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Thread ID: 119418	2011-07-22 04:17:00	Window product keys	Nomad (952)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1218323	2011-07-22 09:33:00	You can use use a XP Home OEM product key when installing XP using a XP Home Retail disc. Same with XP Pro and I have done the same with Win 7 Pro. (Earlier this week I used a Win 7 Pro 32bit OEM key on a Win 7 Pro Retail 64bit install disc - no, I didnt activate it, just wanted to see if it worked for when I do my upgrade from 32bit to 64bit). I'm guessing your key Nomad was an Academic or Volume Licence version which would require a different disc. That will have been more by good luck than management that it worked :) In the Setupp.ini file on the CD is a code, that code determines the type of product key can be used, For Windows XP SP3 Retail: 76487335 Volume License: 76487270 OEM: 76487OEM Same with windows 7, in the ei.cfg is the version it will accept. you can make the DVD multi purpose , that way you select the version you want to install and can use what ever key you like (OEM, Retail volume etc) but it will have to be for the version the key is for, in other words a Home Key wont activate a Pro install. An example of the ei.cfg file is: [EditionID] Ultimate [Channel] Retail [VL] 0 That ones for Ultimate / retail version. Edited: if you have a ISO, then run This here (lifehacker.com) through the ISO, instant all edition ISO - then burn to DVD - you still need a legit key, just it will take any version :D	wainuitech (129)
1218324	2011-07-22 09:47:00	Edited: if you have a ISO, then run This here (lifehacker.com) through the ISO, instant all edition ISO - then burn to DVD - you still need a legit key, just it will take any version :D You don't have one for XP do you, does it need to be a ISO, I have a CD.	Nomad (952)
1218325	2011-07-22 10:04:00	In XP any changes have to be made in notepad (or another editor) in the Setupp.ini, and of course you can do that on a CD. For example, just checked and the PID for XP home SP3 ( from Technet) is Pid=76477000 If you look at This site (wiki.lunarsoft.net) its right. Never really had much success changing the PIDS on XP if needed, hence my collection of different versions of XP install CD's ranging from XP (original, SP1,SP2 and Sp3 - home and professional versions -- no good without COA's of course, but handy when people dont have their install CD's.	wainuitech (129)
1218326	2011-07-22 10:32:00	MSDNAA keys are most likely to be for XP Pro rather than XP Home.	somebody (208)
1218327	2011-07-22 10:44:00	If MSDNAA is anything like Technet , or MSDN then its all versions (maybe with the exception of Volume) or Not. Example in Screen shot	wainuitech (129)
1218328	2011-07-22 11:18:00	That will have been more by good luck than management that it worked :) Not really. You can use an XP OEM key on a retail version providing it is the same version of Windows. ie: A WIn XP Pro OEM key on Win XP Pro Retail disc. You are right, you cant use an XP Home key on an XP Pro install though. (or the other way around). And I also dont think you can use a Retail key on an OEM install disc. Although Microsoft have a little Tech Tool available for changing PID's before activation which is very handy. For Win 7, your key will work on a 32bit or 64bit install disc (same version). You might find This Site (www.askvg.com) usefull for iso's. Cheers	Iantech (16386)
1218329	2011-07-22 12:02:00	You can use an XP OEM key on a retail version providing it is the same version of Windows . ie: A WIn XP Pro OEM key on Win XP Pro Retail discEver since XP first came out I have never had that work - I'll try it again tomorrow and let you know the result . Although Microsoft have a little Tech Tool available for changing PID's before activation which is very handy . Had that for ages - Also known to fail as well, completely screw systems -- sysprep is far more reliable . Edited: just did a quick look -- even Microsoft's own question /answer site say you cant do it First answer ( . microsoft . com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_xp-windows_install/oem-key-with-a-retail-install-disk/06e27534-fe56-46f8-9f2e-7e256beda0ac" target="_blank">answers . microsoft . com) and last answer - cant use a OEM key on retail the problem occurred because you used a retail XP installation disc and the Product Key on the laptop's sticker is for an OEM version .	wainuitech (129)
1218330	2011-07-22 13:07:00	Ok, done it as recent as Wednesday, and been doing it for years, but I'm not here to argue or discredit anyone. Never had the MS PID change programme fail, but havent used it alot, dont generally need to. Each to their own and what ever way works successfully I guess. Cheers	Iantech (16386)
1218331	2011-07-23 01:34:00	Thanks for a link to a wiki which gave me this MS page, so I will try it out .. windows.microsoft.com But diff, Re: Win7 and Vista it says you need to do a custom installation then it gives some (other) info. Are those instructions only to change the product key in the same distribution but if you have a diff distribution what is a "custom installation" is that boot the CD and hit custom installation :confused: Re: sysprep that someone mentioned. If one has lost the CD or it is scratched but has the product key so is it possible to sysprep and then pop the image onto a v diff computer :confused: because it strips the hardware identifiers so it wont' crash.	Nomad (952)
1218332	2011-07-23 02:10:00	And there you go, it's activated again. That's a bit soft. Wonder why they don't be like what Adobe or game software where the moment you are connected to the Internet with that software it will lock you out.	Nomad (952)
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