severach

Word: I install big name systems without activating all the time and you don't do it at all. Keep that in mind when arguing with my advice. The COA on the case isn't theirs after they sell it. The Royalty SLP Key isn't theirs either. If they had a VLK key that was theirs it would have been wiped or they are really dumb. With all the 1337 haxors and their Keyfinders, I'd never lease a system with a VLK key though I've seen it done. I would specifically buy big name systems for the express purpose that they contain a perfectly legal key that does noone any good to steal. The brand name doesn't matter. All the big brands work the same way. Typically the seller would leave the COA on to maintain resale value otherwise it's a trip to the Office store to buy Windows. If they were kind, they would do the original factory restore before selling it. If not, you can build a clean preactivated install CD from resources on the web. >I may try using a master key, but if it's more work then simply calling MS it begs the question - why? If this is the XP last install you're ever going to do then the call is plenty easy. If on the other hand, you plan on installing XP as often as the rest of us, calling Microsoft 5, 50, or 500 times per year gets old fast. I ain't too proud to not beg. >I may try using a master key The System Lock Preinstall key (aka master key) requires an OEM copy of Windows and the proper set of OEMBIOS files for your system all put together and burned to a CD. It's all or nothing! You make the call!

>I'm getting all sorts of problems Using the COA key forces the irritating call to Microsoft. Properly constructing a new install CD for your system eliminates the call and activation altogether. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=63258 >COA serial for that during install, it said it was invalid Hopefully you didn't try using a Pro key on a Home install. That won't work at all. >I was using OEM versions for both Windows installation OEM Single User License asks for a key. The side of case key will be accepted but you will need to beg Microsoft for an activation code. >Are the COAs for retail versions of those? If it says "Dell" or "Hewlett-Packard" or "OEM Software" on the sticker than Retail will not work. You must use a OEM edition. >If I were to use SP1 Windows CD and slipstream SP2 onto it Slipstreaming some OEM disks produces defective installs but it might work for you. The technique in the thread above has been rock solid. >so it can't be because of too many hardware changes Preinstalled systems are locked to the motherboard. Installing a motherboard made by a company other than the computer maker is the only hardware change that can invalidate your license. You can change anything else as often as you want. >would the serials work then as maybe those serials are only for SP1? There seem to be SP2 only CD keys for some other countries but everything in the US market so far has the same keys for SP1 and SP2. >I do have I think is a royalty oem key as when I was using Belarc Advisor, it showed the Windows key being different from the COA one The Royalty Key will never preactivate via Internet or phone if it is matched with the wrong OEMBIOS files. Once matched with the right OEMBIOS files, it will preactivate immediately and cause you no further trouble. >The only problem is I never realized you could do pre-activation and have already formatted the PC. Is it still possible to use the key? http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=71016 Not a problem. You need to visit another thread and grab the OEMBIOS files for each machine. These are the most likely ones for your systems: HP Pavillion ze2308wm: Hewlett-Packard & Compaq CD4E1902 0011903-00101 Dell Inspiron 700m: Dell B6F0EEFD 0011903-00102 You can Google missing keys from the PIDs above. You'll need to read the threads to avoid the pitfalls. >This is for Home as Pro only had a COA key. They are both brand name computers. Surely they both sold with Windows XP and came with a COA. Did someone peel one off?

>they both came with windows xp home on them >I have no use to find out their master key, when I have a valid product key all of my own. If you want the original Windows that didn't require activation you use the master (SLP) key. Dell shipped legal systems all with that master key having never typed a single COA key and you needn't either unless begging Microsoft for an activation code sounds like fun. >Besides, you must have misunderstood me, I bought an ex-lease desktop for $350 with keyboard monitor mouse and xp, not a laptop. nLite is currently compiling an installation, which hopefully will work. If that desktop still has it's Dell issued COA on the side the technique in that thread is the best way to make the disk. If they cut the key off to pawn it on eBay or found some way to buy a Dell without a Dell COA sticker then the technique will still work, it just won't be legal. If you don't have a running system from which to build the disk, you have the key and the OEMBIOS files are easy to obtain.

>how is this going to help here? It's not so easy after the laptop has been wiped and installed incorrectly out but it can be done with a little study. It's what he should have done before reinstalling. Once he sees how he should do it, he may come up with other options, such as pulling the files and key from a similar PC. >The poster is already using the royalty OEM install disk If it asks for activation he's not using the Royalty OEM disk. I think he's using a OEM Single User License and the side of case key in which case he'll get an activation code after begging. >He has already installed, so getkey.vbs only returns the key that he used (the one which couldn't activate), not the royalty key. Again, it's how he should obtain the key, a little harder now but doable.

