Re: Challenging XP Pro Activation - from image (please help)

On Oct 28, 2:49 pm, "HeyBub" <hey...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
riffin-rich wrote:
On Oct 28, 11:30 am, "HeyBub" <hey...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
riffin-rich wrote:
Please help. I need to activate windows for a second computer using
an image of the first computer I built (with one twist). Computer
#1, configured with XP Pro Upgrade edition, was built with the
Windows XP Pro (Upgrade ed.) using my existing Windows XP Home
edition disc to validate the upgrade disc. After fully configuring
the system with accounts, security policies, etc.., I made an image
of the installation using Acronis True Image (all is good).
I called MS to get assistance but the lady I spoke with told me that
it would cost $59 to get assistance because my install disc is an
"OEM" disc (bought from TigerDirect.com) and it states on the CD,
"For Distribution with a new CD only. For product support, contact
the manufacturer of your PC." Worst case is that I install from
scratch, but I don't want to waste all that time building a new
system from the ground up. I've done the work and saved the image,
so I'd prefer to use the image I have. Can anyone help me? Thanks
kindly, Rich

You may not use an OEM distribution on a second computer.

That should be the end of the story

Can anyone answer this question for me? If I were to build an image
from a full-distribution of Windows XP Pro (vs. an OEM distribution),
would my image work as I restored it on other systems:

a. if I used a full-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

b. if I used an OEM-distribution product key for each of the
systems?

I spent 4 days building the perfect load ... only to discover I can't
use it??? Can microsoft help me with this? Perhaps trade my license
given I can't return it (opened software) ... ?

You cannot use the same key on two different computers simultaneously. You
cannot use an OEM key on more than one computer, period. You may transfer
your retail license from one computer to another; you cannot transfer the
license from one OEM machine to anything else. If the OEM-licensed machine
croaks, the license is likewise a goner.

To answer your questions:
The restore from one machine to another of a retail license will work -
temporarily. The license must be re-activated, usually with a telephone
call.
a) You may use the retail key on a successor machine. The original machine
must have its OS rendered unusable.
b) You may use an OEM key for different machines if the OEM keys are
different.

HeyBub / all, please note I'm not using the same key on two different
systems--I have a unique key for each system ... this is completely
above board. Let me clarify.

Computer #1 was built with Windows XP Pro (the Upgrade edition),
upgraded from XP Home. After fully configuring the system with
accounts, security policies, etc.., I made an image of the
installation using Acronis True Image (all is good).

Now I've built Computer #2 using Computer #1's image (to save myself 3
days of tedious configuration work and have an exact duplicate of the
first system). Now I just need to activate Computer 2 with a NEW MS
Windows product key that I purchased--it is a FULL-Version OEM Windows
XP Pro (not the Upgrade edition). I followed the sequence in my first
post to change my product key to activate it, but Windows keeps
reporting that it is an invalid key. It's not. It's the key that
came with my new license.

Can anyone help me without having to pay M$ another $59 for support?
Thanks kindly, Rich

.

Relevant Pages

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