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#1
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO
and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? |
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#2
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
-- Jonah "Jordan" wrote in message ... I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? |
#3
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sam/msia.mspx -- Carey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows XP - Shell/User Be Smart! Protect Your PC! http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Jordan" wrote: | I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO | and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to | install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it | already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. | The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, | Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. | | Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am | responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with | the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid | product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not | have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which | computer. | | No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my | desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and | post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this | activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a | ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set | to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a | spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. | | Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed | version of Windows XP? |
#4
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
1. You take care of a hundred computers.
2. You don't know how to find out what was installed on any of these hundred computers, or how to retrieve the install key from said computers. What a load of bull s**t you ladle out! -- Regards, Richard Urban aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-) If you knew as much as you thought you know, You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew! "Jordan" wrote in message ... I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? |
#5
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Jordan wrote:
I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? Sounds suspiciously like a troll post, since you don't seem to know enough to be responsible for one computer let alone hundreds. G -- Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP http://michaelstevenstech.com For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader. http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm |
#6
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Ever heard of "Volume Licenses"?
-- Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your service! "Jordan" wrote in message ... I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? |
#7
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Thank you for all the people that posted how to inventory a PC. I
appreciate the info, but I already have that info and that is not the problem that I am facing, but Thank you. For all of you that did not READ the post and are being wise asses, I know WHAT is installed on the computers, but I can't match the original CD with the exact computer. For example, I have tag on the side of the computer xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx - Great! Now I need to reinstall the OS for reason ?????. Since I keep my network up to date all the computers are on XP SP2. Here's the problem. The PC says that it is SP2 however did this PC ship with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2??? If I reinstall with SP2 instead of SP1a or any other combination that is not the original version shipped then I get an error when I enter the tag number affixed to the side of the computer. I just tried to reinstall the OS on one of my newer PCs and it must have shipped with SP1a or earlier because the number is coming up "Invalid" right when I enter it even before I try to activate over the Internet. I am not trying to fish out you loosers that are trying to crack XP's activation. I am trying to find a way to know what verion of XP and Office where "installed originally" because my stupid tags don't say the service pack number on them. They just say Windows XP Pro. I DON'T want to just put on one of my numbers that are the same version of the CD that I just reinstalled with because I then have two PCs with the same product ID number. What am I supposed to do? Tape the CD's that came with the PC to the side as well? Sometimes I order 5 or more PCs at a time from a small local vendor so all my CD's manuals, etc. come in one big box while the PCs come in their own boxes. How do I match up the CD's incase one box was made when a new SP came out? I am also complaining about the stupid requirements to put those dumb stickers with my ID codes right on the PC. Any employee, visitor, or the cleaning lady can just write down the number and post it on the Internet then I get screwed. "Richard Urban" wrote in message ... 1. You take care of a hundred computers. 2. You don't know how to find out what was installed on any of these hundred computers, or how to retrieve the install key from said computers. What a load of bull s**t you ladle out! -- Regards, Richard Urban aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-) If you knew as much as you thought you know, You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew! "Jordan" wrote in message ... I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? |
#8
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Maybe you should actually try reading the post instead of being a wise ass!