>ahhh wel the crc is 2B9D18CF if that helps That is the generic CRC for Single User License non preactivated CD's. A SLP key will be accepted if it's an OEM copy but it will demand activation and you won't be able to get it. Those files need to be overwritten with 4 files that are appropriate for your system. Have you followed these instructions to build a new CD? http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=63258 The 4 OEMBIOS files do not need to be pulled from a running system. You can obtain the necessary files from Bezalel's Rapidshare http://rapidshare.de/users/LWN7M8 NEC & Packard Bell E32D3612 looks like a good choice. Google Packard Bell's PID to find a key. 0011903-00109

>I don't have much of a choice in the matter, as I have no way of knowing Acer's master key. If you don't have any friends with an Acer laptop or can't spend any time at a local computer store, try doing a Google search of Acer's SLP PID: 0011903-00100 The ones labeled SP1 are correct for SP2 in the US market area.

This can work when other techniques fail. Best results if run from IE. http://www.microsoft.com/genuine

>I'm now trying to get my anger down to a level where I can call again and try the whole thing one more time Posting to MSFN was an even better idea than calling a second time. >Now that's what I call service! >And what's the alternative? There aint none, cause I got to have my XP and it has to be activated One alternative, coming right up! http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=63258

>Part of the reason I dislike Dell's. There's lots of things to like about Dell. >I could NOT use someone else's OEM disc to install off and that I would have problems with Genuine advantage if I did This would refer to someone else's OEM COA System Builder disc which would go with his license. >One of Microsoft's support employees lied to me. Don't fault them for not being told how to correctly install a brand name PC. >I made a copy of that at one point slipstreamed with SP2 + hotfixes Don't waste time slipstreaming. Slipstreaming sometimes destroys the validity of the install. >it bypassed activation, and validated through WGA no problems You can have this for any brand name PC. >Always use the Sticker Key NEVER use the sticker key. There is a better way. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=63258

No, it's gone. I just reinstalled tonight and updated through IE. There was no EULA for WGA and RemoveWGA didn't see anything to remove afterwards. On a WGA infected system, I ran RemoveWGA then went to Windows Update in IE. There was no offer to put it back on. I rebooted, still no offer. Let's hope the next version of MRT will remove WGA.

Ok, let's try this one more time. Did anyone notice that you can no longer disable the download of KB905474? Neowin Post ... because it's not there at all!

>I would like to create a WXPMCE install DVD from my Dell Operating System Reinstallation DVD. http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=63258 >Is the $OEM$ folder necessary for MCE to install properly. Yes and no. You need it for the disk you're looking at because they have been integrated but you don't need it if you build a new disk and put your own driverpacks on it. http://www.driverpacks.net/ If Dell has provided you a real Windows install CD and not a crappy restore disk then you won't gain much by making your own.

>So, basicly if I would type in all the keys for Home and All the keys for Pro... and it would detect that is one or the other, and use the appropriate key To install home & pro from the same disk, wouldn't you just use CDShell like everyone else? With two separate folders, there's nothing to detect. The Pro keys would live in the pro folder and the home keys would live in the home folder. Seems to me the optimal way to produce the disk is to have CDShell test the BIOS and tell the user that the system isn't supported, instant confirmation, or continue installing the user's selected Windows. Half way through, a custom QFE, the same for all Windows, tests the BIOS again and updates the OEMBIOS set and another QFE, different for each Windows, changes the key. The key needs to be updated before the first logon before it is written to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\KEY-* where it is hard to delete.

>I’ve used jellybean numerous times in OEM <-> OEM, OEM->ROYALTY, ROYALTY<-OEM situations I'm told an old version of Jellybean will change a lot more than the new one. I never tried to figure it out. @Randy Rhoads Have you checked your DigitalProductID tests with MGADIAG to ensure that there is no diagnostic? >for those of us who like to be legit ??? It's not a matter of being legit. You must have a key that matches the version you're installing. For those of us who want to be super legit, we want the correct Royalty key to match the hardware. Deploying one key set to all hardware is the right way for a smacked bottom, just as the keygen'd VLK keys have turned out to be.

If you see a CRC you don't have just download it and see what it is. Did anyone notice that you can no longer disable the download of KB905474? [edit] False alarm. The checkbox is still available for Custom install.

Jellybean uses the Microsoft script, check the help. The scripts only support VLK->VLK changes. KeyUpdateTool is the only known tool that can change anything better and so far it's QOS record is poor. KeyUpdateTool doesn't support MCE at all, which means that there are no changes to MCE that KeyUpdateTool is authorized to make. I think it's mainly a VLK -> Retail key changer. >Well, the registry value change didnt de-activate Windows and still showed as activated when i ran msoobe /a command. Activation is calcuated only during WinLogon. The status is maintained until another WinLogon.

