Product Key question

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letterman

I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer using
the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different username than the
laptop, but used the same Product Code, since I intend to delete Win2k
on that laptop (too slow). On the desktop, Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing and it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks
 
I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer using
the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different username than the
laptop, but used the same Product Code, since I intend to delete Win2k
on that laptop (too slow). On the desktop, Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing and it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks
Click to expand...

AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft and no
on-line validation is required.

I don't understand this user business. When you do a clean installation of
Windows then you are prompted for a product key a long time before you are
prompted for a user name, so how can the user name affect the product key
entry?
 
The username really has nothing to do with the product key. The only thing I
can think of is that you are confusing the "user name" with the computer
name, but even so the computer name has no bearing on the product key.

Not sure what IS happening in your case.

hth
DDS
 
The username really has nothing to do with the product key. The only thing I
can think of is that you are confusing the "user name" with the computer
name, but even so the computer name has no bearing on the product key.
Click to expand...

Yes, Ithink it's computer name, and (if desired), password.
This screen is immediately before the product key on a fresh install.
Not sure what IS happening in your case.
Click to expand...
Neither am I......
I thought that maybe my 3 letter computer name was too short, but I
tried a longer one. Yet, using the same name from the laptop, and it
installed.... Weird !!!!
 
AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft and no
on-line validation is required.
Click to expand...

Lets get this straight. The Windows2000 (as well as earlier
versions), product keys are NOT registered by Microsoft, but Windows
XP and Vista product keys ARE registered by Microsoft. Am I correct?
I dont use XP or Vista, but I heard they needed to be on-line
validated. This brings up a big question. What if someone wants to
install XP or Vista on a computer that WILL NEVER BE CONNECTED TO THE
INTERNET?

Lets say that Joe Bloe wants a computer just for keeping his financial
records and storing his camera photos, and does not want to risk this
information online. Is he forced to connect to the internet (at least
once) in order to use the operating system?
 
Lets get this straight. The Windows2000 (as well as earlier
versions), product keys are NOT registered by Microsoft, but Windows
XP and Vista product keys ARE registered by Microsoft. Am I correct?
I dont use XP or Vista, but I heard they needed to be on-line
validated. This brings up a big question. What if someone wants to
install XP or Vista on a computer that WILL NEVER BE CONNECTED TO THE
INTERNET?

Lets say that Joe Bloe wants a computer just for keeping his financial
records and storing his camera photos, and does not want to risk this
information online. Is he forced to connect to the internet (at least
once) in order to use the operating system?
Click to expand...

Joe Bloe will be told that his installation will work for 30 days. Within
this period he has to register it with Microsoft, either via the Internet or
by phone. If he does not then it will become inoperative when the time is
up.
 
Pegasus said:
AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft and
no on-line validation is required.
Click to expand...

OTOH there is this from wikipedia:

"...Specifically, WGA covers Windows XP and Windows Vista. It does not cover
Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 or the Windows 9x family. However, certain
downloads and non-critical updates from the Download Center for Windows 2000
require validation..."

Maybe someone can parse this. I can't.
 
John said:
Roger said:
Pegasus said:
I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer
using the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different
username than the laptop, but used the same Product Code, since I
intend to delete Win2k on that laptop (too slow). On the desktop,
Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing and it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks


AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft and
no on-line validation is required.
Click to expand...


[snip]

Although WGA came along after Win 2000. I think at some point
Microsoft decided to retroactively apply it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130#appliesto
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905226
Click to expand...

That's not the same thing as Product Activation.

John
Click to expand...

True, the OS won't flatline on you, but as I recall from a conversation with
the fellow who installed W2K Pro for me several months ago, he couldn't
download SP-4 from WU without a valid CoA.
 
Roger said:
John said:
Roger Fink wrote:

Pegasus (MVP) wrote:




I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer
using the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different
username than the laptop, but used the same Product Code, since I
intend to delete Win2k on that laptop (too slow). On the desktop,
Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing and it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks


AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft and
no on-line validation is required.


[snip]

Although WGA came along after Win 2000. I think at some point
Microsoft decided to retroactively apply it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130#appliesto
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905226
Click to expand...

That's not the same thing as Product Activation.

John
Click to expand...


