I actually tried that on PC number 2 before re-installing with the XP+SP1a disk. It didn't recognise the Volume Key as a valid product key.
When I installed the XP + SP1a disk from scratch it recognised it fine.
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OEM CD Hell
Hello folks,
I'm working for a company and had to install XP on two PCs. I found a CD with XP+SP2 on it and what I thought was a Volume Key.
Installed on PC1 and it installed fine. Not a bother.
Installed on PC2 and it told me I had exceeded the maximum number of installations for the key I provided. Dang blast and boloney.
So the CD I had *wasn't* a volume key one.
I found an MSDN CD with XP+SP1a on it. And I made DAMN sure that this time I was most definitely using our company's volume key. Which was grand for PC number 2 as it needed to be reinstalled anyway.
My problem is with PC number 1. It has got XP on it now, the required software and it has been personalised. I REALLY don't want to have to go through that again.
But we do fiddle about with our PCs. We take components out, put new components in. So I dread the day when I'll try this and it'll tell me NAH, you've exceeded your maximum.... you know the drill.
So without having to reinstall the whole shaggin' OS, how do I move PC1 from OEM Hell to Volume Key Heaven?
Please note: THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR A VOLUME KEY. I HAVE ONE. It's LEGAL.
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Answers
Perhaps this free program would do it?
http://www.majorgeeks.com/
Windows XP Product Key Modifier
This application automates the task of changing your Windows XP product key.
Simply enter your new valid XP product key into the field provided, and apply pressure to the 'Change Key' button. The operation performs the following tasks:
- Modifies a certain registry value to trick Windows into thinking it has not been activated.
- Makes backups of all your OS's existing activation script files.
- Copies modified versions of these activation scripts to the appropriate locations.
- Executes the Windows Activation Wizard (system32oobemsoobe.exe /a).
- Waits for the Wizard to complete (The wizard will run automatically and completely because of the modified scripts.)
- Rolls back the original script files to their original locations.
- Removes temporary directories and scripts created during the process.
This entire operation should take only a few seconds on a moderately quick machine. Once the operation is complete, your copy of Windows XP has been activated using your new key.
Note:
- This program does NOT provide XP keys. MajorGeeks never has, and never will, support piracy.
- This program DOES NOT ACTIVATE WINDOWS! Do not e-mail asking me why your copy of Windows needs to be activated still. This program is for CHANGING THE PRODUCT KEY!
- If you use an invalid product key, the program will NOT know the difference. It will report success even though your key has not been changed!
- You must reboot Windows for this to take effect.
werner all you have to do is run a repair install with a cd that accepts volume keys if you dont have one of those handy you can take the original OEM disc and make one really fast. just load the 386 folder onto a drive and find the setupp.ini file look in there with notepad and find the PID number change the last 3 digits from OEM to 270 and then burn that 386 folder to a disc. Do a repair install and insert your volume key and it will go through and there is no reinstall needed.
Well, I've been waiting around for venom96737 to come back to answer your last question, but I'll go ahead and give my opinion: I think that solution would work also, for I have seen some questions where it was noted that what differentiates an OEM CD from other types is the PID number in the setupp.ini file, and a repair install will correct a number of different types of problems in XP without losing installed programs and data, etc.
Yes it would work and the quickest way to find out if your new install has truely changed over is to press the window key and the pause key and check under the registered part. after the first five numbers and the dash If it says OEM then you still have an OEM or if you check on magical jelly bean and check your sytem key if it is not your volume liscence key then it didnt take.
Thanks folks. I increased the points from 50 to 30. 40 points + Accepted Answer to LeeTutor as I used his suggestion, and the instructions were straightforward enough for a moron like me to follow. 20 points for simpswr as, as far as I can tell, LeeTutor's solution was an automated version of his initial suggestion. And 20 points for venom96737 as (s)he suggested an alternative solution that would also have worked.
Thanks all
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by: simpswrPosted on 2006-08-19 at 13:35:45ID: 17349058
See if this helps:
http://www.jsiinc.com/subn