XP Licensing?

[Eray]

I have several questions about licensing.
1. I have a original XP cd with cd-key, and the small book as well (i mean
whole package) however the sticker on the computer is missing. So if i do not
have the sticker, does that mean the package i have is illegal?

2. Can we use original xp cds and cd keys without sticker?

3. i have one cd which is a Microsoft Licensing cd and it contains xp
however it says Volume License Product Key Required. I have volume license cd
key as well. Can i use that cd without sticker?

4. Is there a way to buy stickers for these cds? I mean these cds purchased
and they are original cds but stickers are missing.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have several questions about licensing.

1. I have a original XP cd with cd-key, and the small book as well
(i mean whole package) however the sticker on the computer is
missing. So if i do not have the sticker, does that mean the
package i have is illegal?

No. It means (if you say you had a sticker on the computer) that you have
an OEM license and you have lost the product key (most important part of the
whole deal.) You should - if the installation running on the machine was
actually installed using the product key from the sticker that should be on
your machine - be able to obtain the product key from the running operating
system using a tool like Magic JellyBean KeyFinder or Belarc Advisor. Then
you have a complete package again. The CD and the Product Key. It would be
good to find the receipt that came with said CD/computer too - and keep
those handy/safe.

2. Can we use original xp cds and cd keys without sticker?

XP CDs? If you see above and you have the product key - you can use that
CD. However - inferring from the information you have given - that license
is permanently tied to the machine it was first installed on - given it is
an OEM version. Meaning you cannot legitimately (in accordance with the
agreement - EULA) install it again on any other machine.

3. i have one cd which is a Microsoft Licensing cd and it contains
xp however it says Volume License Product Key Required. I have
volume license cd key as well. Can i use that cd without sticker?

You seem obsessed with the sticker on the side of the machine - which
historically only comes with OEM licensed products. You say here you have a
VOLUME LICENSE CD. If you have that CD - then you should have a product key
for it. A volumen license product key is unlikely to have come on a
sticker. ;-)

4. Is there a way to buy stickers for these cds? I mean these cds
purchased and they are original cds but stickers are missing.

Again - this obsession with the sticker. The sticker is nothing. The
product key on the sticker is the important part - and if you don't have an
OEM version - it is unlikely you have a sticker on the side of your
computer. If you so much need the sticker - get your product key (the heart
of a licensed version anyway) and some "Avery" labels and a printer and make
up stickers with the product key on it and stick it on the side of the
computers... Although I REALLY do not recommend that. Just get the product
keys and put them in a safe place.

 

[David B.]

Only the OEM versions of XP come with the product key sticker, if you have
the blue or green envelope then that is the retail version, the product key
is inside that envelope, there will be no sticker to attach to the PC.
Shenan has covered pretty much everything else.

 

[Eray]

thanks both of you or answers. Actually i have a cd + a cd key + a small blue
book. I do not have any recipts and any envelope? Is theye a way that i can
learn my cd-keys are oem keys or retail keys?

 

[David B.]

IIRC the OEM's came with a blue pamphlet. I believe you can call Microsoft
with the product key and they will tell you.

 

[Eray]

i called them. they said i have to find the puchase reciepts to fidd out if
its oem or retail. This is riddiculus. But anyway, the answer is if they are
oem, then i cannot use them without a sticker. If they are retail, i can use
them without a sticker. i just started to worf for a company and they gave me
bunch of cds and they want me to find out if they are valid or not. i mean i
really do not know what to do. i have like 10 cds some of them is dell xp
cds, however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers. i am really
confused. And i have no reciepts, no information where or when they bought
this XPs. Microsoft has to have some system that you enter your cd key and
get informations about that key in the sense of date purchased and stuff like
that. I mean the licensing system they have is just riddiculus. They have
like hundred different license types and even you can not track what kind of
license you have. i really do not what to do. I just wanna make sure that i
am not using these XPs, which they purchased, as illegal. i mean what is my
proof here. Are cds and cd-keys considerable as a proof of license?

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

Stickers aren't important. It's the numbers on the sticker that are
important. You don't need a sticker if you have the number.