If I could keep my stupid key on the CD case then I could easily look at what key was used on the machine with some MS tools and a thousand other key tools. When I need to reinstall I could use the key reader or look on my inventory sheet to see what key is on the PC and get the CD that has that key number on it. MS making it so my XP, XP SP1, SP1a, and SP2 keys cannot be installed on each version when the patches and updates are FREE makes no sense. It is not like when you purchased Win 95 and they had OEM Service Release 2 which had a bunch of new cool stuff in it specifically for OEM distributers to market their new PCs. It is stupid to make it so I have all my PCs on Windows XP SP2 and force me to use my Release, SP1, or SP1a CD to roll back everything and then reinstall SP2 when I should just be able to use SP2 to begin with. There is nothing in my previous post that could indicate that I am trolling for any hackers so maybe you should not comment if your just going to post paraniod replies. "Michael Stevens" wrote in message ... Jordan wrote: I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? Sounds suspiciously like a troll post, since you don't seem to know enough to be responsible for one computer let alone hundreds. G -- Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP http://michaelstevenstech.com For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader. http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm |
#9
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Oh, you mean the licensing arrangement that screws me over by not giving me
all the media and documentation and charges me more for my licenses than when I purchase them through my vendor when I buy a new PC. Is that the one you mean???? "Admiral Q" wrote in message ... Ever heard of "Volume Licenses"? -- Star Fleet Admiral Q @ your service! "Jordan" wrote in message ... I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? |
#10
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
"Jordan"
You wrote " I just tried to reinstall the OS on one of my newer PCs and it must have shipped with SP1a or earlier because the number is coming up "Invalid" right when I enter it even before I try to activate over the Internet." I did not see your earlier post so excuse me if my suggestion is wide of the mark. It seems your problem is to match the media type of the CD you are using to install upgrade a system to the media type of the CD which was originally used to install Windows XP on that system. My understanding is that OEM software comes with a restrictive license that says it can only be used with the hardware it originally came with. So if the CD's are OEM then used on a machine other than the original the license keys will be rejected BEFORE you get to the activation. On the CD in the i386 folder, open the setupp.ini file and look to see what is on the PID= line? If the line is 5 numerals ending in OEM then that CD will not work on any computer other than the one it was originally used for. |
#11
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Your inability to manage the CDs you have is evidence you need Volume
Licensing. Perhaps you need a different vender if the one you currently use does not support your needs. -- Jupiter Jones [MVP] http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/ "Jordan" wrote in message ... Oh, you mean the licensing arrangement that screws me over by not giving me all the media and documentation and charges me more for my licenses than when I purchase them through my vendor when I buy a new PC. Is that the one you mean???? |
#12
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
"Jordan" wrote in message ... Maybe you should actually try reading the post instead of being a wise ass! If I could keep my stupid key on the CD case then I could easily look at what key was used on the machine with some MS tools and a thousand other key tools. When I need to reinstall I could use the key reader or look on my inventory sheet to see what key is on the PC and get the CD that has that key number on it. MS making it so my XP, XP SP1, SP1a, and SP2 keys cannot be installed on each version when the patches and updates are FREE makes no sense. It is not like when you purchased Win 95 and they had OEM Service Release 2 which had a bunch of new cool stuff in it specifically for OEM distributers to market their new PCs. It is stupid to make it so I have all my PCs on Windows XP SP2 and force me to use my Release, SP1, or SP1a CD to roll back everything and then reinstall SP2 when I should just be able to use SP2 to begin with. There is nothing in my previous post that could indicate that I am trolling for any hackers so maybe you should not comment if your just going to post paraniod replies. Nothing paranoid in my reply, just observation that you don't know what you are doing or talking about. All you have to do is make a slipstreamed XP CD for each version of XP you have with the appropriate Service Pack rolled into it. What keeps you from using a spreadsheet to list your keys? It's not like you need a CD with each key and put the product id inside the case if your employees are that disgruntled. -- Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP http://michaelstevenstech.com For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader. http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm "Michael Stevens" wrote in message ... Jordan wrote: I had to do an in place upgrade for my computer since I replaced the MOBO and processor so I thought I would save myself the hassle of having to install SP2 all over again and just use one of my CDs that has SP2 on it already since I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine. The problem is that when it comes time to enter my "VALID" product ID, Windows tells me it is invalid before it even checks with MS. Why does this have to be such a pain? I have a hundred computers that I am responsible to keep up to date and I cannot tell which computer came with the release of XP, SP1, SP1a, or SP2. If I was allowed to keep my stupid product