System Properties

[Travis King]

When you go to the system properties under 'Registered to:' there's my name,
the place, and then a long number with a few dashes. What does this number
mean? I noticed when I reinstalled Windows after removing my hard drive,
changing my motherboard, and changing my processor, that this number has the
same digits except the last set of numbers.

XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX

The last three digits aren't the same numbers as it was. Does this have
anything to do with my components being changed around or does this happen
with just a reinstall of Windows?

 

[ANONYMOUS]

It looks like that the number you had before the change was for OEM
versions of Windows installed. After the change, you installed from a
CD using the serial number from the back of your case. So this number
will indicate that you have used an OEM CD and serial number provided to
you by the OEM. It is the PID and it has nothing to do with your serial
number.

There are tools that can decipher this number but you need not worry
about them for now.

hth

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When you go to the system properties under 'Registered to:' there's
my name, the place, and then a long number with a few dashes. What
does this number mean? I noticed when I reinstalled Windows after
removing my hard drive, changing my motherboard, and changing my
processor, that this number has the same digits except the last set
of numbers.
XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX

The last three digits aren't the same numbers as it was. Does this
have anything to do with my components being changed around or does
this happen with just a reinstall of Windows?

That is your product ID.
http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/prodid.php

 

[Roberto]

When you go to the system properties under 'Registered to:' there's my
name, the place, and then a long number with a few dashes. What does this
number mean? I noticed when I reinstalled Windows after removing my hard
drive, changing my motherboard, and changing my processor, that this
number has the same digits except the last set of numbers.

XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX

The last three digits aren't the same numbers as it was. Does this have
anything to do with my components being changed around or does this happen
with just a reinstall of Windows?

That's the Product ID, see MS Article ID: 302806 for details

rgds
Roberto

 

[Peter Foldes]

It looks like the number that you had before the change was for the Vista Beta Travis

 

[Travis King]

I haven't installed Vista on my computer. (I will be as soon as the public
beta comes out though.) My Aero Glass ready Ati X1600 Pro is on the way.
(I had an FX-5600, but it quit before I ever got to try Aero Glass.)
It looks like the number that you had before the change was for the Vista
Beta Travis

 

[Bruce Chambers]

When you go to the system properties under 'Registered to:' there's my name,
the place, and then a long number with a few dashes. What does this number
mean? I noticed when I reinstalled Windows after removing my hard drive,
changing my motherboard, and changing my processor, that this number has the
same digits except the last set of numbers.

XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX

The last three digits aren't the same numbers as it was. Does this have
anything to do with my components being changed around or does this happen
with just a reinstall of Windows?

That's what's known as the Product ID. The Product *ID* is created
during the installation process and is prominently displayed on the
General Properties tab of the My Computer icon. It's primary use is in
registering for and facilitating support from Microsoft (for what that's
worth.)

The last five digits change with each installation because they're
based, if I remember correctly, upon the date of the installation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Bruce Chambers]

It looks like that the number you had before the change was for OEM
versions of Windows installed. After the change, you installed from a
CD using the serial number from the back of your case. So this number
will indicate that you have used an OEM CD and serial number provided to
you by the OEM. It is the PID and it has nothing to do with your serial
number.

Huh? Have you come up with something completely new? Please cite an
official Microsoft source for this unusual explanation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[ANONYMOUS]

What is so unusual explanation?

when you buy a new PC, you get a system installed with OS. The serial
number on this system is always manufacturers own. You can't use this
serial number with the CD that comes with the system.

For example DELL uses its own serial number that is reflected on any new
system you look at. However, this serial number (incidentally you get
it by using the tool available online - e.g. magicjelly) is useless for
any ordinary user because it won't work with the CD you get with the
DELL system. One needs to use the serial number at the back of the
case.

Does this help?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

What is so unusual explanation?

when you buy a new PC, you get a system installed with OS.

Only if one elects to purchase a computer with a pre-installed OS. I
never do.

The serial
number on this system is always manufacturers own. You can't use this
serial number with the CD that comes with the system.

What do you mean by "serial number?" The manufacturer's serial number
on the ID tag on the back of the computer? Or are you refering to
something else?

For example DELL uses its own serial number that is reflected on any new
system you look at.

Actually, Dell calls a Service Tag number what most other computer
manufacturers refer to as a serial number.

However, this serial number (incidentally you get
it by using the tool available online - e.g. magicjelly) is useless for
any ordinary user because it won't work with the CD you get with the
DELL system.

Well, no, of course a serial number of a PC case won't work with *any*
installation CD; for that, the installer would need to use the Product
Key that's printed on the label affixed to either the PC case (if it's
an OEM license) or affixed to the CD's packaging, if it's a retail license.

One needs to use the serial number at the back of the
case.

For what?

Does this help?

Not really, as there are absolutely *no* serial numbers involved in the
installation of WinXP.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin