Windows XP RIS and Pirate Corporate Key

  • Thread starter Thread starter bcleever
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bcleever

Hi,

I have taken over administration of a few sites that use 2003 SBS and
RIS to deploy Windows XP Pro. It seems that the CD Key used in the
answer file is a pirate key and the PCs are displaying the the software
piracy message. All the PCs have their own XP license key stuck onto
the PC cases.
What I need to know is this:

Is there any way of replacing the Product Key taken from the RIS answer
file with the one on the case easily to get rid of the message?

i am hoping that I do not have to reinstall all of these PCs with their
recovery disks!

Thanks
 
Keys attached to cases are usually OEM keys, which will not work with a
volume-licensed copy.

I think the first thing to establish is why this is happening - is the
volume licence pirate, or is this a false positive? There should be some
documentation onsite to prove the existence of a volume licence.

If the management can't show you any paperwork, then they have the option of
either paying for a legitimate one, or else reverting to the OEM licences on
the computers. Which would mean reinstalling.

You could of course ask Microsoft if the licence belongs to your company. I
wouldn't do that without first discussing that option with management,
though. As man-in -the-middle you do need to tread a little cautiously here,
if the company is pirating and you 'rock the boat' they may just fire you and
get an engineer who IS prepared to pirate. Not a pleasant situation to be
in, but you need to play it carefully (or find another job, then report
them!) if that is the case.
 
Thanks for reply Ian,

The key is a pirate key and it was used to install the images via RIS
for ease of install. I have just tested running a repair over the
install with the oem CD and it allows me to put in the correct cd key.
It is a bit of a pain but it does work. I need to do this on all the
PCs now.

If anyone has an alternative suggestion that would be quicker than this
I would appreciate a comment!
 
Thanks for reply Ian,

The key is a pirate key and it was used to install the images via RIS
for ease of install. I have just tested running a repair over the
install with the oem CD and it allows me to put in the correct cd key.
It is a bit of a pain but it does work. I need to do this on all the
PCs now.

If anyone has an alternative suggestion that would be quicker than this
I would appreciate a comment!
Click to expand...

Simple: Deploy Windows XP OEM via RIS. Let the user input the key on the
sticker at the Windows Welcome page (Use a generic key for setup, you'll
even find them at microsoft.com!).
 
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