Validate Product Key agianst i386

[Dan]

Validate Product Key against i386

Disclaimer: It's hard to pose this question without sounding like
someone trying to scam the xp validation scheme, but here goes.

I'm working on a friends computer and it's fairly riddled with viruses.
It's an OEM system, so there is no XP CD. I've been able to build up
a bootable CD from the i386 directory that the OEM left in a recovery
folder. I'm about to do a system repair (boot CD, enter to enter setup
and not recovery console, highlight partition and hit 'R' for repair),
when it dawns on me that I need his product key. I bit searching finds
it stickered to the back on an MS hologram. Being paranoid, I checked
it against the key that the current copy was licensed with, and turns
out they are different. This isn't a big surprise since the oem
probably installed from an image.

So now, I need to figure out (before I start setup) if either of these
product keys match the i386 folder in the recovery directory. If they
don't match, I get half way through setup and can't get the product key
to recognize in setup. This would destroy the repair process and I
would have to resort to fdisk-format-reinstall. I'm hoping to keep all
his application settings and data (hence the choice of the repair
path).

Thoughts on a LEGAL way to do this without violating the terms of the
MS license.

-Dan

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

You're right in that the existing key in use was probably the result of the
system being installed from an image, it's quite normal and quite common.
There is no reason why using the key from the sticker should not work for
the repair installation, but there is also no way of validating it ahead of
time either.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[kurttrail]

Validate Product Key against i386

Disclaimer: It's hard to pose this question without sounding like
someone trying to scam the xp validation scheme, but here goes.

I'm working on a friends computer and it's fairly riddled with
viruses. It's an OEM system, so there is no XP CD. I've been able to
build up a bootable CD from the i386 directory that the OEM left in a
recovery folder. I'm about to do a system repair (boot CD, enter to
enter setup and not recovery console, highlight partition and hit 'R'
for repair), when it dawns on me that I need his product key. I bit
searching finds it stickered to the back on an MS hologram. Being
paranoid, I checked it against the key that the current copy was
licensed with, and turns out they are different. This isn't a big
surprise since the oem probably installed from an image.

So now, I need to figure out (before I start setup) if either of these
product keys match the i386 folder in the recovery directory. If they
don't match, I get half way through setup and can't get the product
key to recognize in setup. This would destroy the repair process and
I would have to resort to fdisk-format-reinstall. I'm hoping to keep
all his application settings and data (hence the choice of the repair
path).

Thoughts on a LEGAL way to do this without violating the terms of the
MS license.

-Dan

During the repair install process, if the XP media isn't of the same
type as the XP that is installed, you'll be asked to enter the PK before
any repair takes place. If your friends PK is rejected, you can then
back out of the repair before any damage is done.

As to legality, f*^k it. All anyone can do is you an OPINION, or repeat
a UNSUBSTANIATED CLAIM of Microsoft's.

--
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"

 

[Robert Moir]

So now, I need to figure out (before I start setup) if either of these
product keys match the i386 folder in the recovery directory. If they
don't match, I get half way through setup and can't get the product
key to recognize in setup. This would destroy the repair process and
I would have to resort to fdisk-format-reinstall. I'm hoping to keep
all his application settings and data (hence the choice of the repair
path).

Thoughts on a LEGAL way to do this without violating the terms of the
MS license.

I'm not sure what part of what you describe could *possibly* be called
illegal.

Can't he get a restore disk of some kind from the OEM? How do they think
he's supposed to recover the machine in the event of a problem?

 

[Dan]

Well I've noticed from lab and test work that I do, certain media may
require certain keys. I have two XP Home CDs, and key 2 doesn't work
on CD 1 and vice verse. No idea why. But both keys work with the CD's
they are coupled with.

My real fear is that the i386 folder they landed on the drive, won't
work with the key they stickered to the back. Once I start I'm
committed. The ominous first step in the repair processes is "Deleting
files".

I'll probably bring the CD to my lab and see if I can get through an
install. Just seems like there has got to be a better way to do this.
Requires I make a second trip.

 

[Dan]

I've only noticed the repair option avialable when the CD and HD have
the same XP flavor.