Bezalel, please upload to Rapishare these obsolete files. eMachines 1B7F1F55 Equus_Computer_Systems 397A095A NEC_&_Packard Bell 82D4D6A4 >Have you got panasonic's OEMBIOS. Bezalel doesn't update Rapidshare right away. Panasonic will be there soon.

>Of course if you are admin I highly insist you follow my guide That's a good way to secure IE that I've not seen before. My current techniques typically keep customers safe for more than a year and this should help to extend the time. Someone needs to write an installer for this. Installing it will attach it to all IE except for the icon that runs Windows Update. >I use SYSTEM I have run into things where it seemed that Administrator wasn't good enough. I'd like to know how to do that. If you can find "CREATOR OF ALL UNIVERSES" login mode, that would be even better. For virus scans I need to be able to read and write any files regardless of permissions. Can SYSTEM do that? Can anything do that?

Good. Maybe we can run KeyUpdateTool out of town. It seems to be only good for 3 things: checking WinTrust, telling you can't make a change that should be legal, and making your computer never boot again. http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/in...hp/t496774.html

Each time you burn a key, your story needs to get better and better to get another activation code which harms the customer. Has Microsoft specifically said that the store CD and the key from the side of the case is an acceptable equivalent to the original license? I've heard that it's not, which would make the multi manufacturer CD the only way that is both legal and practical for a shop to install Windows on Royalty systems. Anyone who thinks that asking the customer for Restore CD's is practical is smokin stuff that only Bill G can afford.

>So allot of trail and error to get that range. You're insane, Goldmember! What a devilishly clever divide and conquer technique that makes the range clear in a fairly short time. >So the wintrust... this will actually make it so the files are protected by WFP These files are all trusted on one system or another so they definitely can be protected by WFP. Somehow you need to twiddle the API to get the new ones trusted before copying them like a service pack or hotfix does. To prevent crashes from damaged media, bad, hacked, or mismatched sets, you could check if the files are trusted before copying. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/222193/

>Thanks for telling me about the KeyUpdateTool severach. SIGVERIF.EXE does the same thing but is slower and harder to use. >Could we establish a place where we can get everything together. Product-Keys Most forums have had to ban product key distribution. This includes illegal keys that don't even work like F C K G W, OEM SLP keys that are all the same, and anything else that looks like a key. We want Bezalel's repository to stay public. >Why are there so many comma separated, same entries in the SLP Strings list? I mean, why is it 'Gateway,Gateway,Gateway...etc' I couldn't get Dell or Gateway to preactivate with a DMI string. Many other companies with less SLP dups preactivate just fine with a DMI string. I figured it was because the companies with many SLP strings have very specific areas the strings must occur that I can't hit. >But I think it means that is how many times that string is found in different areas of the bios. >putting it in the bios 4 times doesn't pass activation All strings can't be part of the requirements. Out of the shown SLP strings, my Dell has Dell System twice and Dell Computer 7 times. Dell System occurs one too few times and Dell Inc never occurs. Requiring all strings would fail both 87870F5A and 63875D1F. It pre-activates on either just fine. >Test 1: "FUJITSU SIEMENS" - FAILED >Test 7: "FUJITSU FUJITSU SIEMENS SIEMENS" - Genuine >Test 9: "FUJITSUSIEMENS fujitsu siemens" - Genuine I don't see how Test 1 could fail and Tests 7 & 9 could succeed. Ignoring the superflous data which confuses the humans but not the computer, in all these cases a specified string occurs exactly once. Test 9 has a less desirable case though case doesn't seem to matter. >FUJITSU SIEMENS x 2 Works According to Tests 7 & 9, FUJITSU SIEMENS x 1 Works too. Don't let your eyes fool you into thinking that the extra text has meaning. >then edit them into the areas You need to author your own BIOS or contract with a company that does to be able to control the position where a string shows up, something big companies can do that you can't. Unless you have that control, chances are that any address you would want to pick has something in it you can't overwrite. >but who knows where area "E004" or simular are located? Is this a hexadecimal address, and if so, is the address located from an entire bios dump, or the value from just the dmi area of the bios Google "NtLockRegistryKey Inside the WPA-CALL" You'll need to read it out of the Google cache unless you can find the current AntiWPA site.

First, if he's surfin pr4n then he's probaby got crazy spyware sucking bandwidth. Get that cleaned up. Second, learn how to run his downloading software and control the speed. The good dl clients all have speed controls on them. When you want to surf Yahoo pr4n, slow his pr4n down.

Retail & Corp have their own sets of OEMBIOS files so modifying either with the files from a OEM CD will not do anything useful and may render the install non working.

Many of the old consumer Dells <1000Mhz won't preactivate. Most of the business models will. Some will preactivate only after a BIOS upgrade and a reinstall is not necesssary. Simply upgrade and boot. I have a Dimension 4100 that never preactivates but almost the exact same model as an XPS will.