Windows XP on disk Product Activation Code?

[ka6uup]

I came across a U-Tube video telling you how to find your Product
Activation Code on the XP Installation Disk.
It is in the i386\Unattend.txt at the bottom of the page.
I checked and sure enough there is a code there.
However, I have 4 windows XP disks and it is the same for each one and
not the same as any of the activation codes in the disk envelope or package.
What is this all about?
Chuck

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

I came across a U-Tube video telling you how to find your Product
Activation Code on the XP Installation Disk.
It is in the i386\Unattend.txt at the bottom of the page.
I checked and sure enough there is a code there.
However, I have 4 windows XP disks and it is the same for each one and
not the same as any of the activation codes in the disk envelope or package.
What is this all about?
Chuck

That is an OEM key used to pre-activate XP so that the end user doesn't
have to enter a key when starting up the first time. It only works
with OEM PCs (like Dell, HP, etc.). The actual key for those PCs is
the one on the sticker, but it isn't used except in unusual
circumstances.

 

[ka6uup]

That is an OEM key used to pre-activate XP so that the end user doesn't
have to enter a key when starting up the first time. It only works
with OEM PCs (like Dell, HP, etc.). The actual key for those PCs is
the one on the sticker, but it isn't used except in unusual
circumstances.

Thanks

 

[Dominique]

That is an OEM key used to pre-activate XP so that the end user doesn't
have to enter a key when starting up the first time. It only works
with OEM PCs (like Dell, HP, etc.). The actual key for those PCs is
the one on the sticker, but it isn't used except in unusual
circumstances.

Out of curiosity, I've just checked my generic OEM XP Home disk and there
is such a key and it's not the same that was on the COA sticker that came
with the disk. Since this disk is not related to an OEM manufacturer (like
Dell, HP, etc.), I think I would still need to activate an installation
using this key, assuming that it would work; which I doubt.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Out of curiosity, I've just checked my generic OEM XP Home disk and there
is such a key and it's not the same that was on the COA sticker that came
with the disk. Since this disk is not related to an OEM manufacturer (like
Dell, HP, etc.), I think I would still need to activate an installation
using this key, assuming that it would work; which I doubt.

I'm not that familiar with the generic OEM CDs, but I suspect you are
correct.

--
Zaphod

"So [Trillian], two heads is what does it for a girl?"
"...Anything else [Zaphod]'s got two of?"
- Arthur Dent

 

[Paul]

I'm not that familiar with the generic OEM CDs, but I suspect you are
correct.

Mine required activation. It's a generic OEM (equiv to what you could
buy on Newegg as an OEM version).

The Dell/HP/Acer/Gateway ones, would be "royalty OEM" and based on SLIC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS#SLIC

Paul