Joe727 said:Just curious. How can it not be on the CD? How else would the Operating
System verify that the number entered is the correct one?
Joe
arthur427 said:Recently purchased XP Pro. It is an OEM product that I bought along
with a new motherboard. My problem is that I sent the Certificate of
Authentication along with the CD key to the trash before I could
install it. Is there any way to retrieve the key from the disk or am I
stuck with an expensive ornamant.
Joe;
That link does not apply since this is OEM.
The only source for a replacement with OEM is the seller.
Microsoft can not help with OEM.
--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
Joe727 said:Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 326246 explains the procedure:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];326246
Joe
<snip>Mike Brannigan said:Joe,
We do not check during install to see if the key entered is the "correct"
one.
We can check that the number entered is a "valid" key for the type of
product you are installing (e.g an OEM key for an OEM CD and not a Retail
key).
The key is then used as a component of the hash generated by the activation
wizard for use in product activation
So the key itself des not have to be on the CD for it to be used by the OS.
Joe727 said:Hi - I beg to differ - this is copied and pasted directly from MSKB 326246:
Replacement of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Software Media
To replace OEM software media, you must contact the OEM where you acquired
the hardware and software. If that OEM is no longer in business, you can
contact Microsoft Sales Information at (800) 426-9400 for more information
about alternatives for acquiring genuine software. To determine whether your
software is eligible for replacement, you can call the OEM System Builder
hotline at (800) 325-1233 Monday - Friday, 5:30 AM - 5:00 P.M. Pacific time
zone. To determine whether your software was installed on your computer when
you purchased it, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=fh;en-us;oemdirectory
Replacement of CD or Product Keys
To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the
appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web
site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS
Joe
Joe;
That link does not apply since this is OEM.
The only source for a replacement with OEM is the seller.
Microsoft can not help with OEM.
--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
Joe727 said:Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 326246 explains the procedure:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];326246
Joe
Jupiter Jones said:I stand corrected.
However the article refers OEM users to contact "...the OEM where you
acquired the hardware and software."
It also says "...contact Microsoft Sales...", that means Microsoft
will sell it to you...full price.
You can probably buy retail slightly cheaper locally.
Ultimately Microsoft can do nothing for you.
--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
Joe727 said:Hi - I beg to differ - this is copied and pasted directly from MSKB 326246:
Replacement of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Software Media
To replace OEM software media, you must contact the OEM where you acquired
the hardware and software. If that OEM is no longer in business, you can
contact Microsoft Sales Information at (800) 426-9400 for more information
about alternatives for acquiring genuine software. To determine whether your
software is eligible for replacement, you can call the OEM System Builder
hotline at (800) 325-1233 Monday - Friday, 5:30 AM - 5:00 P.M. Pacific time
zone. To determine whether your software was installed on your computer when
you purchased it, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?id=fh;en-us;oemdirectory
Replacement of CD or Product Keys
To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the
appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web
site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS
Joe
Joe;
That link does not apply since this is OEM.
The only source for a replacement with OEM is the seller.
Microsoft can not help with OEM.
--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 326246 explains the procedure:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];326246
Joe
Star Fleet Admiral Q said:That's what you are missing, the part you don't understand. The 25-digit
product key is used in an algorithm to create a hash total, then this total
is compared to the allowable hash total for the product you are installing,
and if valid, allows the installation to continue. All windows activation
does is verifies whether your specific key has been used or not, and if so,
compares the hardware hash to the hash on file for differences. If the
differences are too great, it denies activation and you are required to call
MS for phone activation. Also, if the key has not been activated, the a
hash total is created and stored based on your hardware configuration.
Joe727 said:theMike Brannigan said:Just curious. How can it not be on the CD? How else would the Operating
System verify that the number entered is the correct one?
Joe
Joe,
We do not check during install to see if the key entered is the "correct"
one.
We can check that the number entered is a "valid" key for the type of
product you are installing (e.g an OEM key for an OEM CD and not a Retail
key).
The key is then used as a component of the hash generated by the activation
wizard for use in product activation
So the key itself des not have to be on the CD for it to be used by
OS.<snip>
Hi Mike thanks for responding. I don't have the technical background to
understand how it works.
I do know that long before you get to the activation point in the process,
you have to enter the product key. Anyone installing or reinstalling XP at
this point in time, should not even be connected to the internet, before
they installed a virus scanning program or a firewall like Zone Alarm which
will block the RPC Blaster worm.
So, somehow the Product Key is confirmed as being genuine and attached to
the CD from which the Operating System is loaded. It's checked before you
connect to the internet. Otherwise, you could enter any combination of 25
letters and numerals, and the OS would load and start up.
Joe
Jupiter said:Joe;
The key is checked...for some type of hash code.
The actual Product Key is nowhere to be found on the CD.
To put another way a Product Key from any retail Windows XP Home full
version will work with any retail Windows XP Home full CD, same for
retail Windows XP Pro upgrade etc.
OEM are different and one OEM key will most likely not work with a CD
from another OEM regardless the type of each.