Win XP - Product Code

[Mantis]

Okay, since I made the stupid mistake of installing Win
XP Pro over my Home Edition, and I don't have an XP Home
disc, where can get another product key so I can use Win
XP on the other computer now with getting that stupid 30
activation nonsense?

 

[Jose Francisco]

Greetings Mantis,

The only way to get another product key is to buy a new Windows XP Home
Edition.

Thanks and best of luck!

 

[*Vanguard*]

Okay, since I made the stupid mistake of installing Win
XP Pro over my Home Edition, and I don't have an XP Home
disc, where can get another product key so I can use Win
XP on the other computer now with getting that stupid 30
activation nonsense?

Was Windows XP Pro an *upgrade* version? If so, that's all you get is
the ONE license to use Windows. You UPGRADED which means you don't get
to use any of the prior version upon which your upgrade is based. The
upgrade traces back through prior upgrades until eventually you reach
the full version upon which the entire upgrade path is based.

If Windows XP Pro was a FULL version then you'll have to figure out just
how the legal copy of Windows XP Home was provided. If you lost the CD,
call Microsoft to find out what they will charge to send you a
replacement CD but be prepared to prove your legal ownership of a
license to it.

Was it an pre-installed OEM version? If so then it is tied to that one
computer and cannot be used on any other computer. If it is an OEM
version but was not pre-installed and instead had to be purchased with
qualifying non-peripheral hardware then that OEM license remains tied to
that hardware (so buy it with a cable since that won't easily break).

 

[Alias]

Was Windows XP Pro an *upgrade* version? If so, that's all you get is
the ONE license to use Windows. You UPGRADED which means you don't get
to use any of the prior version upon which your upgrade is based. The
upgrade traces back through prior upgrades until eventually you reach
the full version upon which the entire upgrade path is based.

If Windows XP Pro was a FULL version then you'll have to figure out just
how the legal copy of Windows XP Home was provided. If you lost the CD,
call Microsoft to find out what they will charge to send you a
replacement CD but be prepared to prove your legal ownership of a
license to it.

Was it an pre-installed OEM version? If so then it is tied to that one
computer and cannot be used on any other computer. If it is an OEM
version but was not pre-installed and instead had to be purchased with
qualifying non-peripheral hardware then that OEM license remains tied to
that hardware (so buy it with a cable since that won't easily break).

Um, OEMs can be bought without any hardware tied to it, as per Microsoft's
activation department when I called them on the phone. They changed that
three months ago. I have one installed on this machine.

Alias

 

[*Vanguard*]

"Alias" <[email protected]>
wrote in break).

Um, OEMs can be bought without any hardware tied to it, as per
Microsoft's activation department when I called them on the phone.
They changed that three months ago. I have one installed on this
machine.

Alias

I did say "If ... an OEM version ... not pre-installed ... *AND* instead
had to be purchased with ... hardware ...". I used AND for a reason
(because I have heard of the policy change). However, there are still
many copies of OEM versions out there which still have EULAs written
that demand the "SOFTWARE" be purchased with hardware. I don't see any
statement from Microsoft that dictates a policy change in writing the
new EULAs that also gets applied to all old EULAs. Imagine the
confusion and lack of documentation in knowing just exactly what your
license permitted and didn't permit based on non-present and
disconnected documentation that was not easily identified or verifiable.

It is highly unlikely that the new policy and EULA is retroactive. You
get whatever is the EULA in the copy that you actually buy. We have
several OEM version copies that do require they were purchased with
hardware and have to track those together (just like we have to track
separately the pre-installed OEM copies and the retail copies). If you
know of an official statement from Microsoft that retroactively modifies
all existing OEM EULAs (which is probably only for the non-preinstalled
OEMs) so they no longer require hardware despite what the EULA says that
is included with the product, I'd sure like to see it. Then we wouldn't
have to track the OEM and hardware together. Would make it a lot easier
to manage licenses.

 

[Alias]

"Alias" <[email protected] wrote


I did say "If ... an OEM version ... not pre-installed ... *AND* instead
had to be purchased with ... hardware ...". I used AND for a reason
(because I have heard of the policy change). However, there are still
many copies of OEM versions out there which still have EULAs written
that demand the "SOFTWARE" be purchased with hardware. I don't see any
statement from Microsoft that dictates a policy change in writing the
new EULAs that also gets applied to all old EULAs. Imagine the
confusion and lack of documentation in knowing just exactly what your
license permitted and didn't permit based on non-present and
disconnected documentation that was not easily identified or verifiable.

It is highly unlikely that the new policy and EULA is retroactive. You
get whatever is the EULA in the copy that you actually buy. We have
several OEM version copies that do require they were purchased with
hardware and have to track those together (just like we have to track
separately the pre-installed OEM copies and the retail copies). If you
know of an official statement from Microsoft that retroactively modifies
all existing OEM EULAs (which is probably only for the non-preinstalled
OEMs) so they no longer require hardware despite what the EULA says that
is included with the product, I'd sure like to see it. Then we wouldn't
have to track the OEM and hardware together. Would make it a lot easier
to manage licenses.