True, the OS won't flatline on you, but as I recall from a conversation with
the fellow who installed W2K Pro for me several months ago, he couldn't
download SP-4 from WU without a valid CoA.
Click to expand...

That's not true.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f1-749f-49f4-8010-297bd6ca33a0&DisplayLang=en

John
 
John said:
Roger said:
John said:
Roger Fink wrote:


Pegasus (MVP) wrote:




I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to
see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer
using the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different
username than the laptop, but used the same Product Code, since I
intend to delete Win2k on that laptop (too slow). On the
desktop,
Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention
that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that
product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing and
it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it
accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required
specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks


AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft
and
no on-line validation is required.


[snip]

Although WGA came along after Win 2000. I think at some point
Microsoft decided to retroactively apply it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130#appliesto
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905226

That's not the same thing as Product Activation.

John
Click to expand...


True, the OS won't flatline on you, but as I recall from a
conversation with
the fellow who installed W2K Pro for me several months ago, he
couldn't
download SP-4 from WU without a valid CoA.
Click to expand...

That's not true.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f1-749f-49f4-8010-297bd6ca33a0&DisplayLang=en

John
Click to expand...

OK. Not sure what the problem was then.
 
Roger said:
John said:
Roger Fink wrote:

John John (MVP) wrote:


Roger Fink wrote:



Pegasus (MVP) wrote:






I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to
see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer
using the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different
username than the laptop, but used the same Product Code, since I
intend to delete Win2k on that laptop (too slow). On the
desktop,
Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention
that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that
product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing and
it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it
accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required
specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks


AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft
and
no on-line validation is required.


[snip]

Although WGA came along after Win 2000. I think at some point
Microsoft decided to retroactively apply it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130#appliesto
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905226

That's not the same thing as Product Activation.

John


True, the OS won't flatline on you, but as I recall from a
conversation with
the fellow who installed W2K Pro for me several months ago, he
couldn't
download SP-4 from WU without a valid CoA.
Click to expand...

That's not true.


http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f1-749f-49f4-8010-297bd6ca33a0&DisplayLang=en

John
Click to expand...


OK. Not sure what the problem was then.
Click to expand...

You said he couldn't get it from the Windows Update site, I didn't
bother checking there for it, maybe WGA is needed for Windows Updates,
I'm not sure. I don't think you need it for security updates but I
could be wrong on that.

John
 
John said:
Roger said:
John said:
Roger Fink wrote:


John John (MVP) wrote:


Roger Fink wrote:



Pegasus (MVP) wrote:






I installed Windows 2000 on my laptop, which was just a test to
see
how it would run on a slow laptop. (I have both Win2K and
Win98
installed). I just installed Win2K on a spare desktop computer
using the same install CD. I gave the desktop a different
username than the laptop, but used the same Product Code,
since I
intend to delete Win2k on that laptop (too slow). On the
desktop,
Win2K refused to accept
the (SAME) product key I used on the laptop. I should mention
that
the laptop has NEVER been connected to the internet so that
product
code is not registered to MS. I carefully checked my typing
and
it
was correct. I tried to re-enter it, but it would not work.

I then used the same username I used on the laptop, and it
accepted
the product key. I never knew that Product Keys required
specific
names? What the heck is with this?

Thanks


AFAIR, Windows 2000 product keys are not registered by Microsoft
and
no on-line validation is required.


[snip]

Although WGA came along after Win 2000. I think at some point
Microsoft decided to retroactively apply it:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130#appliesto
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905226

That's not the same thing as Product Activation.

John


True, the OS won't flatline on you, but as I recall from a
conversation with
the fellow who installed W2K Pro for me several months ago, he
couldn't
download SP-4 from WU without a valid CoA.

That's not true.
Click to expand...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...f1-749f-49f4-8010-297bd6ca33a0&DisplayLang=en
John
Click to expand...


OK. Not sure what the problem was then.
Click to expand...

You said he couldn't get it from the Windows Update site, I didn't
bother checking there for it, maybe WGA is needed for Windows Updates,
I'm not sure. I don't think you need it for security updates but I
could be wrong on that.

John
Click to expand...

It really would be the height of confusion (even for Microsoft) if SP4 was a
WGA-restricted download at WU but an unrestricted download at another part
of their site. So I just accept a state of open-ended personal confusion on
the issue.
 
