Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

[Guest thricipio]

I have a bit of a dilemma...

 

My DELL Inspiron 1000 has crapped out on me for the umpteenth time (okay, I

exaggerate... but it *is* the 3rd time), so it's "in the shop."

 

My brother was kind enough to lend me his Inspiron 8600 (for which I hold

out no high hopes... but I need a computer and have limited funds). Using

his computer has involved upgrading to a new HDD and thus a reinstall of

WinXP Home. Problem is, my brother couldn't find his XP install CD. So,

I've used the one that came with my I-1000. All seemed well until I tried

activating XP and input the code that was

on the bottom of my brother's I-8600. As I'm sure you've guessed, it didn't

work... and actually, I sort of anticipated this. But I wasn't sure, so

thought I'd give it a try.

 

So now the question is this:

Should I . . . . . . . .

(a) go to "the shop" and get the code off the bottom of my I-1000 and input

it when trying to activate the I-1000 XP license on my brother's I-8600?

--or--

(b) should I redouble my efforts to locate my brother's XP-CD and start over

on his machine?

 

I guess another way of asking the question is: are the install CD and the

code on the bottom of the PC it's shipped with, mapped to eachother, such

that you can swap the mapped pair between two machines... as long as you keep

them together?

 

Thanks ahead of time for whatever help you can provide.

 

--Thri

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

Yes, recover the product code for the cd you are using.

 

"thricipio" <thricipio@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:ED52195C-AB0E-422C-9F2F-73478C0D1B48@microsoft.com...

>I have a bit of a dilemma...

>

> My DELL Inspiron 1000 has crapped out on me for the umpteenth time (okay,

> I

> exaggerate... but it *is* the 3rd time), so it's "in the shop."

>

> My brother was kind enough to lend me his Inspiron 8600 (for which I hold

> out no high hopes... but I need a computer and have limited funds). Using

> his computer has involved upgrading to a new HDD and thus a reinstall of

> WinXP Home. Problem is, my brother couldn't find his XP install CD. So,

> I've used the one that came with my I-1000. All seemed well until I tried

> activating XP and input the code that was

> on the bottom of my brother's I-8600. As I'm sure you've guessed, it

> didn't

> work... and actually, I sort of anticipated this. But I wasn't sure, so

> thought I'd give it a try.

>

> So now the question is this:

> Should I . . . . . . . .

> (a) go to "the shop" and get the code off the bottom of my I-1000 and

> input

> it when trying to activate the I-1000 XP license on my brother's I-8600?

> --or--

> (b) should I redouble my efforts to locate my brother's XP-CD and start

> over

> on his machine?

>

> I guess another way of asking the question is: are the install CD and the

> code on the bottom of the PC it's shipped with, mapped to eachother, such

> that you can swap the mapped pair between two machines... as long as you

> keep

> them together?

>

> Thanks ahead of time for whatever help you can provide.

>

> --Thri

>

>

[Guest Nepatsfan]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

"thricipio" <thricipio@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:ED52195C-AB0E-422C-9F2F-73478C0D1B48@microsoft.com...

>I have a bit of a dilemma...

>

> My DELL Inspiron 1000 has crapped out on me for the umpteenth time (okay, I

> exaggerate... but it *is* the 3rd time), so it's "in the shop."

>

> My brother was kind enough to lend me his Inspiron 8600 (for which I hold

> out no high hopes... but I need a computer and have limited funds). Using

> his computer has involved upgrading to a new HDD and thus a reinstall of

> WinXP Home. Problem is, my brother couldn't find his XP install CD. So,

> I've used the one that came with my I-1000. All seemed well until I tried

> activating XP and input the code that was

> on the bottom of my brother's I-8600. As I'm sure you've guessed, it didn't

> work... and actually, I sort of anticipated this. But I wasn't sure, so

> thought I'd give it a try.

>

> So now the question is this:

> Should I . . . . . . . .

> (a) go to "the shop" and get the code off the bottom of my I-1000 and input

> it when trying to activate the I-1000 XP license on my brother's I-8600?

> --or--

> (b) should I redouble my efforts to locate my brother's XP-CD and start over

> on his machine?

>

> I guess another way of asking the question is: are the install CD and the

> code on the bottom of the PC it's shipped with, mapped to eachother, such

> that you can swap the mapped pair between two machines... as long as you keep

> them together?

>

> Thanks ahead of time for whatever help you can provide.

