Windows XP activation problem using Dell OEM XP2 and sysprep

Question

I'm using a Dell Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 CD to install on several Dell systems and then once the OS is installed in a system or imaged from a master I use sysprep to change the XP Key to the one on the COA attached to the system.  For example, I used the Dell XP SP2 CD most recently to put an OS on a laptop that the harddrive was replaced on and it did not ask me for an XP Product key during installation.  After the installation it started up fine and did not ask for a product key and     Control Panel --> System showed 'OEM' in the 'Registered to:' field Key ID.   I tried to run SYSPREP with the key located on the COA using 'Mini Setup' and not to generate SIDs, but when I restarted it told me I had 30 days left to activate.  I had to call Microsoft and go through the 40 digit activation code deal.  Is there any reason why the Dell Windows XP SP2 CD does not ask for a CD key when installing on a system and why is it that when I use sysprep to enter my valid key that is affixed to the computer it still tells me that I need to activate, which wouldn't be a problem, but the online activation says the key is wrong and I still have to call to activate.

CameronO · Answer

I am installing them seperately at the system using the Dell CD, not through a network installation.

CameronO · Answer

Why would I need to buy additional licenses?  Each PC I'm installing to has it's own COA attached to it with a valid Windows XP Professional Product Key/License.

CameronO · Answer

Well it's just on machines that need to be reset for another user or after hardware problems.  Like I said before, this laptop had the hard drive replaced and needed to be restored so I used the Dell supplied OS installation CD, but it never asked me for a key.  So I wanted to be sure the valid key attached to the laptop was used by inserting that key using sysprep caused me to get a '30 days for activation' message.

Pterminiator · Answer

How many systems are you installing this on? And are these machines on the same network? Message Edited by Pterminiator on 11-16-2005 09:23 AM

Pterminiator · Answer

On installation the COA is generated during that process, the activation portion must be done online to verify the Operating system and it's identifiers as correct and unique to that installation. If you are trying to implement a network type of installation, you must purchase additional licenses for those other systems to have an unattended network installation of XP from one source.

Pterminiator · Answer

The next question, are you installing each machine separately, or is it a network installation?

sros · Answer

Have you tried using the -activated switch to your sysprep command?

CameronO · Answer

Yes I used the little GUI sysprep utility and after the first time when this happened I decided to use the option to preserve the activation state and the result was the same.

Denny Denham · Answer

CameronO, You wrote, 'so I used the Dell supplied OS installation CD, but it never asked me for a key. So I wanted to be sure the valid key attached to the laptop was used by inserting that key using sysprep.' Dell OEM copies of Windows XP are preactivated, which is why you were not prompted to insert a Product ID. If you are using the Dell supplied OS CD there is no reason to use Sysprep on the installation. After the OS is installed you can verifiy that it is activated by going to Start|Run, entering oobe/msoobe /a and clicking OK. Additionally, all Dell XP OEMs of the same edition (Home or Professional) are interchangeable. You can use one XP Home CD to reinstall the operating system on any computer which came with XP Home installed, and the same for XP Pro. Message Edited by Denny Denham on 11-18-2005 09:52 AM

Denny Denham · Answer

CameronO, That's correct.

CameronO · Answer

Okay, so the copies are pre-activated and there is no need to insert a seperate key as long as the COA is affixed to the PC ??

Windows General

Windows XP activation problem using Dell OEM XP2 and sysprep

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