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OS Boot Choice Selection

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13 replies

by davidg47

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I recently set up a new network with a few Windows XP Pro client machines, and a Windows 2000 SB Server. When I first began the setup of the client machines, we didn't have enough XP Pro licenses, so I loaded the same copy on a couple of the client machines until we could purchase some more licenses. When I obtained the additional licenses, I started to do a new install of XP on one of the client machines when I was told that all I needed to do is run a little utility to change the serial number on the machine. So I ran the utility and successfully made the change. But now everytime we boot up the same machine, we get the choice of running Windows XP, or running the Windows XP setup. If you do not select the choice to run Windows XP, it will automatically go into the setup screens. Where can I go into the registry to remove the option of going into the Win XP setup?

13 replies

by aliz

you must go to commnad prompt by typing "cmd" in the run menu and then
type "attrib boot.ini -h -s -r"
then
"edit boot.ini"
and now you can modify the startup fileand change it's defualt startup and delete the win XP setup option from it.

by pctech

Hi

On the license issue, should you be audited, all you need is a license for each OS installed, and software. All they want is proof that you spent your money, not so much that your installation represents an installation with a seperate productID.
When we have several PCs to set up, we install the OS and software using one license and then Ghost the rest of the PCs from that installation. Seperate software is purchased for each PC, but we never break the seals on any but the one. All youreally need is the license for each one. Think about it, when you buy CALs, all you get is a piece of paper saying that you bought them. . I know this does not answer your question, it is just to save you some headaches in the future.

by davidg47

Sounds nice, but as you know... XP will disable itself if you do not go through the registration process within 30 days of the initial registration. And if you attempt to register the same serial number more than once, it will require that you call Microsoft and go through the ID number etc and get a registration number from them. It was much easier and faster to run my little application that changes the serial number in all the extra client machines, then run the online registration using thenew serial number.

by scott.heath

If you buy the corporate version (not sure if you have to buy a certain minimum) from Microsoft, there is no activation. We have only one key we use for all XP machines here.

by riverfreight

Going into the registry,if that is what you actually meant to say, is a copyright and/or patent violation. Instead; go to c:/ and bring up the fac file called Deny, this is common to all computers now. {I say that ze that most computers out there come out of the box with absolutely no installation, set-up or activation; so in that case I haven't a clue as to what you can do.}

by pctech

Hi,

It is my fault for not explaining that the activation was done at the time of the initial installation. This includes both the OS and Office XP. We ghosted this to other identical configured systems. These systems were online for 10 months before being pulled out service ( the company went out of business ) and we ( we had the contract to maintain the network ) NEVER had any issues. Updates and patches worked flawlessly, including SP1. This was a server/client network with five workstations, four of which were ghosted from the initial installation of the first workstation. We not only did not have to install everything on each system, we only had to enter the ID number once, for the OS and the Office package. Ghosting several systems is a considerable time saver over installing everything to each individual system. This is legal since every system had it's seperate software, just never opened. Guess what, we never ran any app, on any system, to put an unique number on each system. There was no need to do this. ... Did you actually think that big companies install everything to 100's or 1000's of computers by physically installing everything per computer? Granted, they have a corporate license and pay for each install, but it is the same setup process.

by uch

Edit the BOOT.INI file and remove the line that points to the setup option... QED!

NB: U might need to show Hidden/system Protected files.

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