Re: possible pirated software

From: Stan (sorry_at_noname.com)
Date: 03/19/04 

Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2004 06:49:17 -0500

Thanks for the reply Vanguard.

I can assure you I am refurring to the productKEY # not the productID #.
The value on my comp. is not the value I typed in to install the OS. 

-- 
Stan
"If it ain't broke don't fix it"
"*Vanguard*" <no-email@post-reply-in-newsgroup.invalid> wrote in message
news:Ac6dnbOGzcRos8fdRVn-gQ@comcast.com...
> "Stan" said in news:eLqeKjODEHA.2800@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl:
> > *Vanguard*,
> >
> > I'm not sure I totally understand your reply here to Tim, but your
> > reply seems to skirt on a question I have.
> >
> > I have a 6yr. old Gateway that came with Win.98se preloaded, a cd
> > marked OEM, and a paper manual with COA and product key #.
> >
> > At one time the HDD went bad, Gateway sent a new one I installed it
> > and installed Win98 using the original cd and the product key from
> > the front of the paper manual.
> >
> > Sometime after that I noticed in the registry that the product key
> > value is not the same # as I typed in from the COA on the paper
> > manual.
> >
>
> OEM is the same whether the system jobber pre-installed it for you or
> you installed it (because you built the computer yourself and purchased
> an OEM copy of Windows, for example).  The OEM version is tied to THAT
> computer but Microsoft really hasn't clarified what a computer is,
> especially regarding replacement of components.  The idea is that the
> OEM copy stays with that computer and cannot be uninstalled and
> transferred anywhere else.  The retail version you can uninstall and put
> on a different computer.
>
> You are confusing the product key with the product code.  The product
> key is what you enter when you install the product.  The product code is
> generated from the product key but also includes info regarding what
> product was installed so the techs can identify the product from the
> product code.  The product key and generated product code will be
> different.
>
> You can use AIDA32 or Belarc Advisor (both free) to see the product key
> and product code for Windows and several other products.
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: No OS disk with purch refurb laptop
    ... to install with, and then register/validate with this product key. ... supply the product key of my own license during ... then you will need an OEM Windows distribution to install from. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: (Re-)Installing WinXP on an OEM System - Re: A Techcie Question
    ... there are various different Product Keys in use for WinXP. ... > sure to use the right Product Key, that matches the type of WinXP... ... OEM & Student Versions. ... > Has he not got an actual WinXP Install CD supplied with the Machine? ...
    (uk.people.silversurfers)
  • Re: Product Key cannot be validated!!!!
    ... Yes, a retail disk can be used to install an OEM installation, but it ... have been previously activated unless you install as you are attempting. ... You cannot use an OEM product key if your Vista DVD is a retail version. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup)
  • Re: upgrading hardware and activating windows xp
    ... It would have had to have been, for an OEM Product Key to work. ... For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. ... An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. ... If you don't want to use the OS that came with the laptop, then you'd need to purchase another license. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Windows XP Repair Installation
    ... you installed the SP successfully the first time - reinstallation should be ... I currently have SP 2 installed, and the original install CD I ... it won't take either the product key on the label on the ... PC or the OEM key used originally. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
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