I've posted the phone numbers. Call them yourself if you don't believe me.

Alias

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The Windows 25-character Product _Key_ (required to perform the
installation) is stored on the CD packaging on a bright orange sticker
that says "Do not lose this number." If it was an OEM (factory
installed) license, it's stored on a label that the PC manufacturer
affixed to the exterior of the PC case, or on the bottom of a laptop.

To recover a lost Product Key:

If your system still runs, you should be able to use Belarc
Advisor from http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html to find the
Product Key. (If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and
haven't since reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably
of the drive image used at the factory and not _your_ specific Product
Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not
be -- used for a re-installation.)

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, and someone has removed/destroyed the
label, you should contact you the computer's manufacturer; although
very few manufacturers/vendors keep records of the Product Keys
they've sold, it's worth a try before you have to buy a new license.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

Okay, since I made the stupid mistake of installing Win
XP Pro over my Home Edition, and I don't have an XP Home
disc, where can get another product key so I can use Win
XP on the other computer now with getting that stupid 30
activation nonsense?

Depends - but probably you are not entitled to. If your Home came with
the machine (and it sounds as if it did) then it was an OEM license to
that machine only and non-transferable. And if your Pro was an Upgrade
CD, the Home license is needed to complete the license for the Pro

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Alias;
As was mentioned before when you stated this, a verbal comment from
the tech is all but worthless.
No major businesses including Microsoft change major policy with
nothing more than a telephone conversation.
There must more to your source or it is no source at all.
Where is this policy change reflected on the website?

 

[Alias]

Alias;
As was mentioned before when you stated this, a verbal comment from
the tech is all but worthless.
No major businesses including Microsoft change major policy with
nothing more than a telephone conversation.
There must more to your source or it is no source at all.
Where is this policy change reflected on the website?

If you don't believe me, call them yourself and then get back to me. If the
activation department doesn't know this, who does? We called three times and
talked to three different ACTIVATION operators and *all* of them said the
same thing. Why don't you go for four and ask them what web page? I don't
have time to search through Microsoft's humongous web site, do you?

Alias

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If you can't support what you say, possibly you should not say.

 

[Alias]

If you can't support what you say, possibly you should not say.

Whatever. I guess you can't afford to call them. Until you do, you have no
argument. The phone calls *are* my support and you can confirm it easily if
you can pry yourself away from your computer and use the phone.

Alias

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

I suppose I may, but if three of them could not give you a reference,
perhaps it is because a reference does not exist.

 

[Ted]

MS apologist?

I suppose I may, but if three of them could not give you a reference,
perhaps it is because a reference does not exist.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

If the
activation department doesn't know this, who does?

The corporate legal department, or perhaps a formal statement from
the public relations department. Until we see something from them,
you're just blowing smoke, and you know it.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You don't even divulge your real name, but we're expected to take
your word on the matter? Don't be silly. As you've been told
repeatedly, until you can point to an official, verifiable public
statement made by a Microsoft representative, you're not going to be
believed.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Not really. JJ's just asking Alias to provide some sort of
evidence to indicate that his claim has a basis in reality. To date,
Alias has steadfastly declined to do so, offering instead a report of
his alleged telephone conversation(s) with one or more individuals who
do not even work in a department of Microsoft that would have any say
or knowledge of the matter.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH


MS apologist?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Ted;
Whatever you want to say...
You may believe everything you hear from whatever source without
question, but I don't.
Verbal is nearly worthless.

Whether I agree with the policy or not is not relevant, supporting
documentation is very relevant.
You have no idea where I stand on the issue since I have not stated
it.
Your comment "MS apologist?" suggests to me you will believe anything
that sounds good to you regardless the source.
But if it disagrees with you, it must be wrong or misinterpreted
regardless the source.
Your comment is also quite meaningless in the context of this thread.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


MS apologist?

 

[hermes]

Okay, since I made the stupid mistake of installing Win
XP Pro over my Home Edition, and I don't have an XP Home
disc, where can get another product key so I can use Win
XP on the other computer now with getting that stupid 30
activation nonsense?

If Win XP home came preinstalled on your laptop, you can call the
manufacturer for replacement CDs. I don't advise using the WinXP Home
license for another pro install and I don't think the key would work
anyway. But what you can do is replace the XP Home CD (burn a copy from
a friend or order it from OEM laptop manufacturer) and go ahead and use
the code, then you can use both of your copies of WinXP. See the below
sites for more info. You may also want to read the M$ EULA and the OEM
EULA so that you can identify which parts you may find unconscionable.
Good luck!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/
http://microscum.com/mmpafaq/
http://www.windows-sucks.com

--
hermes
DRM sux! Treacherous Computing kills our virtual civil liberties!
http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/index.html
http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html
http://anti-dmca.org/
http://www.eff.org/IP/DMCA/unintended_consequences.php

Windows XP crashed.
I am the Blue Screen of Death.
No one hears your screams

 

[*Vanguard*]

I've posted the phone numbers. Call them yourself if you don't
believe me.

Alias

You did? Where? Are they 800 (toll-free) telephone numbers?