olddude

There are two parts to this question. The OEM install disc that came with the Compaq has no key word. When installing using this disk, the key word question is never asked during installation or at anytime after installation. I'm assuming that when one buys a new computer, the OS disk supplied with the computer does not require a key code. When creating an install disk using nlite and using the OEM OS disk, nlite presents a window requesting the key code. If there is a key code it is hidden from the user and nlite. I tried simply leaving the key code blank and nlite continued through slipstreaming and all the other processes and I burned an installation disk. When installing XP from the nlite disk, the key code window was presented and windows accepted a blank key code. However, whenever I turn on windows XP it asks me for a key code and tells me that I have 30 days left to register XP. olddude

I have exactly the same problem. My Compaq came with an OEM XP home w/ SP1a. Using nlite, I slipstreamed SP3 with the OEM disk. When nlite asked for the key word I left it blank for creating my new, unattended boot disk. During the install process, I was asked for the key word. I left it blank and the installation continued, but when running XP it asks for the key word. How do I deal with this problem? I think mrwolf has the same problem. olddude.