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Windows Forum / Windows XP / Setup and Deployment / May 2008OEM computers and CD Key embedded in computer
I have a bunch of Dell and Lenovo notebooks in addition to a few other desktop. All of these come with recovery disks. For each brand and model it does not matter if I use Joe's Dell disks on Sally's Dell computer nor does it matter if I use Bill's Lenovo disks on Jane's Lenovo computer so long as the make and model are the same. They all seem to end up with the right XP Key code after the install completes so this makes me believe that the XP Key Code is embedded in the computer somewhere. The first thing I do with all these compters when I get them is format them and install Windows XP SP2 with a generic OEM disk so that none of the crappy apps from Dell, Lenovo, Etc. get installed. I want to automate this as much as possible so I have a custom SIF file but it would be very helpful if I knew what to do in the [UserData] section for "ProductKey" so that it automatically extracted the keycode from the computer without it having to sit their and wait for me to type it in. >I have a bunch of Dell and Lenovo notebooks in addition to a few > other desktop. All of these come with recovery disks. For each > brand and model it does not matter if I use Joe's Dell disks on > Sally's Dell computer nor does it matter if I use Bill's Lenovo disks > on Jane's Lenovo computer so long as the make and model are the > same. Probably just the make has to be the same. In the case of Dell, the Dell-branded installation CD looks for the Dell-branded BIOS. If it finds it, no activation key is necessary. > They all seem to end up with the right XP Key code after the install > completes so this makes me believe that the XP Key Code is > embedded in the computer somewhere. No key is sought if the installation CD finds the branded BIOS. > The first thing I do with all these compters when I get them is format > them and install Windows XP SP2 with a generic OEM disk so that [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > for "ProductKey" so that it automatically extracted the keycode from > the computer without it having to sit their and wait for me to type it in. Is there a question or a request in there somewhere? :-) *TimDaniels* Preserving OEM Pre-Activation when Re-installing Windows XP http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx The Microsoft Policy Concerning Disk Duplication of Windows XP Installations http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314828&Product=winxp  SignatureCarey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience - Windows Vista Enthusiast --------------------------------------------------------------- I have a bunch of Dell and Lenovo notebooks in addition to a few other desktop. All of these come with recovery disks. For each brand and model it does not matter if I use Joe's Dell disks on Sally's Dell computer nor does it matter if I use Bill's Lenovo disks on Jane's Lenovo computer so long as the make and model are the same. They all seem to end up with the right XP Key code after the install completes so this makes me believe that the XP Key Code is embedded in the computer somewhere. The first thing I do with all these compters when I get them is format them and install Windows XP SP2 with a generic OEM disk so that none of the crappy apps from Dell, Lenovo, Etc. get installed. I want to automate this as much as possible so I have a custom SIF file but it would be very helpful if I knew what to do in the [UserData] section for "ProductKey" so that it automatically extracted the keycode from the computer without it having to sit their and wait for me to type it in. |
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