 

[Dan]

I'm not sure what part of what you describe could *possibly* be called
illegal.

I'm pretty sure the key finder is illegal, even though they used to put
it in the registry.

Can't he get a restore disk of some kind from the OEM? How do they think
he's supposed to recover the machine in the event of a problem?

Yes, he has a restore disk. It will restore the system to the exact
state that it was in 2 years ago. I'm hoping I can do better than
that. As for getting an XP disk from the OEM, they won't talk to me
unless we shell out big $$$ for "support".

 

[kurttrail]

Well I've noticed from lab and test work that I do, certain media may
require certain keys. I have two XP Home CDs, and key 2 doesn't work
on CD 1 and vice verse. No idea why. But both keys work with the
CD's they are coupled with.

My real fear is that the i386 folder they landed on the drive, won't
work with the key they stickered to the back. Once I start I'm
committed. The ominous first step in the repair processes is
"Deleting files".

I'll probably bring the CD to my lab and see if I can get through an
install. Just seems like there has got to be a better way to do this.
Requires I make a second trip.

I've repaired with VL Media over OEM, and had to give a new PK before
the repair install started.

--
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"

 

[kurttrail]

I'm pretty sure the key finder is illegal, even though they used to
put it in the registry.


Yes, he has a restore disk. It will restore the system to the exact
state that it was in 2 years ago. I'm hoping I can do better than
that. As for getting an XP disk from the OEM, they won't talk to me
unless we shell out big $$$ for "support".

LOL! Why would the Keyfinder be illegal?

--
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"

 

[Dan]

LOL! Why would the Keyfinder be illegal?

I'm sure a DMCA lawyer on a bad caffine jones could make a case for it.

My reading of DMCA is if you look for something that's hidden, that was
hidden to prevent piracy, your a crook.

But that is only in the US. If your outside of US DMCA (as I believe
the keyfinder.exe people are) your in luck.

 

[kurttrail]

I'm sure a DMCA lawyer on a bad caffine jones could make a case for
it.

But they haven't.

My reading of DMCA is if you look for something that's hidden, that
was hidden to prevent piracy, your a crook.

DMCA is about the circumvention of copy protection, and in and of itself
the keyfinder does not circumvent the copy-protection.

But I'm sure you can find a lawyer to say otherwise.

But that is only in the US. If your outside of US DMCA (as I believe
the keyfinder.exe people are) your in luck.

And your opinion is not precedent in the US. Please show actual legal
precedent that shows a utililty that finds your product key is in FACT
illegal.

--
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"

 

[Robert Moir]

I'm pretty sure the key finder is illegal, even though they used to
put it in the registry.

I'm pretty sure its not, actually. It doesn't help you rip off copies of XP,
simply find out what key should be tied to a particular install.

Yes, he has a restore disk. It will restore the system to the exact
state that it was in 2 years ago. I'm hoping I can do better than
that. As for getting an XP disk from the OEM, they won't talk to me
unless we shell out big $$$ for "support".

Well thats one OEM he knows never to buy from again, isn't it....

 

[pcDrDan]

Well thats one OEM he knows never to buy from again, isn't it....

I've actually never heard of an OEM that has a different / better
policy on windows installs.

Thats why I still don't buy from OEMs. The "free" software they
"include" isn't free at all.

 

[Guest]

It is my understanding that when the OEM pre-installs from image the product
key is likely differnet that the one on your COA. Keyfinder uitility will
show the OEM image product key. SO how does one edit the stored OEM product
key to agree with the one on your Certificate of Authenticity

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You format the drive and reinstall the operating
system using your PC manufacturer's restore CD.
I don't know why you think it's even necessary
to change the Product Key....

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

| It is my understanding that when the OEM pre-installs from image the product
| key is likely differnet that the one on your COA. Keyfinder uitility will
| show the OEM image product key. SO how does one edit the stored OEM product
| key to agree with the one on your Certificate of Authenticity
| --
| Thank you for your help
| Gail

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Gail;
You don't since there is no need.
Best case-no benefit.
Worst case, continual activation and other related issues.