ID labels on my CD case rather than the computer case I might not have the problem of knowing which CD and version was installed on which computer. No, instead I have to take my product ID labels and fasten them to my desktops where every disgruntled employee can write down the numbers and post them on the Internet so that all my licenses are voided. How does this activation stuff protect me again???? All I can see is that I have to do a ton more work and keep more file cabinets full of junk to match each cd set to each PC rather than just keeping my key codes in a safe place and a spreadsheet telling me which key is on what PC. Is there at least some way I can find out what was the original installed version of Windows XP? Sounds suspiciously like a troll post, since you don't seem to know enough to be responsible for one computer let alone hundreds. G -- Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP http://michaelstevenstech.com For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader. http://michaelstevenstech.com/outloo...snewreader.htm |
#13
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
Thanks,
You were pretty close, but I am not trying to upgrade to SP2. I had to reinstall over because a software change went bad. I only knew that I had SP2 on there now and was not sure if the unit came with the SP2 or was an SP1a that got updated in the past couple of weeks. The time was just to close to tell. As a part of normal practice I update the PC with all the latest patches and updates as the rest of the PCs so until now I never really cared what came on the unit because it was going to be the latest when I put it in service I am just irritated that I have OEM machines with Release, SP1, SP1a, and SP2 and it seems the keys will not work across versions even though the updates from Release to SP2 are free. As far as using the CD for the one the unit came with, that might be the case for Dell or Compaq, but for the average OEM it seems that if you can use any CD to reinstall over (In place upgrade/reinstall/repair) the same version as the original install. I can use the SP2 key with any SP2 CD and the same for SP1a and SP1 as well as Released. "Uncle John" wrote in message ... "Jordan" You wrote " I just tried to reinstall the OS on one of my newer PCs and it must have shipped with SP1a or earlier because the number is coming up "Invalid" right when I enter it even before I try to activate over the Internet." I did not see your earlier post so excuse me if my suggestion is wide of the mark. It seems your problem is to match the media type of the CD you are using to install upgrade a system to the media type of the CD which was originally used to install Windows XP on that system. My understanding is that OEM software comes with a restrictive license that says it can only be used with the hardware it originally came with. So if the CD's are OEM then used on a machine other than the original the license keys will be rejected BEFORE you get to the activation. On the CD in the i386 folder, open the setupp.ini file and look to see what is on the PID= line? If the line is 5 numerals ending in OEM then that CD will not work on any computer other than the one it was originally used for. |
#14
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
It is not the inability to manage the CD's. It is the unnecessary
inconvenience that MS has now imposed on me. I don't even really mind the activation "that much" but when my vendor is forced to put my ID numbers on my units for all the world to steal and then my valid ID numbers don't work accross service packs, that is irritating. My vendor is pretty good and they are only doing what MS tells them to do so it is not their fault. Its the policy, not the people enforcing it. "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote in message ... Your inability to manage the CDs you have is evidence you need Volume Licensing. Perhaps you need a different vender if the one you currently use does not support your needs. -- Jupiter Jones [MVP] http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/ "Jordan" wrote in message ... Oh, you mean the licensing arrangement that screws me over by not giving me all the media and documentation and charges me more for my licenses than when I purchase them through my vendor when I buy a new PC. Is that the one you mean???? |
#15
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Activation stinks because I can't reinstall....
This is nothing new.
Many others succeed in managing their computers and probably with far more computers than you have. If you do not like the terms you your agreements, change OS, venders or both. However this statement of yours tells a lot : "I don't know what originally was purchased for this machine" Why? How do you control your assets from theft and other similar problems if you do not even know what you have. No changes from Microsoft or anyone else for that matter can make up for these major shortcomings in your companies IT department. The internal shortcomings of the IT department should be fixed first or the problems will continue no matter where you go. -- Jupiter Jones [MVP] http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/ "Jordan" wrote in message ... It is not the inability to manage the CD's. It is the unnecessary inconvenience that MS has now imposed on me. I don't even really mind the activation "that much" but when my vendor is forced to put my ID numbers on my units for all the world to steal and then my valid ID numbers don't work accross service packs, that is irritating. My vendor is pretty good and they are only doing what MS tells them to do so it is not their fault. Its the policy, not the people enforcing it. "Jupiter Jones [MVP]" wrote in message ... Your inability to manage the CDs you have is evidence you need Volume Licensing. Perhaps you need a different vender if the one you currently use does not support your needs. -- Jupiter Jones [MVP] http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/ |
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