I thought XP SP3 asks for CD key AFTER you finish install?

[Cytomax]

Hello all i slipstreamed SP3 with a gold version of XP Pro using nlite 1.4.5 FINAL and everything works fine.... my only question is i thought a new feature of SP3 was that it would ask you for the CD key after you finish installing XP not during installation....

http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8...%20Pack%203.pdf

As in Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows Vista, users can now

complete operating system installation without providing a product key

during a full, integrated installation of Windows XP SP3. The operating

system will prompt the user for a product key later as part of Genuine

Advantage.

As with previous service packs, no product key is requested or required

when installing Windows XP SP3 using the update package available

through Microsoft Update.

Note The Windows Product Activation changes in Windows XP SP3 are

not related to the Windows Vista Key Management Service (KMS). This

update affects only new operating system installations from integrated

source media. This update affects the installation media only and is not a

change to how activation works in Windows XP.

Is there something that i didn't do correctly?

Thanks in Advance

Eddie

[PC_LOAD_LETTER]

http://www.msfn.org/board/Windows-XP-SP3-FAQ-t117175.html

[Cytomax]

Thank you for the reply... but i did read the FAQ i just didnt mention what computer i used to do the slipstream

I used a Win XP Pro SP2 computer to slipstream SP3 onto a gold Win XP Pro....

And just for the record everything works fine.. i was just under the assumption that it would ask me for my CD Key AFTER the install not BEFORE... am i assuming something incorrect or did i not do something correctly...

Thanks in Advance

Eddie

[Cytomax]

Is there anyone out there that can confirm whether or not you supposed to plug in the CD key AFTER you install windows XP Pro SP3 or do you still plug in the CD key during the Winxp pro setup...

Thanks in Advance

Eddie

[MAVERICKS CHOICE]

If you're installing from the setup.exe not unattended you would need to insert the key prior.

[roirraWedorehT]

XP SP3 still asks for the key at the same place it used to. The difference is you can just press "Next" with the key being blank, and then press "No" to a prompt that pops up, and then it's successfully bypassed entering a key during installation.

Here's a screenshot:

What I don't know is how to do this unattended.

Edited May 11, 2008 by roirraW "edor" ehT

[redxii]

It will still ask for a key during installation, but you can choose to skip it.

However, if you intend to validate with WGA after installation (such as to use Windows Update), that requires you to activate, and when you try to activate, you will have to enter a valid CD key at that time in order to activate. The key-less installation does not get around activation or validation.

Edited May 11, 2008 by redxii

[zipzap]

To me I cant understand why people are rushing and installing this Service Pack 3. If you want your computer to crash and do all sorts of strange things thats what you are quite likely to get.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/new...edition-delayed

http://www.informationweek.com/news/window...icleID=20760095

There are plenty more articles on the web with simular comments.

If you wait for a while maybe SP 3 A? might come out.?

So if you use it and get problems with NLite rebooting etc dont go blaming NLite.

[roirraWedorehT]

The only issue I've had with SP3 final is that Windows Update doesn't list all the updates it should yet, but that's on Microsoft's end and has nothing to do with the Service Pack.

[Cytomax]

Thanks for the reply guys.. and btw i have had no probs with SP3 on my laptop i think it runs great.... i hope i have the same experience with my desktop..

Eddie

[roirraWedorehT]

You're welcome.

[jpoole]

XP SP3 still asks for the key at the same place it used to. The difference is you can just press "Next" with the key being blank, and then press "No" to a prompt that pops up, and then it's successfully bypassed entering a key during installation.

Here's a screenshot:

What I don't know is how to do this unattended.

i'd be interested in doing learning how to do this part unattended as well.

[roirraWedorehT]

i'd be interested in doing learning how to do this part unattended as well.

I haven't found any way to do so yet.

[gospeed]

Has a solution been found yet? I have the key line blank in my winnt.sif, but it stops and asks. I would like to be able to do this after setup, so I dont have to wait around. Unattended should be just that

[Stoner81]

i'd be interested in doing learning how to do this part unattended as well.

I haven't found any way to do so yet.

The Unattended Setup is part of nLite you just need to input the needed info for it like your licence key etc etc

Hope this helps