Joe Bloe will be told that his installation will work for 30
days. Within this period he has to register it with Microsoft,
either via the Internet or by phone. If he does not then it will
become inoperative when the time is up.
Click to expand...
Activation is why I've stayed away from XP and Vista for my home-
builds. However one refurb unit I bought from TigerDirect to use as
a basis for a Home Theatre PC came with XP Home[I make sure that
all the peripherals I buy, including PVR stuff will run on W2kP
first] and it only came with a stupid restore DVD....not the
original OEM CD,which I hate....will never do that again...stick to
rolling my own. However, luckily the machine is all
nVidia...therefore If I ever have to do a rebuild on it because of
a crash I can just get the mobo and video drivers straight from
them, as I've already checked the driver d/l site.

Now After 2010...if I am forced to go XP or Vista, if I activate by
phone, will writing everything down in a notebook {i heard that XP
creates a sort of construction number that you must tell the CSR
in order to get another set of numbers for activation} then saving
the information, allow for multiple installs?

If not, then I can see me building one bare-bones unit from TD or
another kit supplier and just installing Vista for surfing and any
HTPC or legacy office app machine will be W2kP but only connected
to the ISP for clock setting with the NIST time servers, then
disconnected and isolated from the outside world because several
anti-virus, anti-spyware vendors have already dropped W98 support.
Though I see in their NG that they're still hanging on but I can
see the same happening to W2kP in 2010 when M$ stops the security
patches but I'll still lurk in these NGs for solutions.

thx for any info...
 
TestTurtle said:
Joe Bloe will be told that his installation will work for 30
days. Within this period he has to register it with Microsoft,
either via the Internet or by phone. If he does not then it will
become inoperative when the time is up.
Click to expand...
Activation is why I've stayed away from XP and Vista for my home-
builds. However one refurb unit I bought from TigerDirect to use as
a basis for a Home Theatre PC came with XP Home[I make sure that
all the peripherals I buy, including PVR stuff will run on W2kP
first] and it only came with a stupid restore DVD....not the
original OEM CD,which I hate....will never do that again...stick to
rolling my own. However, luckily the machine is all
nVidia...therefore If I ever have to do a rebuild on it because of
a crash I can just get the mobo and video drivers straight from
them, as I've already checked the driver d/l site.

Now After 2010...if I am forced to go XP or Vista, if I activate by
phone, will writing everything down in a notebook {i heard that XP
creates a sort of construction number that you must tell the CSR
in order to get another set of numbers for activation} then saving
the information, allow for multiple installs?

If not, then I can see me building one bare-bones unit from TD or
another kit supplier and just installing Vista for surfing and any
HTPC or legacy office app machine will be W2kP but only connected
to the ISP for clock setting with the NIST time servers, then
disconnected and isolated from the outside world because several
anti-virus, anti-spyware vendors have already dropped W98 support.
Though I see in their NG that they're still hanging on but I can
see the same happening to W2kP in 2010 when M$ stops the security
patches but I'll still lurk in these NGs for solutions.

thx for any info...
Click to expand...

Why should you be forced to drop Win2000 after 2010?
Did you have any other specific questions?
 
True, the OS won't flatline on you, but as I recall from a
conversation with the fellow who installed W2K Pro for me
several months ago, he couldn't download SP-4 from WU without a
valid CoA.
Click to expand...

That is why whenever I can, I order the CDs, I even have the XP SP2
and SP3 as some of my local friends have asked for help when they
themselves haven't had an ISP and they'll be useful to have in the
future, just in case.
When I ordered the SP4 cd for myself I accidently clicked twice and
wound up paying for and receiving two W2kP SP4 CDs but that's OK...
Now if M$ would only sell the OS CDs and DVDs as cheaply that in
itself would solve their piratcy problem.....even the poor could
afford 'em.
 
Why should you be forced to drop Win2000 after 2010?
Did you have any other specific questions?
Click to expand...


Well it was tricky enough to find the patches and SR2 for Office '97
Pro but no such leads to an archive for Win98 on M$ site but I found
an URL where they may be found in case I need them and the maintainer
offers them on CD just for the price of CDs and postage from the
Win'98 NG.

__

Why buy new when the old stuff has features not even used yet?
 
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