Ok ... So there is no key slipped ... that key must be in there with a specific purpose

Thanks all you Sherlock Holmes

and to illuminate more on what prathapml said... http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechn...ion130121120120

Thanks for finding that article Alanoll.

So now I see that the keys on that page are different from the ones found in the unattend.txt we were talking about.... Probably this is a different set of keys for the same purpose as mentioned there, or these new keys replace the ones in that technet article. Would sure help if MS sent Paul Thurrott a reply sooner with regard to this.... Anybody else fetched further info?

Well, I took a retail XP Home CD and slipstreamed SP2 into it and created an unattended install CD with the product key from the unattend.txt file SP2 left behind. It installed flawlessly, but it says I have 30 days before WPA kicks in. So, it is a valid key for installations. I haven't tested it to see if it will activate. Anyone try that yet? The first 5 digits are: RH6M6

Well, I took a retail XP Home CD and slipstreamed SP2 into it and created an unattended install CD with the product key from the unattend.txt file SP2 left behind. It installed flawlessly, but it says I have 30 days before WPA kicks in. So, it is a valid key for installations. I haven't tested it to see if it will activate. Anyone try that yet? The first 5 digits are: RH6M6

Can you please activate it and let us know? If it doesn't activate, then that will explain why the key is in that file in the first place... Anywayz, I'm still waiting for a reply from Paul Thurrott...

I tried RH6M6 does not activate.

The same for the one that shows up on Pro

The keys won't activate, but they'll let you use Windows Update....................wierd

The keys won't activate, but they'll let you use Windows Update....................wierd

That's not weird. It's always been like that. WU doesn't check whether your Windows would activate before letting you update.

That's not weird. It's always been like that. WU doesn't check whether your Windows would activate before letting you update.

You misunderstood me , I meant, WinUpdate can check to see if your running a valid CDKey, if it's not and it's been blacklisted, WinUpdate won't let you update, if it's NOT blacklisted, then you CAN update

but the only keys taht I'm aware of being blacklisted are a few VLK keys, not normal Pro keys.

It looks like the VLK and other editions follow diametrically opposite qualifications to use windows update.

If using a VLK, your key needs to be in the "approved" list to use WU.

If using a retail/OEM pack, your key shouldn't be in the "black-listed" range, for WU to work.

It looks like the VLK and other editions follow diametrically opposite qualifications to use windows update.

If using a VLK, your key needs to be in the "approved" list to use WU.

If using a retail/OEM pack, your key shouldn't be in the "black-listed" range, for WU to work.

I don't believe that's quite right. 90% of all pirated copies of XP uses keygen generated volume license keys and no one of those users gets blocked from Windows Update.

If using a VLK, your key needs to be in the "approved" list to use WU.

It needs to not be in there "blacklisted" list.

Its easier to block known leaked keys than compare bewteen millions of legals.

Speaking of keys and how M$ likes to threaten sites that post them. Did you know that by law they cant copywrite numbers in effect meaning that its not a crime to post keys as there just numbers. Now, if you posted it explaining its purpose they could be some issues legally but numbers are just that and they cant copywrite a set of numbers and claim them as there property. They can seek there billion dollar bulldogs on your ISP and threaten them untill they pull the plug however.

Just something to chew on.

So you can publish "numbers"... who wants the very deep pockets of MS after your a** in court?

It's like accounting... pay an account enough money and then ask him, What is 2 plus 2? He will tell you, "Whatever you want it to be."

  So you can publish "numbers"... who wants the very deep pockets of MS after your a** in court?

Well being im broke i wouldnt, just passing the info.

By law, they cant do anything unless you specified its purpose and im not even sure on that part, but we know how there money is above the laws in most cases, especially when it involves Billy Bob Buckwheat posting keys online. Your head will be on Gates trophy wall.

That big bankroll is how they rip off all the code from small folks anytime they want to use it for there own gain and then just buy them out if when the guy sues.

That doesn't sound like a company whose products you'd like to use hmm?