Windows XP and Action Pack, etc.... CD keys, activation?

P

pattyjamas

For a small PC consulting firm, I have a few legal Enterprise Editions
of Microsoft Office 2003, Windows XP Pro/SP2 and Windows 2003 Server.
Also have Action Pack-never used yet. Want to use this under certain
circumstances.

We have a customer who just called us and has a need for a reinstall of
Windows XP PRO but lost their CD (cannot find any CD's right now due to
building move). They can show us Invoice they paid for various MSFT
producs including XP PRO..

****Should we use our Enterprise CD's OR Action PACK to get them up and
running Monday or over the weekend?

I know about the EULA and such but I am more concerned about losing any
future use of these CD's due to any activation and such.

****Do CD keys come with the Action Pack or do you have to call
Microsoft for each one you need?

Do you lose an activation with each install?

Thanks,
Patty
 
Y

Yves Leclerc

For a small PC consulting firm, I have a few legal Enterprise Editions
of Microsoft Office 2003, Windows XP Pro/SP2 and Windows 2003 Server.
Also have Action Pack-never used yet. Want to use this under certain
circumstances.

We have a customer who just called us and has a need for a reinstall of
Windows XP PRO but lost their CD (cannot find any CD's right now due to
building move). They can show us Invoice they paid for various MSFT
producs including XP PRO..

****Should we use our Enterprise CD's OR Action PACK to get them up and
running Monday or over the weekend?

I know about the EULA and such but I am more concerned about losing any
future use of these CD's due to any activation and such.

****Do CD keys come with the Action Pack or do you have to call
Microsoft for each one you need?

Do you lose an activation with each install?

Thanks,
Patty
 
Y

Yves Leclerc

Action Pack should normal have their own CD Keys

Microsoft does not have an Enterprise Edition of XP Pro. They have OEM,
Retail and Volumem Licensing versions.

CD Keys are unique for each version. You can not mix keys with the other
verisons.

OEM versions of XP can not be transferred/move to different PCs, after the
first install.

Volume License versions of XP may not require Product Activations (not
sure???)
 
M

Michael Stevens

In
For a small PC consulting firm, I have a few legal Enterprise Editions
of Microsoft Office 2003, Windows XP Pro/SP2 and Windows 2003 Server.
Also have Action Pack-never used yet. Want to use this under certain
circumstances.

We have a customer who just called us and has a need for a reinstall
of Windows XP PRO but lost their CD (cannot find any CD's right now
due to building move). They can show us Invoice they paid for various
MSFT producs including XP PRO..

****Should we use our Enterprise CD's OR Action PACK to get them up
and running Monday or over the weekend?

I know about the EULA and such but I am more concerned about losing
any future use of these CD's due to any activation and such.

****Do CD keys come with the Action Pack or do you have to call
Microsoft for each one you need?

Do you lose an activation with each install?

Thanks,
Patty

It has to be the same version CD to use the customers Product Key. I doubt
your XP media will accept your customers PK.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
D

DJ Borell

It sounds to me like you're asking if you can use the media to install it,
but the customer's Product Key. I don't see why this would be an issue. As
long as you're installing the same version (OEM, retail) as they have a
license for.

Your Action Pack subscription software is, if I'm not mistaken, OEM, not
retail. If you look at the CD sleeves for each product, you'll find the
Product Keys on the back. Obviously, you cannot use these keys for your
customer's installation, but if they purchased OEM versions, I see no reason
why you can't use your media to do the install.
 
L

Leythos

****Do CD keys come with the Action Pack or do you have to call
Microsoft for each one you need?

The action PAC comes in a nice package with sheets of paper with printed
keys on them - there are 5 sticky strips (orange) and each has 2
activations for XP and MS Office. There are other papers for other
licenses. Each time you install using one of the keys the remote system
registers a key, you get two installs per Key. I don't recall any of my CD
sleeves having keys on the back of them.

Also, the action pack is only good for 1 year unless renewed - if they
exceed the year and don't renew they must uninstall the software.

As for your media, I don't know if the AP Media will work with other keys
- since they include a LARGE Blue/White CD binder and send quarterly
updates, it's easy to spot provided they keep the CD's and keys inside it.
 
P

pattyjamas

Great info. Thanks so much. Did not know Action Pack expired. SO yu are
saying that the software put on a machine with the Action Pack will
expire? Seems odd but I am not doubting you. Or are you saying the
software on the Action Pack will expire if not installed in a year or
same year as purchased?

Thanks
Patty
 
L

Leythos

Great info. Thanks so much. Did not know Action Pack expired. SO yu are
saying that the software put on a machine with the Action Pack will
expire? Seems odd but I am not doubting you. Or are you saying the
software on the Action Pack will expire if not installed in a year or
same year as purchased?

No, I'm saying that the action pack is a subscription based solution that
requires renewal every year in order to maintain the right to use it. If
you purchase it in Jan 05 you may use it until Jan 06, if you don't renew
it you must uninstall it on Jan 06. The licensing is quite clear about
this. The software does not disable itself, it will continue to run, but
you would be in violation of the licensing agreement - and since the AUP
is designed for a BUSINESS that promotes MS Solutions, I would imagine
that the threat of a BSA fine would be something to consider - the cost to
renew the AP was $200 last time I looked.
 
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Listen, I was an MSDN partner for a few years and accordingly an Action Pack Subscriber (about the time Vista launched and Server 2003 R2)

You CAN activate Action Pack releases over and over. For one thing they usually have a volume license (typically 3 installs each). At that point the online activation will get spooked and demand you call Microsoft. So just do that. If the automated touch-tone sequence doesn't activate for you, then you'll talk to a rep. Explain that you have the Action Pack even though they won't suggest it. They'll ask if you have home, retail, blah blah, just say Action Pack and when they ask why you're putting it on a different computer. Explain that your motherboard died (and/or other components like your hard disk. They will courteously provide you with that 72 digit number which will activate your OS, including upgrade/service packs.
 

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