If you didn't keep receipts, blame no one but yourself.

:i called them. they said i have to find the puchase reciepts to fidd out if
: its oem or retail. This is riddiculus. But anyway, the answer is if they
are
: oem, then i cannot use them without a sticker. If they are retail, i can
use
: them without a sticker. i just started to worf for a company and they gave
me
: bunch of cds and they want me to find out if they are valid or not. i mean
i
: really do not know what to do. i have like 10 cds some of them is dell xp
: cds, however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers. i am really
: confused. And i have no reciepts, no information where or when they bought
: this XPs. Microsoft has to have some system that you enter your cd key and
: get informations about that key in the sense of date purchased and stuff
like
: that. I mean the licensing system they have is just riddiculus. They have
: like hundred different license types and even you can not track what kind
of
: license you have. i really do not what to do. I just wanna make sure that
i
: am not using these XPs, which they purchased, as illegal. i mean what is
my
: proof here. Are cds and cd-keys considerable as a proof of license?
:
: "David B." wrote:
:
: > IIRC the OEM's came with a blue pamphlet. I believe you can call
Microsoft
: > with the product key and they will tell you.
: >
: > --
: >
: > ----
: > Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: >
_________________________________________________________________________________
: >
: >
: > : > > thanks both of you or answers. Actually i have a cd + a cd key + a
small
: > > blue
: > > book. I do not have any recipts and any envelope? Is theye a way that
i
: > > can
: > > learn my cd-keys are oem keys or retail keys?
: > >
: > > "David B." wrote:
: > >
: > >> Only the OEM versions of XP come with the product key sticker, if you
: > >> have
: > >> the blue or green envelope then that is the retail version, the
product
: > >> key
: > >> is inside that envelope, there will be no sticker to attach to the
PC.
: > >> Shenan has covered pretty much everything else.
: > >>
: > >> --
: > >>
: > >> ----
: > >> Crosspost, do not multipost
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: > >>
_________________________________________________________________________________
: > >>
: > >>
: > >> : > >> >I have several questions about licensing.
: > >> > 1. I have a original XP cd with cd-key, and the small book as well
(i
: > >> > mean
: > >> > whole package) however the sticker on the computer is missing. So
if i
: > >> > do
: > >> > not
: > >> > have the sticker, does that mean the package i have is illegal?
: > >> >
: > >> > 2. Can we use original xp cds and cd keys without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 3. i have one cd which is a Microsoft Licensing cd and it contains
xp
: > >> > however it says Volume License Product Key Required. I have volume
: > >> > license
: > >> > cd
: > >> > key as well. Can i use that cd without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 4. Is there a way to buy stickers for these cds? I mean these cds
: > >> > purchased
: > >> > and they are original cds but stickers are missing.
: > >>
: > >>
: >
: >

 

[Eray]

i did not buy these products. how come do i keep the reciepts? thx for the
answers by the way.

Stickers aren't important. It's the numbers on the sticker that are
important. You don't need a sticker if you have the number.

If you didn't keep receipts, blame no one but yourself.

