XP Product Key, Need to change from Volume Key to OEM Keys....HELP!!

[booth.bud]

Ok, so here's the issue. At my work, all of our new machines that came
in from Dell were re-imaged with XP using Ghost. A Volume License Key
purchased by our company was used within Sysprep mini-setup. Problem
being, evidently, we are no longer compliant. IWe've tried using the
Microsoft scripts to change the XP Volume License Key over to the OEM
key provided on the sticker located on each machine to cover our
licensing accordingly. However, since the install was done with VLK
media, evidently it will not accept the OEM key.

I've read on other groups that the only way to fix this is to do a
repair install with the OEM cd, then enter the OEM product key.
Unfortunately, we've got over 200 machines to do this to. Is there an
easier way to convert the VLK installation over to change the keys to
OEM as they are supposed to be?

 

[paulmd]

Ok, so here's the issue. At my work, all of our new machines that came
in from Dell were re-imaged with XP using Ghost. A Volume License Key
purchased by our company was used within Sysprep mini-setup. Problem
being, evidently, we are no longer compliant. IWe've tried using the
Microsoft scripts to change the XP Volume License Key over to the OEM
key provided on the sticker located on each machine to cover our
licensing accordingly. However, since the install was done with VLK
media, evidently it will not accept the OEM key.

I've read on other groups that the only way to fix this is to do a
repair install with the OEM cd, then enter the OEM product key.
Unfortunately, we've got over 200 machines to do this to. Is there an
easier way to convert the VLK installation over to change the keys to
OEM as they are supposed to be?

As long as you have a sticker for each machine, I don't see how you
could be non-compliant... Did domeone from Microsoft tell you this in
an audit, or what exactly happened?

 

[Bud]

Well, the person that keeps track of licensing has sort of been
questioning our Microsoft Rep. It seems that our Volume Licenses were
purchased to cover Win2k installations. However, like you said, we
still have the OEM key on each machine, so we thought we would be
covered. The rep at Microsoft has led us to believe that because the
volume install and OEM install are different, that not using the OEM
keys makes us not compliant. However, we don't want to tell him what
was actually done, as we don't want to trigger an audit.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You do not have to change the VL Product Key
to an OEM Product Key. However, you must
purchase a Windows XP Volume License Agreement
covering all your installations to be compliant. If you
only have a Windows 2000 VLA, then you are not
in compliance.

See the following: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| Well, the person that keeps track of licensing has sort of been
| questioning our Microsoft Rep. It seems that our Volume Licenses were
| purchased to cover Win2k installations. However, like you said, we
| still have the OEM key on each machine, so we thought we would be
| covered. The rep at Microsoft has led us to believe that because the
| volume install and OEM install are different, that not using the OEM
| keys makes us not compliant. However, we don't want to tell him what
| was actually done, as we don't want to trigger an audit.

 

[Bud]

The VLA we have is for XP, however, it was purchased to cover Win2k
installations as we could no longer purchase 2k licenses. I did find
another link that another Microsoft MVP posted stating the following:
"What you need to do is contact Dell and ask them to trade-in
your OEM licenses for VL licenses. Otherwise, you'll have to
enter each OEM Product Key manually and then activate
Windows XP at each workstation."

I think I'm going to give that a try first rather than re-install on
174 machines just to put in a different product key. Plus, if we've
already got OEM licenses on the machines, it wouldn't make sense to
purchase additional licenses when they should already be covered by the
OEM license. I'm going to look into trading in the OEM licenses for a
VLA to cover the installs. I can guarantee that is how the rest of our
purchases will be done to avoid this in the future. Honest mistake.

 

[paulmd]

The VLA we have is for XP, however, it was purchased to cover Win2k
installations as we could no longer purchase 2k licenses. I did find
another link that another Microsoft MVP posted stating the following:
"What you need to do is contact Dell and ask them to trade-in
your OEM licenses for VL licenses. Otherwise, you'll have to
enter each OEM Product Key manually and then activate
Windows XP at each workstation."

I think I'm going to give that a try first rather than re-install on
174 machines just to put in a different product key. Plus, if we've
already got OEM licenses on the machines, it wouldn't make sense to
purchase additional licenses when they should already be covered by the
OEM license. I'm going to look into trading in the OEM licenses for a
VLA to cover the installs. I can guarantee that is how the rest of our
purchases will be done to avoid this in the future. Honest mistake.

All of your XP licences are legally purchaced, I really don't see any
reason to mess. Even if you got an audit you'll come out legal enough.
I'd put future installs on the Volume licence, however.

 

[kurttrail]

Ok, so here's the issue. At my work, all of our new machines that came
in from Dell were re-imaged with XP using Ghost. A Volume License Key
purchased by our company was used within Sysprep mini-setup. Problem
being, evidently, we are no longer compliant. IWe've tried using the
Microsoft scripts to change the XP Volume License Key over to the OEM
key provided on the sticker located on each machine to cover our
licensing accordingly. However, since the install was done with VLK
media, evidently it will not accept the OEM key.

I've read on other groups that the only way to fix this is to do a
repair install with the OEM cd, then enter the OEM product key.
Unfortunately, we've got over 200 machines to do this to. Is there an
easier way to convert the VLK installation over to change the keys to
OEM as they are supposed to be?

I need to change my XP Product Key:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#18

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Ok, so here's the issue. At my work, all of our new machines that came
in from Dell were re-imaged with XP using Ghost. A Volume License Key
purchased by our company was used within Sysprep mini-setup. Problem
being, evidently, we are no longer compliant. IWe've tried using the
Microsoft scripts to change the XP Volume License Key over to the OEM
key provided on the sticker located on each machine to cover our
licensing accordingly. However, since the install was done with VLK
media, evidently it will not accept the OEM key.

That's correct. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and
language of CD and/or license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade)
with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product
Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version
of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used
with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not
work to install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work
with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be
mixed & matched.

I've read on other groups that the only way to fix this is to do a
repair install with the OEM cd, then enter the OEM product key.

Correct.


Unfortunately, we've got over 200 machines to do this to. Is there an
easier way to convert the VLK installation over to change the keys to
OEM as they are supposed to be?

Creating a disk image for each make and model of PC, using the OEM CD
and Product Key. Deploy this image to all of the target machines. When
each machine prompts for activation, change the Product Key to the
correct one for that specific computer.

(Or purchase enough additional Volume Licenses to put yourselves back
in compliance.)



--

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

All of your XP licences are legally purchaced, I really don't see any
reason to mess. Even if you got an audit you'll come out legal enough.
I'd put future installs on the Volume licence, however.

All of their licenses *weren't* legally purchased. The Dell OEM
licnese were removed. It's really quite simple: the firm purchased only
X licenses, but performed X+200 installations. That would be viewed as
rampant software piracy.



--

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

 

[ANONYMOUS]

The way I see it, it would be cheaper to get a volume license for all
the PCs and do a global corporate wide re-installation. Doing the way
you want i.e. using OEM keys will take you foreever because each machine
has its own unique key. I think you have said you have more than 200
systems to change!!! Mind boggles how many contractors you will need?
I can join your corporation for this task!!