XP Pro OEM Activation

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K

Kernel

Since the OEM version is 'bios locked' and can not be installed on any other
machine, will it activate automatically if reinstalled in less than 120
days?
 
No. Any software that is required to be activated do not activate
online automatically within 120 days. However, there are always
the exception to the rule. The exception is that if you have used
exactly the same drivers as before then all the details on your
system will be the same as Microsoft database entries and so it
might activate automatically.

I understand Microsoft is not bothered that much with XP
activation because it was flawed from the start and they lost
interest in them. I wouldn't worry about activation these days
because a telephone call always does the job pretty quickly and
efficiently.

Incidentally, there is a misnomer of bios locked OS. It does nor
apply in all the countries. I use DELL branded OS and I can
easily install it on any machine that I build. I am based in the
UK and the OS I have used thus far are Dell Original (SP0), SP1
and SP2 versions as well. I have also used HP's branded OS and
that too installs on my machines. Surprisingly, I also used the
same serial numbers as those that came with DEll or HP machines
and also tried to interchange them and still no problems.

All in all activation on XP systems is becoming a joke so go
ahead, install and enjoy.

hth
 
Yes,providing you did not add\change any of the hardware . If you did then refer to
the answer by Cheng

--
Peter
Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
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Since the OEM version is 'bios locked' and can not be installed on any other
machine, will it activate automatically if reinstalled in less than 120
days?
Click to expand...

OEM doesn't mean BIOS locked. OEM can be a customized OS install CD by
a vendor, an OEM CD you bought from a vendor like Newegg (which you
are only allowed to install on 1 PC, ever), or what Dell does to the
"OEM" CD you got when you bought your system: it will only install on
a Dell. I don't think it will automatically install in 120 days. If
you entered a valid install key, it will continue to work but go into
reduced functionality (nag) mode after a period of time. After which
you'll have to activate via Internet or other methods.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
 
Thee Chicago Wolf said:
OEM doesn't mean BIOS locked. OEM can be a customized OS install CD by
a vendor, an OEM CD you bought from a vendor like Newegg (which you
are only allowed to install on 1 PC, ever), or what Dell does to the
"OEM" CD you got when you bought your system: it will only install on
a Dell. I don't think it will automatically install in 120 days. If
you entered a valid install key, it will continue to work but go into
reduced functionality (nag) mode after a period of time. After which
you'll have to activate via Internet or other methods.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
Click to expand...

I used the phrase often used in this newsgroup regarding OEM
versions...'bios locked'. Never cared much for that phrase myself, but used
it to simplify my query. An advanced google search for 'bios locked' in
this newsgroup brought up 1,910 entries; so I guess it's a rather common
term.
 
Kernel said:
Since the OEM version is 'bios locked' and can not be installed on
any other machine, will it activate automatically if reinstalled in
less than 120 days?
Click to expand...

Not enough information, Kernel.

Which OEM version? (That little tidbit of info would help tremendously!)

If you are referring to certain branded-OEM versions like Dell that have
Sytem-Locked Preactivation integrated into the CD and matching data
hard-coded to the motherboard's CMOS chip, then yes, you could say your
version is BIOS-locked and you would *never* have to activate XP -- no
matter how many times or how often you install it (since it is
automatically in a perpetually pre-activated state).

Otherwise...
 
Thee said:
OEM can be a customized OS install CD by
a vendor, an OEM CD you bought from a vendor like Newegg (which you
are only allowed to install on 1 PC, ever)
Click to expand...

How does that work? Or, are you not allowed, but still can?
 
Daave said:
Not enough information, Kernel.

Which OEM version? (That little tidbit of info would help tremendously!)

If you are referring to certain branded-OEM versions like Dell that have
Sytem-Locked Preactivation integrated into the CD and matching data
hard-coded to the motherboard's CMOS chip, then yes, you could say your
version is BIOS-locked and you would *never* have to activate XP -- no
matter how many times or how often you install it (since it is
automatically in a perpetually pre-activated state).

