| Next: Files Dissappearing After Access |
| Author |
Message |
toad38
Joined: Apr 14, 2003
Posts: 9
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
In the past it has always been so simple. Just fire up a small utility like "Magical Jelly Bean" or something similar and change your WindowsXP key to whatever you want. In WindowsXP SP2, such is not the case. All the software, tweaks and cracks out there are outdated as far as I can tell. I've been reasearching this for the past 2 days with to solid solutions.
I'm actually trying to image about 20 PC's. The problem is that the product key for windows now becomes the same across all 20 machines. NOT GOOD! Microsoft has some example scripts on how to change the key, but they are not very clear.. or maybe I am just not following what it's saying... i'm not a great scripter.
Does anybody have a utility that works with SP2? Or perhaps a script that I can run (one that prompts me for a valid product key). Or perhaps any other method I have not thought of shy of reinstalling windows.
Any leads, helpful hints, or solutions are welcome!
Thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
goretsky
Joined: Dec 07, 2002
Posts: 8733
Location: Southern California
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hello,
Perhaps this article from Microsoft's knowledge base on changing the product ID key for Microsoft Windows XP willl be of use to you?
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alphanumeric
Joined: Jun 02, 2004
Posts: 633
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 9:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I used the above method just the other day to change my product code on my sp2 XP box. Another option may be to use Microsoft's sysprep tool. I believe it is designed to do just what you are attempting. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Morbius
Joined: Sep 05, 2005
Posts: 1712
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| I'm actually trying to image about 20 PC's. The problem is that the product key for windows now becomes the same across all 20 machines. NOT GOOD! |
And that's bad.....WHY?
Does it make the PC's work slower, or crash a lot, BSOD's.....what?
Inquiring minds want to know,,,,,
:cheers: |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alphanumeric
Joined: Jun 02, 2004
Posts: 633
|
| Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 11:50 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Quote: |
| I'm actually trying to image about 20 PC's. The problem is that the product key for windows now becomes the same across all 20 machines. NOT GOOD! |
And that's bad.....WHY?
Does it make the PC's work slower, or crash a lot, BSOD's.....what?
Inquiring minds want to know,,,,,
:cheers:
|
My guess is he is not using a volume license version of XP. If so it would be illegal to use the same product code on all the PC's and you may have problems activating all 20 with the same product code. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
goretsky
Joined: Dec 07, 2002
Posts: 8733
Location: Southern California
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hello,
You may also want to check with the vendor of the disk imaging software to see what tool(s) they recommend to change the Product ID Key on the operating system.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Debora
Joined: Mar 28, 2004
Posts: 1764
Location: Iowa
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:30 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Have you tried to activate a machine that has the wrong number? It should give you the window to change it, stating it's an invalid number, and then you should be able to insert the correct ID code, and hence then be able to activate it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nlinecomputers
Joined: Jul 25, 2003
Posts: 1701
Location: Anywhere but this forum.
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
If you are imaging disks the the tool you need is sysprep.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documen...bc_cai_vnve.asp
It allows you to setup a system so that on it's first boot your prompted for Name and cd-key. It's what OEMs use to prep a system before they sell it.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Silencer
Joined: Jul 03, 2003
Posts: 1271
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| Quote: |
| I'm actually trying to image about 20 PC's. The problem is that the product key for windows now becomes the same across all 20 machines. NOT GOOD! |
And that's bad.....WHY?
Does it make the PC's work slower, or crash a lot, BSOD's.....what?
Inquiring minds want to know,,,,,
:cheers:
|
He has the same SAM file installed on all the systems. The serial number is only a slice of the problem.
Hint 1: The commercial version of Ghost solves some of these problems.
Hint 2: Stop attempting to clone already validated systems. (ms got a lot smarter)
Hint 3: Microsoft knows more about Ghost, than Symantec does. (see hint 2)
Hint 4: If you don't have valid licenses for all these systems, you are largely screwed by SP2.
Hint 5: A common SAM file should be avoided like the plague. (fatal on the same network, see hint 4)
Hint 6: Changing the serial number doesn't change the SAM file.
I don't know bean's about any of this, so I'll bow out of this conversation and let the experts handle it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nlinecomputers
Joined: Jul 25, 2003
Posts: 1701
Location: Anywhere but this forum.
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sysprep can delete the SAM so that you can then ghost that deSAMed image. It wil boot up and run minisetup and create a new SAM and prompt for the CD-Key.
Yes Microsoft knows about Ghost and they know that some shops like large companies or OEMs need to load from an image file. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Silencer
Joined: Jul 03, 2003
Posts: 1271
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Sysprep can delete the SAM so that you can then ghost that deSAMed image. It wil boot up and run minisetup and create a new SAM and prompt for the CD-Key.
Yes Microsoft knows about Ghost and they know that some shops like large companies or OEMs need to load from an image file.
|
Indeed they do.......
I never use Sysprep and "ghost" in the same sentence...... They ain't at all the same thing.
I've written enough winbom.ini files, I've done it in my sleep.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nlinecomputers
Joined: Jul 25, 2003
Posts: 1701
Location: Anywhere but this forum.
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Huh?
The whole point of sysprep is so that you can sanitize a system of it's CD-Key and SAM so that you can use ghost safely to image hard drives. How could you not use it in the same sentence..... :blink: :confused: |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Silencer
Joined: Jul 03, 2003
Posts: 1271
|
| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Huh?
The whole point of sysprep is so that you can sanitize a system of it's CD-Key and SAM so that you can use ghost safely to image hard drives. How could you not use it in the same sentence..... :blink: :confused:
|
Yes, a CLEAN Sysprep file is the basis for any successful Ghost shot... (maybe I didn't speak clearly)
What I intended to say was the two programs are completely different in functionality. Sysprep creates a clean scripted payload. Ghost is often used for the method of delivery. (never attempt to created a scripted image with ghost)
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
General