:i called them. they said i have to find the puchase reciepts to fidd out if
: its oem or retail. This is riddiculus. But anyway, the answer is if they
are
: oem, then i cannot use them without a sticker. If they are retail, i can
use
: them without a sticker. i just started to worf for a company and they gave
me
: bunch of cds and they want me to find out if they are valid or not. i mean
i
: really do not know what to do. i have like 10 cds some of them is dell xp
: cds, however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers. i am really
: confused. And i have no reciepts, no information where or when they bought
: this XPs. Microsoft has to have some system that you enter your cd key and
: get informations about that key in the sense of date purchased and stuff
like
: that. I mean the licensing system they have is just riddiculus. They have
: like hundred different license types and even you can not track what kind
of
: license you have. i really do not what to do. I just wanna make sure that
i
: am not using these XPs, which they purchased, as illegal. i mean what is
my
: proof here. Are cds and cd-keys considerable as a proof of license?
:
: "David B." wrote:
:
: > IIRC the OEM's came with a blue pamphlet. I believe you can call
Microsoft
: > with the product key and they will tell you.
: >
: > --
: >
: > ----
: > Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: >
_________________________________________________________________________________
: >
: >
: > : > > thanks both of you or answers. Actually i have a cd + a cd key + a
small
: > > blue
: > > book. I do not have any recipts and any envelope? Is theye a way that
i
: > > can
: > > learn my cd-keys are oem keys or retail keys?
: > >
: > > "David B." wrote:
: > >
: > >> Only the OEM versions of XP come with the product key sticker, if you
: > >> have
: > >> the blue or green envelope then that is the retail version, the
product
: > >> key
: > >> is inside that envelope, there will be no sticker to attach to the
PC.
: > >> Shenan has covered pretty much everything else.
: > >>
: > >> --
: > >>
: > >> ----
: > >> Crosspost, do not multipost
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: > >>
_________________________________________________________________________________
: > >>
: > >>
: > >> : > >> >I have several questions about licensing.
: > >> > 1. I have a original XP cd with cd-key, and the small book as well
(i
: > >> > mean
: > >> > whole package) however the sticker on the computer is missing. So
if i
: > >> > do
: > >> > not
: > >> > have the sticker, does that mean the package i have is illegal?
: > >> >
: > >> > 2. Can we use original xp cds and cd keys without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 3. i have one cd which is a Microsoft Licensing cd and it contains
xp
: > >> > however it says Volume License Product Key Required. I have volume
: > >> > license
: > >> > cd
: > >> > key as well. Can i use that cd without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 4. Is there a way to buy stickers for these cds? I mean these cds
: > >> > purchased
: > >> > and they are original cds but stickers are missing.
: > >>
: > >>
: >
: >

 

[Eray]

also you are telling that if you have the numbers that is enough. CD-Keys
were written on the original cds by hand. how am i gonna proof that it is
really my cdkey?

Stickers aren't important. It's the numbers on the sticker that are
important. You don't need a sticker if you have the number.

If you didn't keep receipts, blame no one but yourself.

:i called them. they said i have to find the puchase reciepts to fidd out if
: its oem or retail. This is riddiculus. But anyway, the answer is if they
are
: oem, then i cannot use them without a sticker. If they are retail, i can
use
: them without a sticker. i just started to worf for a company and they gave
me
: bunch of cds and they want me to find out if they are valid or not. i mean
i
: really do not know what to do. i have like 10 cds some of them is dell xp
: cds, however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers. i am really
: confused. And i have no reciepts, no information where or when they bought
: this XPs. Microsoft has to have some system that you enter your cd key and
: get informations about that key in the sense of date purchased and stuff
like
: that. I mean the licensing system they have is just riddiculus. They have
: like hundred different license types and even you can not track what kind
of
: license you have. i really do not what to do. I just wanna make sure that
i
: am not using these XPs, which they purchased, as illegal. i mean what is
my
: proof here. Are cds and cd-keys considerable as a proof of license?
:
: "David B." wrote:
:
: > IIRC the OEM's came with a blue pamphlet. I believe you can call
Microsoft
: > with the product key and they will tell you.
: >
: > --
: >
: > ----
: > Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: >
_________________________________________________________________________________
: >
: >
: > : > > thanks both of you or answers. Actually i have a cd + a cd key + a
small
: > > blue
: > > book. I do not have any recipts and any envelope? Is theye a way that
i
: > > can
: > > learn my cd-keys are oem keys or retail keys?
: > >
: > > "David B." wrote:
: > >
: > >> Only the OEM versions of XP come with the product key sticker, if you
: > >> have
: > >> the blue or green envelope then that is the retail version, the
product
: > >> key
: > >> is inside that envelope, there will be no sticker to attach to the
PC.
: > >> Shenan has covered pretty much everything else.
: > >>
: > >> --
: > >>
: > >> ----
: > >> Crosspost, do not multipost
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: > >>
_________________________________________________________________________________
: > >>
: > >>
: > >> : > >> >I have several questions about licensing.
: > >> > 1. I have a original XP cd with cd-key, and the small book as well
(i
: > >> > mean
: > >> > whole package) however the sticker on the computer is missing. So
if i
: > >> > do
: > >> > not
: > >> > have the sticker, does that mean the package i have is illegal?
: > >> >
: > >> > 2. Can we use original xp cds and cd keys without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 3. i have one cd which is a Microsoft Licensing cd and it contains
xp
: > >> > however it says Volume License Product Key Required. I have volume
: > >> > license
: > >> > cd
: > >> > key as well. Can i use that cd without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 4. Is there a way to buy stickers for these cds? I mean these cds
: > >> > purchased
: > >> > and they are original cds but stickers are missing.
: > >>
: > >>
: >
: >