Otherwise...
Click to expand...


XP Pro OEM Version 2002 Part No. X-14-72249. I installed that one in a
laptop. That CD will not install with any product code except the one that
came with it. I tried to use that CD and the product code with an OEM CD
that had a couple of corrupted files...it wouldn't accept any of the codes.
So I talked to Microsoft and they replaced the defective CD.

I have other OEM CDs, and they too will only install with the code that came
with the CD. I'm surprised that Cheng Heng was able to mix up the OEM CDs
and product codes. I installed an OEM CD in the new computer that I built,
and would like to wipe it and make a cleaner installation, but I'm a few
weeks shy of the 120 day magic deadline. I don't care much for trying to
insert 50 digits from an automated female, or talking to employees in India,
and Okinawa, who I can barely understand.
 
Kernel said:
XP Pro OEM Version 2002 Part No. X-14-72249. I installed that one
in a laptop. That CD will not install with any product code except
the one that came with it. I tried to use that CD and the product
code with an OEM CD that had a couple of corrupted files...it
wouldn't accept any of the codes. So I talked to Microsoft and they
replaced the defective CD.
I have other OEM CDs, and they too will only install with the code
that came with the CD. I'm surprised that Cheng Heng was able to mix
up the OEM CDs and product codes. I installed an OEM CD in the new
computer that I built, and would like to wipe it and make a cleaner
installation, but I'm a few weeks shy of the 120 day magic deadline. I
don't care much for trying to insert 50 digits from an automated
female, or talking to employees in India, and Okinawa, who I can
barely understand.
Click to expand...

If this is a generic-OEM installation, there is no BIOS-locked routine
and you would have to reactivate if you don't wait the full 120 days.

If you want to avoid that scenario in the future, simply create an image
of your hard drive once the OS is installed (actually, you should
continue to create incremental images -- but definitely save your early
images!). Then you won't ever have a need to reinstall XP.
 
Daave said:
If this is a generic-OEM installation, there is no BIOS-locked routine and
you would have to reactivate if you don't wait the full 120 days.

If you want to avoid that scenario in the future, simply create an image
of your hard drive once the OS is installed (actually, you should continue
to create incremental images -- but definitely save your early images!).
Then you won't ever have a need to reinstall XP.
Click to expand...

I've been doing that for quite some time, creating an image to avoid
activation. Actually I use a clone, not an image, and can swap
hard drives at will. I have on/off switches to select the desired drive.

But, always seeking perfection, I like to create a new installation of
the OS to tweak one thing or another. So the only way to have the
best of both worlds is to activate and make the clone right after the
XP Bliss screen appears, and that requires all my programs to be
reinstalled; that won't work for me. What I'd prefer is for the world's
richest man to cut me a little slack and back off on the WGA thingie poo...
perhaps do like Pizza Hut, after I've bought five I get the sixth one free
: - )
 
Thee Chicago Wolf said:
I used the phrase often used in this newsgroup regarding OEM
versions...'bios locked'. Never cared much for that phrase myself, but used
it to simplify my query. An advanced google search for 'bios locked' in
this newsgroup brought up 1,910 entries; so I guess it's a rather common
term.
Click to expand...

It's not to say some sneaky OEM wouldn't do the equivalent of a BIOS
locked OEM install and tie the re-install CD to that method.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
 
Thee said:
How does that work? Or, are you not allowed, but still can?
Click to expand...

Since I've always bought retail installs of my CDs and never an OEM, I
can't say with 100% certainty. You are legally tying that OEM install
to that PC only. Even if you uninstall and wipe the HD you can't
install that OEM license to a new system. You can do this (legally)
with a retail copy. Dig around the MS site to see the difference
between an OEM copy and retail if you feel like it.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
 
Thee Chicago Wolf said:
Since I've always bought retail installs of my CDs and never an OEM, I
can't say with 100% certainty. You are legally tying that OEM install
to that PC only. Even if you uninstall and wipe the HD you can't
install that OEM license to a new system. You can do this (legally)
with a retail copy. Dig around the MS site to see the difference
between an OEM copy and retail if you feel like it.