>

> --Thri

>

>

 

First off, I'm taking for granted that XP Home Edition was also installed on

your brother's Inspiron. Double check the sticker on the bottom of his laptop.

It has to say XP Home Edition. If not, keep looking for his installation CD. As

a matter of fact, finding that CD would be the answer to all your problems. When

using the correct installation CD, Dell systems don't require activation. They

use an SLP key. That's a fancy way of saying that you wouldn't have to enter the

CD key from the sticker.

 

Don't do (a). Odds are you'd run into the same problem anyway. Instead when you

try to activate, chose phone activation and tell them you're reinstalling XP

using the key on the bottom of the laptop. Give only enough information to get

the job done.

 

Good luck

 

Nepatsfan

[Guest thricipio]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

Colin-

 

Thanks for your brief asnwer to my (regrettably) long-winded question.

 

--Thri

 

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> Yes, recover the product code for the cd you are using.

>

> "thricipio" <thricipio@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:ED52195C-AB0E-422C-9F2F-73478C0D1B48@microsoft.com...

> >I have a bit of a dilemma...

> >

> > My DELL Inspiron 1000 has crapped out on me for the umpteenth time (okay,

> > I

> > exaggerate... but it *is* the 3rd time), so it's "in the shop."

> >

> > My brother was kind enough to lend me his Inspiron 8600 (for which I hold

> > out no high hopes... but I need a computer and have limited funds). Using

> > his computer has involved upgrading to a new HDD and thus a reinstall of

> > WinXP Home. Problem is, my brother couldn't find his XP install CD. So,

> > I've used the one that came with my I-1000. All seemed well until I tried

> > activating XP and input the code that was

> > on the bottom of my brother's I-8600. As I'm sure you've guessed, it

> > didn't

> > work... and actually, I sort of anticipated this. But I wasn't sure, so

> > thought I'd give it a try.

> >

> > So now the question is this:

> > Should I . . . . . . . .

> > (a) go to "the shop" and get the code off the bottom of my I-1000 and

> > input

> > it when trying to activate the I-1000 XP license on my brother's I-8600?

> > --or--

> > (b) should I redouble my efforts to locate my brother's XP-CD and start

> > over

> > on his machine?

> >

> > I guess another way of asking the question is: are the install CD and the

> > code on the bottom of the PC it's shipped with, mapped to eachother, such

> > that you can swap the mapped pair between two machines... as long as you

> > keep

> > them together?

> >

> > Thanks ahead of time for whatever help you can provide.

> >

> > --Thri

> >

> >

>

[Guest thricipio]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

The guy at "the shop" made a similar suggestion, instructing me to tell MS

that I had to replace the motherboard.

 

Of the two, suggestions, I'm tempted to go with (a), based on the following

reasoning (which may be flawed -- feel free to tell me if you think it is):

If I went out and purchased a shrinkwrapped copy of XP it would come with a

similar activation code, which I think I'd have to input when I tried to do

the actual installation. From this, I infer that the key-code isn't tied to

the hardware, but to the installation disk. Therefore, since I've installed

with my I-1000 CD, then inputting its key-code should do the trick.

 

Since I'll be driving past "the shop" tomorrow, I'll stop in and copy the

key-code and try it upon my return. If that doesn't work, then it's good to

know that the phone option might.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

--Thri

 

"Nepatsfan" wrote:

> Don't do (a). Odds are you'd run into the same problem anyway. Instead when you

> try to activate, chose phone activation and tell them you're reinstalling XP

> using the key on the bottom of the laptop. Give only enough information to get

> the job done.

>

> Good luck

>

> Nepatsfan

>

>

>

[Guest thricipio]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

I'm a bonehead! I didn't see your first paragraph before posting my first

reply to your post. Having read that, I've decided to try and find my

brother's CD. But... I'm still gonna try using the key-code off the bottom

of my I-1000 and see what happens. I guess, my second option will be the

phone one, since I don't want to redo the efforts I've already put into this

build. If that fails, then I'll have my brother's CD as a last resort...

assuming I can find it.

 

Thanks again for your help. --Thri

 

"Nepatsfan" wrote:

> First off, I'm taking for granted that XP Home Edition was also installed on

> your brother's Inspiron. Double check the sticker on the bottom of his laptop.