 

[sgopus]

Your making it much too confusing.
Original cd key (not handwritten) is valid no sticker is required if not OEM
version.
if you have only Handwritten install key, then most likely it's not valid.
Volume license (no sticker required) can be installed on how ever many
license you have purchased, if you have no proof of purchase your out of
luck.

also you are telling that if you have the numbers that is enough. CD-Keys
were written on the original cds by hand. how am i gonna proof that it is
really my cdkey?

Stickers aren't important. It's the numbers on the sticker that are
important. You don't need a sticker if you have the number.

If you didn't keep receipts, blame no one but yourself.

:i called them. they said i have to find the puchase reciepts to fidd out if
: its oem or retail. This is riddiculus. But anyway, the answer is if they
are
: oem, then i cannot use them without a sticker. If they are retail, i can
use
: them without a sticker. i just started to worf for a company and they gave
me
: bunch of cds and they want me to find out if they are valid or not. i mean
i
: really do not know what to do. i have like 10 cds some of them is dell xp
: cds, however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers. i am really
: confused. And i have no reciepts, no information where or when they bought
: this XPs. Microsoft has to have some system that you enter your cd key and
: get informations about that key in the sense of date purchased and stuff
like
: that. I mean the licensing system they have is just riddiculus. They have
: like hundred different license types and even you can not track what kind
of
: license you have. i really do not what to do. I just wanna make sure that
i
: am not using these XPs, which they purchased, as illegal. i mean what is
my
: proof here. Are cds and cd-keys considerable as a proof of license?
:
: "David B." wrote:
:
: > IIRC the OEM's came with a blue pamphlet. I believe you can call
Microsoft
: > with the product key and they will tell you.
: >
: > --
: >
: > ----
: > Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: >
_________________________________________________________________________________
: >
: >
: > : > > thanks both of you or answers. Actually i have a cd + a cd key + a
small
: > > blue
: > > book. I do not have any recipts and any envelope? Is theye a way that
i
: > > can
: > > learn my cd-keys are oem keys or retail keys?
: > >
: > > "David B." wrote:
: > >
: > >> Only the OEM versions of XP come with the product key sticker, if you
: > >> have
: > >> the blue or green envelope then that is the retail version, the
product
: > >> key
: > >> is inside that envelope, there will be no sticker to attach to the
PC.
: > >> Shenan has covered pretty much everything else.
: > >>
: > >> --
: > >>
: > >> ----
: > >> Crosspost, do not multipost
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
: > >> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
: > >>
_________________________________________________________________________________
: > >>
: > >>
: > >> : > >> >I have several questions about licensing.
: > >> > 1. I have a original XP cd with cd-key, and the small book as well
(i
: > >> > mean
: > >> > whole package) however the sticker on the computer is missing. So
if i
: > >> > do
: > >> > not
: > >> > have the sticker, does that mean the package i have is illegal?
: > >> >
: > >> > 2. Can we use original xp cds and cd keys without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 3. i have one cd which is a Microsoft Licensing cd and it contains
xp
: > >> > however it says Volume License Product Key Required. I have volume
: > >> > license
: > >> > cd
: > >> > key as well. Can i use that cd without sticker?
: > >> >
: > >> > 4. Is there a way to buy stickers for these cds? I mean these cds
: > >> > purchased
: > >> > and they are original cds but stickers are missing.
: > >>
: > >>
: >
: >

 

[Bruce Chambers]

i called them. they said i have to find the puchase reciepts to fidd out if
its oem or retail. This is riddiculus.

