purchase a
"Full Version" of Windows XP for a clean install. You cannot
save and reuse the WPA file when performing a clean install.
The problem is not your problem....it is the client's problem
since he or she misplaced the Windows XP CD. You cannot
tell from the Product Key which CD (retail upgrade, retail full,
OEM, or VL) is required to be used with the Product Key
found in the computer. You'll end up spinning your wheels
and wasting vaulable time trying to figure it out.

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

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

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

:

| I have a client's machine that I was told to wipe the hard drive and
| reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows XP on.
|
| First problem: They can't find their disc of Windows XP.
|
| Second problem: The sticker on the side of the box is for Windows Me.
|
| So I think about it, search the internet, and find out that I can allegedly
| save the WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK files and put them back into the SYSTEM32
| folder after installation. Now I've never done that before, and have no
| idea if it will work. I was just about to wipe the hard drive on the
| assumption that it would work, when I happened to notice the machine has
| Windows XP Pro on it, and the only CD's I have around are Windows XP Home.
|
| I think it's safe to assume that Windows XP Home and Windows XP Pro won't be
| interchangeable with their WPA.DBL files. Is that the case?
|
| Suggestions? Other than telling them "Find your damn discs!".
|
| --
| bill evans

 

[Bill Evans]

Simple answer: Inform your client he'll have to purchase a
"Full Version" of Windows XP for a clean install. You cannot
save and reuse the WPA file when performing a clean install.
The problem is not your problem....it is the client's problem
since he or she misplaced the Windows XP CD. You cannot
tell from the Product Key which CD (retail upgrade, retail full,
OEM, or VL) is required to be used with the Product Key
found in the computer. You'll end up spinning your wheels
and wasting vaulable time trying to figure it out.

Jupiter and Carey,

After I read Jupiter's e-mule earlier and decided that I did need to verify
that the XP was legit, I tested it.

The Microsoft ActiveX validation test said it was a invalid copy of XP. I
should have figured that up front when the user said they couldn't find the
disc, that they didn't know for a fact that they ever got a disc from the
people that installed it, and especially from seeing that the Windows XP was
a install of Windows XP Pro.

So I've already been to Office Depot, yada yada yada.



--
bill evans
(e-mail address removed)
Hartselle, AL

Freeman Dyson: "It's best not to limit our thinking. We can always
air-condition the Earth."

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It is not a good sign when they mumble, is it?