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Using OEM XP Professional Product Key

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8 replies

by balfour

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I am installing Windows XP Professional on a Compaq EVO W4000 that has a legitimate XP Professional Product Key sticker on the side of it. I do not have the OEM installation CD that originally came with this workstation. My goal is to be able to install XP from another CD and use the product key from the sticker. Is this possible? If so, how do I accomplish it? I've tried entering the key from the sticker during install and it won't take it. Please advise.

8 replies

by jamesrl

I've done exactly the same thing with a Dell, and they walked me through the workaround after asking me a few questions.

James

by balfour

so do I install XP with the bunk product key first, and then call M$ or do I call them first? if I call them first, what is the phone number?

by jamesrl

It installed the software fine, then upon completion, when I tried to activate, it gave me a screen which told me to call Microsoft and gave me the number.

I had to give them the original key on the side of the case. They asked me how old the system was, where it was purchased. Then they gave me a key that would work.

James

by ozi eagle

Hi,

Is the CD you are trying to load from an OEM CD or a retail cd?

Different flavours of CD have their own series of key numbers, that will not work with other flavours.

Herb

by lezduur

You have to modify the contents of the xp pro cd's setupp.ini file, located in the i386 directory.
make an exact copy of the cd on the hdd, in iso format, extract the file mentioned above, and modify it so that it's first segment's last three characters are OEM, and not the numbers.
replace that file, using poweriso, to create a OEM cd image, in iso form. burn that iso.
install with that cd, and your serial works.

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