> It has to say XP Home Edition. If not, keep looking for his installation CD. As

> a matter of fact, finding that CD would be the answer to all your problems. When

> using the correct installation CD, Dell systems don't require activation. They

> use an SLP key. That's a fancy way of saying that you wouldn't have to enter the

> CD key from the sticker.

[Guest Nepatsfan]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

I think you'll find that using the CD key from your Inspiron 1000 system will

give you the same results. As noted in my earlier response, Dell uses what's

called an SLP key during the installation of XP. This key is usually stored in

the I386\winnt.sif folder on your installation CD. Using the correct CD for that

laptop means activation is not required. Take a look at this article for more

info on SLP keys.

 

System Locked Preinstallation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Locked_Preinstallation

 

Now, here's the problem you're going to run into. A few years ago, Microsoft

changed how the CD keys on OEM stickers would be handled by the activation

process. It basically invalidated all CD keys that were on computer where

Windows XP had been pre-installed. That's why you're having a problem using the

key on the bottom of your brother's laptop. With this in mind, I'd expect the

same thing to happen if you try to use the CD key from your Inspiron 1000. Take

a look at this article for more info.

 

Microsoft Closes Activation Loophole

http://www.betanews.com/article/Microsoft_Closes_Activation_Loophole/1109293194

 

Bottom line, the problem you're having has nothing to do with the CD key being

tied to a particular CD.

 

If you find your brother's installation CD and it's for the same version of XP,

you may be able to get away with performing a repair installation as opposed to

starting from scratch. Finally, if you end up using the phone activation option,

I'd suggest passing on the advice from the guy at the shop. Keep it simple, you

lost the CD and are using a one from a different Dell computer.

 

Good luck

 

Nepatsfan

 

"thricipio" <thricipio@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:B32B81C2-F264-421F-A6F9-FDB7AE4F94BA@microsoft.com...

> I'm a bonehead! I didn't see your first paragraph before posting my first

> reply to your post. Having read that, I've decided to try and find my

> brother's CD. But... I'm still gonna try using the key-code off the bottom

> of my I-1000 and see what happens. I guess, my second option will be the

> phone one, since I don't want to redo the efforts I've already put into this

> build. If that fails, then I'll have my brother's CD as a last resort...

> assuming I can find it.

>

> Thanks again for your help. --Thri

>

> "Nepatsfan" wrote:

>> First off, I'm taking for granted that XP Home Edition was also installed on

>> your brother's Inspiron. Double check the sticker on the bottom of his

>> laptop.

>> It has to say XP Home Edition. If not, keep looking for his installation CD.

>> As

>> a matter of fact, finding that CD would be the answer to all your problems.

>> When

>> using the correct installation CD, Dell systems don't require activation.

>> They

>> use an SLP key. That's a fancy way of saying that you wouldn't have to enter

>> the

>> CD key from the sticker.

[Guest Daave]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

Nepatsfan wrote:

> If you find your brother's installation CD and it's for the same

> version of XP, you may be able to get away with performing a repair

> installation as opposed to starting from scratch.

 

I'm sure if the brother also had an Inspiron 1000, then this would work.

However, since the brother's laptop is an Inspiron 8600, do you think

this method would work? I've never tried it, but I would imagine it

probably wouldn't. Worth a try, though, I suppose.

[Guest Nepatsfan]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

news:uBZsaZ3iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Nepatsfan wrote:

>

>> If you find your brother's installation CD and it's for the same

>> version of XP, you may be able to get away with performing a repair

>> installation as opposed to starting from scratch.

>

> I'm sure if the brother also had an Inspiron 1000, then this would work.

> However, since the brother's laptop is an Inspiron 8600, do you think

> this method would work? I've never tried it, but I would imagine it

> probably wouldn't. Worth a try, though, I suppose.

>

>

 

 

That's why I used the term "may be able to" in my response. I guess I was trying

to be an optimist and give the OP some hope that the current installation on the

Inspiron 8600 was salvageable.

 

Truth be told, I'm surprised he ran into the problem he's having. I've got

copies of Dell XP Home installation CDs from different Dimension systems and

they appear to be identical. The same CD key shows up in the winnt.sif file on

CDs from 2003 to 2007.

 

Nepatsfan

[Guest Daave]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

Nepatsfan wrote:

> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

> news:uBZsaZ3iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> Nepatsfan wrote:

>>

>>> If you find your brother's installation CD and it's for the same

>>> version of XP, you may be able to get away with performing a repair

>>> installation as opposed to starting from scratch.

