Product CD key

  • Thread starter Thread starter Joe727
  • Start date Start date
Joe727 said:
I am not talking about activation as I mentioned. In fact, I wasn't
the one who brought the issue of activation up.

There is no activation required in 9x, but a 25 alpha-numeric Product
Key is. 9x will not complete the installation until the Product Key
is entered and verified. I've mis-typed the Product Key and the OS
would not load.

The two are separate issues.

Joe
Click to expand...

The CD Key is not hard coded to each individual Windows CD's regardless of
whether it is 95/98/Me/2000/XP. There are a range of CD keys that setup will
accept determined by the algorithm used by each Windows version. When you
miss-typed the key it no longer fit the range accepted. It is not because
the key is hard coded to each individual CD.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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Michael Stevens said:
The CD Key is not hard coded to each individual Windows CD's regardless of
whether it is 95/98/Me/2000/XP. There are a range of CD keys that setup will
accept determined by the algorithm used by each Windows version. When you
miss-typed the key it no longer fit the range accepted. It is not because
the key is hard coded to each individual CD.
Click to expand...
<snip>

IC - The process is a bit clearer now. Like I mentioned, I was just
curious. The major thing an end user like me needs to do is not lose the
Product Key.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain how it works.

Joe
 
Joe727 said:
I understand contact is not needed with MS. When I built what I call my
Media PC and installed XP Pro SP1 (Retail), the OS was loaded and a couple
of programs installed, before I even plugged the RJ45 jack into the Ethernet
Card.

So, as I mentioned below, somehow the key is verified (checked, as you put
it). There has to be verification, otherwise what would be the purpose?
The Product Key would be as effective as the log-in password on Windows 98.

Thanks again. I really do appreciate the time you've spent on this. It's a
bit confusing, but then again, that's part of what makes the Product Key an
effective anti-piracy tool.
Click to expand...

The Product Activation Key you enter is initially checked to see if it is
the right TYPE of key for the media you are using.
This is just a simple mathematical check against the values you enter as a
the Product Key, just like a CRC check on any other data. (I cannot go into
more detail as to the precise nature of this check). They are all computed
together and if the values is OK then the key you enter is one of the
millions of valid product activation keys we issue for each and every copy
of Windows XP of that TYPE (OEM or Retail Or Volume Licenses)

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups
 
It's

The Product Activation Key you enter is initially checked to see if it is
the right TYPE of key for the media you are using.
This is just a simple mathematical check against the values you enter as a
the Product Key, just like a CRC check on any other data. (I cannot go into
more detail as to the precise nature of this check). They are all computed
together and if the values is OK then the key you enter is one of the
millions of valid product activation keys we issue for each and every copy
of Windows XP of that TYPE (OEM or Retail Or Volume Licenses)
Click to expand...
<snip>

Thanks once again. I didn't expect you to go into detail :)

However, you did clarify how it works, which quite frankly, had me confused.
As I mentioned in another post the best thing for an end user is not to lose
the Product Key which is why I keep backups of my backups.

Joe
 
Joe727 said:
<snip>

IC - The process is a bit clearer now. Like I mentioned, I was just
curious. The major thing an end user like me needs to do is not lose the
Product Key.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain how it works.

Joe
Click to expand...

You are welcome, glad we could straighten it out for you.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Your stuck..
You could use a crack version of the product key but that your problem....

----- arthur427 wrote: ----


Recently purchased XP Pro. It is an OEM product that I bought alon
with a new motherboard. My problem is that I sent the Certificate o
Authentication along with the CD key to the trash before I coul
install it. Is there any way to retrieve the key from the disk or am
stuck with an expensive ornamant

Thanks for any hel


arthur42
 
Microsoft will give you a new CD Key, you will have to call a toll free number. I lost mine and they emailed me a new one!!
 
ya right MS is just handing out new key codes to anyone that calls them and
cries they lost theirs.
 
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