Windows XP install key and Activation key

[paragpdoke]

Hello Everyone.
I'm trying to create a Virtual machine image (using VMware server 1.0.6) of an XP machine (SP2). I have the ISO file (bootable) to trigger the installer from. I also have the key to enter when the installer prompts.
However, after the OS got installed in the VM, it keeps saying that I need to activate the OS by either calling MS, or by entering the activation key.

So I guess my questions are:
1) Is the activation key the same as the install key ?
2) I'm using a different networking configuration for my VM and it currently cannot access the web. In such a case, what could I do to activate the OS.

[I read about backing up wpa.dbl (did not find the wpa.bak) ....but in my case, I'm installing XP for the first time from the ISO and don't have the old files.]

Thanks in advance,
Parag P. Doke

[AmberJain]

So I guess my questions are:
1) Is the activation key the same as the install key ?
2) I'm using a different networking configuration for my VM and it currently cannot access the web. In such a case, what could I do to activate the OS.

Ans-1. No activation key is differennt from install key as far as I remember.

I Don't have any idea about your Que-2. Wait for experts to reply.

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AmbrNewlearner
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[paragpdoke]

Ans-1. No activation key is differennt from install key as far as I remember.

I Don't have any idea about your Que-2. Wait for experts to reply.

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AmbrNewlearner
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Hello AmbrNewlearner.
Thank you for your reply. I will get in touch with our IT guys to know where to find the activation key for that ISO file.

Regards,
Parag

[Chrisjc]

First off your Install key is your activation technically.

It prompts XP to say it’s a match between the two.

Now instead of seeing the installation key, in the activation window you should see a "activation key" across the bottom if you are in the call MS activation window.

You would call MS and type in that number to phone if it does not recognize the activation key it will transfer you to a live operator. In which case they will ask some of the following questions,

The last 8 digits of the activation key
Where you purchased this version of XP
And why are you re-installing.

Answers
Give them the digits.
Either you got this at a store or it came with your PC.
I am re-installing because my Hard-drive crashed I had a bad virus.

In most cases if you answer those 3 correctly they will give you a new key to type in. and that is it.

Now if you downloaded this copy of XP and you tell them this you could be held for copyrighting / licensing. so make sure you know what you’re going to say.

Hope this helps.

[AmberJain]

Hello AmbrNewlearner.
Thank you for your reply. I will get in touch with our IT guys to know where to find the activation key for that ISO file.

Regards,
Parag

You cannot find the activation key for ISO file as activation key is unique to every computer in most cases [unless you use advanced methods to bypass Windows Product Activation (WPA) For e.g.click here].

I mean to say that Activation key is generated using following 10 hardware---->
a. Display Adapter
b. SCSI Adapter
c. IDE Adapter (effectively the motherboard)
d. Network Adapter (NIC) and its MAC Address
e. RAM Amount Range (i.e., 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc.)
f. Processor Type
g. Processor Serial Number
h. Hard Drive Device
i. Hard Drive Volume Serial Number (VSN)
j. CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM

Now as these hardwares have different Hardware ID's associated with them. Therefore WPA asks for ‘votes’ from each of these ten categories and combining them with unique PRODUCT KEY used in setting up windows creates a release code "ON YOUR SYSTEM" when you contact microsoft WPA center. Yes, the release code is saved on your system in following files:--->
C:\windows\SYST EM32\wpa.dbl
C:\windows\SYST EM32\wpa.bak
These files are actually certificate which is digitally signed by Microsoft so that it cannot be altered or counterfeited.


And so if you really wanna activate your XP, then make sure your XP is genuine and then contact Microsoft and tell them good reasons to make them believe you and then give them release code generated by your system and get a new activation key from MS activation support to get your activation key. That's it!

HOPE THIS HELPS.......... ..

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AmbrNewlearner
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[AmberJain]

First off your Install key is your activation technically.

I disagree partly with you. Actually in simple terms

CD install key + ID's for 10 hardwares on your system = Activation key

[See my reply #5 above for more details]

It prompts XP to say it’s a match between the two.

Now instead of seeing the installation key, in the activation window you should see a "activation key" across the bottom if you are in the call MS activation window.

You would call MS and type in that number to phone if it does not recognize the activation key it will transfer you to a live operator. In which case they will ask some of the following questions,

The last 8 digits of the activation key
Where you purchased this version of XP
And why are you re-installing.

Answers
Give them the digits.
Either you got this at a store or it came with your PC.
I am re-installing because my Hard-drive crashed I had a bad virus.

In most cases if you answer those 3 correctly they will give you a new key to type in. and that is it.

Now if you downloaded this copy of XP and you tell them this you could be held for copyrighting / licensing. so make sure you know what you’re going to say.

Hope this helps.

Make sure you are not supporting piracy considering this reply of yours. I assume I'm probably misinterpreting you, but if you wanna tell questioneer that he should fool MS, then you are leading him the wrong way.

THANKS.......

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AmbrNewlearner
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[Chrisjc]

Piracy... hmmm support? I don’t either. More of a choice there I didn’t say TELL them, simply said reasons. There have been plenty of times where my activation key no longer works and you have to tell them why, those where my reasons I would look at it as more of an example. It’s what happens when you like XP over the new junk they put out before it is really ready… and the way computers update all the time you have to keep on the performance train.

Also where did you get the 10 hardware solution from? I have never heard of this.

Thanks

p.s. he would need the correct answers anyways from what I understand when they ask where you bought it they know the answer… so I would like to know where the whole 10 hardware thing came from any kind of forum?

[AmberJain]

Piracy... hmmm support? I don’t either. More of a choice there I didn’t say TELL them, simply said reasons. There have been plenty of times where my activation key no longer works and you have to tell them why, those where my reasons I would look at it as more of an example. It’s what happens when you like XP over the new junk they put out before it is really ready… and the way computers update all the time you have to keep on the performance train.

Also where did you get the 10 hardware solution from? I have never heard of this.

Thanks

p.s. he would need the correct answers anyways from what I understand when they ask where you bought it they know the answer… so I would like to know where the whole 10 hardware thing came from any kind of forum?

Well, I got "10 hardware solution" not from a forum, but from a tecchannel's site (The guys at techchannel's were one of the first to find a technique to bypass Windows Product Activation). Check links below (all of them speak the same as I said in my last reply) for more details------>

Link to tecchannel
_NOTE_Also check Headings "Inhalt dieses Artikels" and "Links zum Artikel" on the same page (link above)

LINK 1

Link to wikipedia

LINK 2

Search google for more

[Chrisjc]

After all these years... I had no idea thats how it was done.

Well Thank you,

You enlightened me.