There are two issues; the first is that the software calculates a value using the product key and numbers it pulls from several devices and the bios. Imaging is like transferring a hard drive from one computer to another so it performs a check to see if the stored value is close to the value calculated on startup. If not, it tells you that you need to validate.
The second issue is that Microsoft no longer allows on line validation of OEM installations. You need to call Microsoft and explain your process to a representative. So long as you satisfy the rep that you have legal installations they should give you an activation code.
We do have a volume license also and I did try it but it didn't work. I figured the computer was looking for the same key as the source machine so I tried a different ghost image on these computers that I used in another lab (and it worked the way it should work in the other lab) but experience the same issue where it doesn't accept the product key listed on the side of the computer once the computer is all setup and I log into Windows....that's why I'm wondering if these particular comptuers are pulling something from in the diagnostic Dell partition.
Well I tried the switches within Sysprep and some of the computers I ghosted worked and some didn't. I ghosted 8 (our of 31) just to see if they would work and out of the 8 only 3 worked. Actually all 8 still requested that I activate the os and it took some doing to get the 3 to work but they finally did activate. Finally on one of the computers I received a message saying "some of my hardware has changed so I need to reactivate Windows" even though these are all GX50 computers so I'm assuming this is what the cause is. Even though the computers are GX50's from the same shipment they do not have identical motherboards.
Anyone have any other ideas? I had to leave the lab because class was starting so I am going back there tomorrow. Thanks for your help.
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
September 2nd, 2005 04:00
There are two issues; the first is that the software calculates a value using the product key and numbers it pulls from several devices and the bios. Imaging is like transferring a hard drive from one computer to another so it performs a check to see if the stored value is close to the value calculated on startup. If not, it tells you that you need to validate.
The second issue is that Microsoft no longer allows on line validation of OEM installations. You need to call Microsoft and explain your process to a representative. So long as you satisfy the rep that you have legal installations they should give you an activation code.
jmwills
2 Intern
•
12K Posts
0
September 2nd, 2005 04:00
sros
120 Posts
0
September 2nd, 2005 21:00
babiking
22 Posts
0
September 6th, 2005 01:00
babiking
22 Posts
0
September 6th, 2005 02:00
We do have a volume license also and I did try it but it didn't work. I figured the computer was looking for the same key as the source machine so I tried a different ghost image on these computers that I used in another lab (and it worked the way it should work in the other lab) but experience the same issue where it doesn't accept the product key listed on the side of the computer once the computer is all setup and I log into Windows....that's why I'm wondering if these particular comptuers are pulling something from in the diagnostic Dell partition.
Thanks for helping!
ba
babiking
22 Posts
0
September 6th, 2005 18:00
Well I tried the switches within Sysprep and some of the computers I ghosted worked and some didn't. I ghosted 8 (our of 31) just to see if they would work and out of the 8 only 3 worked. Actually all 8 still requested that I activate the os and it took some doing to get the 3 to work but they finally did activate. Finally on one of the computers I received a message saying "some of my hardware has changed so I need to reactivate Windows" even though these are all GX50 computers so I'm assuming this is what the cause is. Even though the computers are GX50's from the same shipment they do not have identical motherboards.
Anyone have any other ideas? I had to leave the lab because class was starting so I am going back there tomorrow. Thanks for your help.
ba