On Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:39:18 -0800, Mark Adams
wrote:


I think this may solve your activation issue. It looks like you can make
more than one install from the same disk and product key, and then change the
key during activation to a key that you already have. Since you do have a
legitimate product key for your laptop, I don't see why this wouldn't work.
Check out the KB article. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/810892

Thanks for your time in trying to help me, but I already tried this.
And several other tools. The problem is that a retail installation of
XP (that is, an installation from a retail MS CD), will not accept an
OEM product key. I've been told this by MS reps after trying the
above. Only an OEM installation will accept an OEM key. That's why I
need to reinstall over my OS with an OEM CD, and I can't do that,
because OEM CDs don't offer that option, which is a "repair." They
only reinstall the entire system, removing all programs, tweaks, etc,
making you start froim scratch. As explained before, the OEM CD will
not boot into a DOS-type environment if Windows is installed, and if I
boot into Windows then ask the OEM CD to install anything, it tells me
it "cannot upgrade this version of Windows" -- meaning a retail
version. Cause otherwise they are the same version of the same OS.

As far as the slipstream question goes, I don't know if that can be done. My
experience with slipstreaming was limited to burning lots of coasters, though
I did manage to finally integrate SP2 into my SP1 CD!

;-) I had much success with nLite, slipstreaming my OEM CD with
hotfixes and upgraded Dell drivers, plus standard desktop tweaks. Too
bad when I needed to repair that installation the disc did me no good!

I am going to pursue the idea of slipstreaming repair options to the
OEM CD. If I get anywhere, I'll report back, if anyone is curious.

I *am* still curious if it is possible to download updates without
using WGA. I built my computer and made it pretty future proof, but
might like to upgrade the mobo or add much larger drives before too
long. When I do this, I'll be damned if I'm going to call MS to
explain why the PD Key no longer matches the hardware. Similarly, I
want to put a larger HD in the laptop next month.... changing just one
component might not create a problem, but you never know. IAC, CAN yu
get downloads without WGA? I *did* use autopatcher (IIRC) or one of
the alternative Window update sites when it was available, but MS
brought a suit. I know there are others now.... but when I looked into
it, the one I was investigating also required you allow WGA before
downloading anything. The new sites seem to be GUIs to MS's site, as
MS didn't want their material distributed from other sites (which I
can understand as the files could be compromised). However, this
allows MS to insist on the WGA again.... :-/