XP Product key question

[billh]

Is it possible to identify what type of XP installation CD a product key is
for? For example, can you tell if a key is for a OEM CD instead of a Retail
CD just by looking at the numbers/letters.

Thanks
Billh

[R. C. White]

Hi, Bill.

Yes, you can tell an OEM product key.

Do you have a more specific question?

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"billh" > wrote in message
...
> Is it possible to identify what type of XP installation CD a product key
is
> for? For example, can you tell if a key is for a OEM CD instead of a
Retail
> CD just by looking at the numbers/letters.
>
> Thanks
> Billh

[billh]

Apart from what is the method, no. I have a paranoid friend who never keeps
the keys (OEM and Retail Upgrade) with his CDs - he puts them in an encryped
text file that he copies to CD (several). Anyway he didn't note in the file
which key went with which XP CD. He wanted to do a reinstall and did guess
the correct one (at least it worked). I was wondering if there was an
identifiable coding to the key numbers.
Billh

"R. C. White" > wrote in message
...
> Hi, Bill.
>
> Yes, you can tell an OEM product key.
>
> Do you have a more specific question?
>
> RC
> --
> R. C. White, CPA
> San Marcos, TX
>
> Microsoft Windows MVP
>
> "billh" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Is it possible to identify what type of XP installation CD a product
key
> is
> > for? For example, can you tell if a key is for a OEM CD instead of a
> Retail
> > CD just by looking at the numbers/letters.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Billh
>

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"billh" > wrote in message
. ..
> Apart from what is the method, no. I have a paranoid friend who never
keeps
> the keys (OEM and Retail Upgrade) with his CDs - he puts them in an
encryped
> text file that he copies to CD (several). Anyway he didn't note in the
file
> which key went with which XP CD. He wanted to do a reinstall and did guess
> the correct one (at least it worked). I was wondering if there was an
> identifiable coding to the key numbers.
> Billh

BillH.

There is no publicly available way for an end user to determine the type of
product key (Retail, OEM, VL etc etc ) they have from the 5 groups of 5
characters.
--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"billh" > wrote in message
. ..
> Apart from what is the method, no. I have a paranoid friend who never
keeps
> the keys (OEM and Retail Upgrade) with his CDs - he puts them in an
encryped
> text file that he copies to CD (several). Anyway he didn't note in the
file
> which key went with which XP CD. He wanted to do a reinstall and did guess
> the correct one (at least it worked). I was wondering if there was an
> identifiable coding to the key numbers.
> Billh
>
> "R. C. White" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi, Bill.
> >
> > Yes, you can tell an OEM product key.
> >
> > Do you have a more specific question?
> >
> > RC
> > --
> > R. C. White, CPA
> > San Marcos, TX
> >
> > Microsoft Windows MVP
> >
> > "billh" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Is it possible to identify what type of XP installation CD a product
> key
> > is
> > > for? For example, can you tell if a key is for a OEM CD instead of a
> > Retail
> > > CD just by looking at the numbers/letters.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > > Billh
> >
>
>

[Johan Van DerWhel]

On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 12:02:08 -0500, "billh"
> wrote:

>Apart from what is the method, no. I have a paranoid friend who never keeps
>the keys (OEM and Retail Upgrade) with his CDs - he puts them in an encryped
>text file that he copies to CD (several). Anyway he didn't note in the file
>which key went with which XP CD. He wanted to do a reinstall and did guess
>the correct one (at least it worked). I was wondering if there was an
>identifiable coding to the key numbers.
>Billh
>
I just copy mine to a couple of floppies. If I need then they're to
copy . He could store his CDs in his safe deposit box at the bank if
he is that paranoid. I see no use in doing what he is does.

[billh]

"Johan Van DerWhel" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 23 Mar 2004 12:02:08 -0500, "billh"
> > wrote:
>
> >Apart from what is the method, no. I have a paranoid friend who never
keeps
> >the keys (OEM and Retail Upgrade) with his CDs - he puts them in an
encryped
> >text file that he copies to CD (several). Anyway he didn't note in the
file
> >which key went with which XP CD. He wanted to do a reinstall and did
guess
> >the correct one (at least it worked). I was wondering if there was an
> >identifiable coding to the key numbers.
> >Billh
> >
> I just copy mine to a couple of floppies. If I need then they're to
> copy . He could store his CDs in his safe deposit box at the bank if
> he is that paranoid. I see no use in doing what he is does.

I think his idea is that if somebody steals his CDs they won't be able to
use it bu the still has it handy. I make sure my keys are with the CD since
I would never find them if they weren't :-)
Billh