Why is it ridiculous? Did you think you were speaking to psychics?
How could they possibly know what you have?

But anyway, the answer is if they are
oem, then i cannot use them without a sticker.

The "sticker" is irrelevant; what you need is the Product Key, which is
only on a "sticker" if it's an OEM license.

If they are retail, i can use
them without a sticker.

That's because the retail Product Keys are affixed to the installation
CD's packaging, and not on a "sticker" affixed to the computer case.

i just started to worf for a company and they gave me
bunch of cds and they want me to find out if they are valid or not.

They need to ask which ever of their employees purchased them.

i mean i
really do not know what to do. i have like 10 cds some of them is dell xp
cds,

If the CSDs are labeled, then you know that their OEM licenses, and
permanently bound to the Dell PCs with which they were obtained.


.... however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers.

There will be no "stickers" on any OEM CDs, only retail.

i am really
confused. And i have no reciepts, no information where or when they bought
this XPs.

It sounds like that would be a very bad company for which to start
working; let's hope they're not as sloppy with your pay records as
they've apparently been with other documentation.

Microsoft has to have some system that you enter your cd key and
get informations about that key in the sense of date purchased and stuff like
that.

That's completely unreasonable. Why should Microsoft be expected to
maintain *your* employer's records for you? Isn't tht what you've been
hired to do?

I mean the licensing system they have is just riddiculus.

No, it's pretty much standard for the IT industry. Are yiou just out
of school and this your first job in the field?

They have
like hundred different license types ...

Less than a dozen, actually.

... and even you can not track what kind of
license you have.

Well, you can if you bother to try. I certainly have no trouble
keeping track of all the OS and application licenses for the hundreds of
workstations and several servers that I maintain. A simple spreadsheet
or database does the job quite nicely.

i really do not what to do. I just wanna make sure that i
am not using these XPs, which they purchased, as illegal. i mean what is my
proof here. Are cds and cd-keys considerable as a proof of license?

The Certificate of Authenticity is your proof of a valid license; only
a purchase receipt or invoice would be proof of ownership, though.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[WaIIy]

Why is it ridiculous? Did you think you were speaking to psychics?
How could they possibly know what you have?



The "sticker" is irrelevant; what you need is the Product Key, which is
only on a "sticker" if it's an OEM license.



That's because the retail Product Keys are affixed to the installation
CD's packaging, and not on a "sticker" affixed to the computer case.




They need to ask which ever of their employees purchased them.




If the CSDs are labeled, then you know that their OEM licenses, and
permanently bound to the Dell PCs with which they were obtained.


... however i searched the cases i found out only 4 stickers.

There will be no "stickers" on any OEM CDs, only retail.




It sounds like that would be a very bad company for which to start
working; let's hope they're not as sloppy with your pay records as
they've apparently been with other documentation.



That's completely unreasonable. Why should Microsoft be expected to
maintain *your* employer's records for you? Isn't tht what you've been
hired to do?




No, it's pretty much standard for the IT industry. Are yiou just out
of school and this your first job in the field?



Less than a dozen, actually.




Well, you can if you bother to try. I certainly have no trouble
keeping track of all the OS and application licenses for the hundreds of
workstations and several servers that I maintain. A simple spreadsheet
or database does the job quite nicely.




The Certificate of Authenticity is your proof of a valid license; only
a purchase receipt or invoice would be proof of ownership, though.

Give the guy a break, he's not running the IT department.

I would expect if Microsoft is putting a serial number on their sofware,
they should be able to tell if it's valid or not.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Give the guy a break, he's not running the IT department.

No, nor need he be. This is a simple problem-solving exercise, and
it's relation to software is really irrelevant. All the OP need is to
have completed the basic sort of problem-solving course that used to be
taught in high schools.

I would expect if Microsoft is putting a serial number on their sofware,
they should be able to tell if it's valid or not.

How? Magic?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot