Volume Licensing Question

[garton.tim]

All,
I've spent about an hour searching microsoft.com and google but
have been unable to figure something out, so I figured I would post
here. If a company has a bunch of computers with OEM licenses for XP
Professional, and I want to setup RIS to re-image a bunch of them, how
do I go about getting a Volume License Key to use? Since they all
already have a license for XP Professional it doesn't seem like the
company should have to pay for new licenses just to get a key, but at
the same time I can't use an OEM key either. An answer or nod in the
right direction would be appreciated.

Tim

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I've spent about an hour searching microsoft.com and google but
have been unable to figure something out, so I figured I would post
here. If a company has a bunch of computers with OEM licenses for
XP Professional, and I want to setup RIS to re-image a bunch of
them, how do I go about getting a Volume License Key to use? Since
they all already have a license for XP Professional it doesn't seem
like the company should have to pay for new licenses just to get a
key, but at the same time I can't use an OEM key either. An answer
or nod in the right direction would be appreciated.

Well - the OEM licenses likely came with the computers.
The Volume license does not.
So you have to buy the volume license and use it - as there is no discount
for having already bought other licenses.

Other option?
Use something like:
http://unattended.sourceforge.net/
Instead of RIS.

 

[MacAddict]

Tim,

I had the same question but according to microsoft, as long as the
product is already licensed, you can use either a Volume License key or
an OEM key.

In other words, I install XP on my machines from a Volume License CD
with a Volume License Key but I don't have to buy more licenses as they
desktop already have a XP Pro license (the OEM).

The document says:
"The Microsoft Windows desktop operating system should be licensed
either pre-installed through the OEM, or as FPP retail product. A
volume licensing customer can use their volume licensing media to
re-image their Microsoft Windows desktop operating system from an OEM
provided that it is the same version and product type as that on the
Certificate of Authenticity label that came with the PC." found here:
<http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/resources/volbrief.mspx>

In addition, you must use a Volume License key if you want to do any
imaging. You can not use OEM keys for it:
"Microsoft does not support the use of Sysprep to create a new image of
a system that was originally created by using a custom OEM installation
image or by using OEM installation media. Microsoft only supports such
an image if the image was created by the OEM manufacturer." found here:
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/828287/>


Note that you cannot use a Volume License key with an OEM XP install
CD. You must use a Volume License XP Pro CD.

Hope this helps...