- Thee Chicago Wolf [MVP]
Click to expand...

I too preferred retail versions, but they have become very scarce,
and some cost more than Win 7. Wish I could purchase a retail
product code for a reasonable price.
 
How does that work? Or, are you not allowed, but still can?
Click to expand...

MS says you *may* not. The reality is that if you wait 120 days, you can
install a generic XP OEM on another computer and it will activate on
line and become genuine.
 
Kernel said:
But, always seeking perfection, I like to create a new installation of
the OS to tweak one thing or another. So the only way to have the
best of both worlds is to activate and make the clone right after the
XP Bliss screen appears, and that requires all my programs to be
reinstalled; that won't work for me.
Click to expand...

This is where mulitple images are superior to one cloned hard drive.

Make an image of the drive immediately after you install the OS and
activate it. Then if you ever want to perform the equivalent of a Clean
Install *any* time and without needing to reactivate, simply restore the
image.

And create other images while you're are it:

- Clean Install plus SP3 and all subsequent security patches

- Clean Install plus SP3 and all subsequent security patches with your
customizations

- Clean Install plus SP3 and all subsequent security patches with your
customizations and with all your programs

Keep these image archives in a safe place. Make copies of them -- hard
drive space is cheap these days.

Advantage: Never a need to reinstall the OS (which means never worrying
again about activating).
 
Daave said:
And create other images while you're are it:

- Clean Install plus SP3 and all subsequent security patches

- Clean Install plus SP3 and all subsequent security patches
with your customizations

- Clean Install plus SP3 and all subsequent security patches
with your customizations and with all your programs

Keep these image archives in a safe place. Make copies of them
-- hard drive space is cheap these days.
Click to expand...

Macrium Reflect is excellent for that. I also include a category/copy
for hardware drivers.
 
Alias said:
MS says you *may* not. The reality is that if you wait 120 days, you can
install a generic XP OEM on another computer and it will activate on line
and become genuine.
Click to expand...

Well hello Alias, good to see you're still around and kickin!. I've enjoyed
your tidbits for about ten years I'd guess. You are wise beyond your
years...thanks.
 
John Doe said:
Macrium Reflect is excellent for that. I also include a category/copy
for hardware drivers.
Click to expand...

I'll try Macrium Reflect, looks like it's free. How can it image when the
OS is running? I've used only Drive Image 2002 since, well, 2002, for
cloning (in Caldera DOS).
 
Kernel said:
I'll try Macrium Reflect, looks like it's free. How can it
image when the OS is running? I've used only Drive Image 2002
since, well, 2002, for cloning (in Caldera DOS).
Click to expand...

I recall being told that uses something called "shadow copy".
Apparently it works without problems, but I usually take my hands
off the keyboard/mouse when it is copying.

It also compresses the images. I have been using it with an SSD
drive as primary for over a year. I even used it to move to a new
motherboard and (if I recall correctly) also from a conventional
hard drive to my SSD drive. Yes, the copies happen from within
Windows and quick. The restore from the free version boot CD takes
forever (here anyway), but if you have to restore Windows
frequently, something is wrong with your operation. So, during a
restore, I find something else to do.
 
John said:
I recall being told that uses something called "shadow copy".
Apparently it works without problems, but I usually take my hands
off the keyboard/mouse when it is copying.

It also compresses the images. I have been using it with an SSD
drive as primary for over a year. I even used it to move to a new
motherboard and (if I recall correctly) also from a conventional
hard drive to my SSD drive. Yes, the copies happen from within
Windows and quick. The restore from the free version boot CD takes
forever (here anyway), but if you have to restore Windows
frequently, something is wrong with your operation. So, during a
restore, I find something else to do.
Click to expand...

Macrium Reflect sounds a lot like DriveImageXML.

Yes, it can take a long time to restore an image. The good news is you
don't have to do anything while it's happening. Actually, sleeping is a
good idea. :-)
 
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