>>

>> I'm sure if the brother also had an Inspiron 1000, then this would

>> work. However, since the brother's laptop is an Inspiron 8600, do

>> you think

>> this method would work? I've never tried it, but I would imagine it

>> probably wouldn't. Worth a try, though, I suppose.

>>

>>

>

>

> That's why I used the term "may be able to" in my response. I guess I

> was trying to be an optimist and give the OP some hope that the

> current installation on the Inspiron 8600 was salvageable.

>

> Truth be told, I'm surprised he ran into the problem he's having.

> I've got copies of Dell XP Home installation CDs from different

> Dimension systems and they appear to be identical. The same CD key

> shows up in the winnt.sif file on CDs from 2003 to 2007.

 

Very interesting. I'm surprised that Dell is this lax!

[Guest Colin Barnhorst]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

Lax? Take a look at this:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Microsoft-Windows-Home-Reinstallation/dp/B000M12DNE/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1206136176&sr=8-10

 

and

 

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Microsoft-Windows-Reinstallation-6W896/dp/B000MELEKE/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=miscellaneous&qid=1206136176&sr=8-15

 

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

news:uooMla5iIHA.2396@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Nepatsfan wrote:

>> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

>> news:uBZsaZ3iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> Nepatsfan wrote:

>>>

>>>> If you find your brother's installation CD and it's for the same

>>>> version of XP, you may be able to get away with performing a repair

>>>> installation as opposed to starting from scratch.

>>>

>>> I'm sure if the brother also had an Inspiron 1000, then this would

>>> work. However, since the brother's laptop is an Inspiron 8600, do

>>> you think

>>> this method would work? I've never tried it, but I would imagine it

>>> probably wouldn't. Worth a try, though, I suppose.

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>> That's why I used the term "may be able to" in my response. I guess I

>> was trying to be an optimist and give the OP some hope that the

>> current installation on the Inspiron 8600 was salvageable.

>>

>> Truth be told, I'm surprised he ran into the problem he's having.

>> I've got copies of Dell XP Home installation CDs from different

>> Dimension systems and they appear to be identical. The same CD key

>> shows up in the winnt.sif file on CDs from 2003 to 2007.

>

> Very interesting. I'm surprised that Dell is this lax!

>

>

[Guest Nepatsfan]

Re: Activate WinXP-Home - Help!

 

"Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

news:uooMla5iIHA.2396@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Nepatsfan wrote:

>> "Daave" <dcwashNOSPAM@myrealboxXYZ.invalid> wrote in message

>> news:uBZsaZ3iIHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> Nepatsfan wrote:

>>>

>>>> If you find your brother's installation CD and it's for the same

>>>> version of XP, you may be able to get away with performing a repair

>>>> installation as opposed to starting from scratch.

>>>

>>> I'm sure if the brother also had an Inspiron 1000, then this would

>>> work. However, since the brother's laptop is an Inspiron 8600, do

>>> you think

>>> this method would work? I've never tried it, but I would imagine it

>>> probably wouldn't. Worth a try, though, I suppose.

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>> That's why I used the term "may be able to" in my response. I guess I

>> was trying to be an optimist and give the OP some hope that the

>> current installation on the Inspiron 8600 was salvageable.

>>

>> Truth be told, I'm surprised he ran into the problem he's having.

>> I've got copies of Dell XP Home installation CDs from different

>> Dimension systems and they appear to be identical. The same CD key

>> shows up in the winnt.sif file on CDs from 2003 to 2007.

>

> Very interesting. I'm surprised that Dell is this lax!

>

>

 

 

I wouldn't categorize it as Dell being lax. If you were to run the Magic Jelly

Bean Keyfinder on all the Dell XP computers on the planet, I think you'd find

that thousands if not millions of them share a common CD key. And the

installation CDs that shipped with those systems are probably identical.

 

I'm no expert on SLP, but I believe the process involves a check of the system's

BIOS. When using a Dell XP installation CD, if it finds the correct info in the

BIOS, the installation will proceed and no activation will be required. The CD

key in the winnt.sif file will be used during the installation. The way I

understand it is that Dell systems running XP Home have a common entry in the

BIOS. Systems running XP Pro have a different setting. As long as you use the

correct Dell XP installation CD for the version you ordered, no activation

should be required.

 

OTOH, if the info in the BIOS doesn't match, the installation will proceed but

it will not activate. That's what's happening to the OP.

 

Good luck

 

Nepatsfan