OEM computers and CD Key embedded in computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jordan
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J

Jordan

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.
 
Jordan said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

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
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.
Click to expand...

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

--
Carey 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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