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Operating System Specific Discussions => Other Operating Systems => Topic started by: ptek on June 17, 2012, 12:31:40 PM
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Hi all,
I have a legitim Windows (XP) installed on my laptop for several years I've been managed to avoid re-installations using backups.
Nowadays it feels very heavy, I have a lot of stuff installed and configured so I thought in creating a new partition, install Windows onto it and slowly start to install only the stuff I most use, using the old Windows in the meanwhile.
My question is if I can install the same Windows license at two partitions at a time, so I would not have to phone M$ when I try to activate the second Windows or perhaps when I boot back into the first...
Does anyone have experience with this subject?
Tnx a lot
Pedro
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Technically it would be a re-install so the second install would need activating initially.
Worst case scenario is a call to the automated activation system if it didnt activate online ok. I've never had any problems when I've needed to call up.
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If it's XP, just grab the key via any app like Jellybean and install as you wish.
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Just get a corporate pre-activated XP ISO from *somewhere*. This allows you to simply install it once and copy all the files onto other partitions. Just modify your own boot.ini.
Microsoft screwed you since the day Commodore tanked in 1994, so why should we ever give them extra money back because of draconian licensing and activation policies afforded by their illegal monopolistic activities to the current day.
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Worst case scenario is a call to the automated activation system if it didnt activate online ok. I've never had any problems when I've needed to call up.
That is what I fear, since I'm living at the Netherlands and I don't yet understand Dutch.
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If it's XP, just grab the key via any app like Jellybean and install as you wish.
Thanks for the tip. I still have the license sticker beneath the laptop.
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Just get a corporate pre-activated XP ISO from *somewhere*. This allows you to simply install it once and copy all the files onto other partitions. Just modify your own boot.ini.
Microsoft screwed you since the day Commodore tanked in 1994, so why should we ever give them extra money back because of draconian licensing and activation policies afforded by their illegal monopolistic activities to the current day.
Yes I undestand you but I would prefer to keep my license. Afterall I bought it (included with the laptop) and licenses from "other sources" gives some fussing with the validation (you need to do some tricks) which I can avoid just by using my legitim license.
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http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
Should work for pulling the key as a usable file to avoid a re-reg.
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Just get a corporate pre-activated XP ISO from *somewhere*. This allows you to simply install it once and copy all the files onto other partitions. Just modify your own boot.ini.
Microsoft screwed you since the day Commodore tanked in 1994, so why should we ever give them extra money back because of draconian licensing and activation policies afforded by their illegal monopolistic activities to the current day.
Who said anything about buying it again? Whats this got to with Commodore tanking? Are you feeling ok?
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http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
Should work for pulling the key as a usable file to avoid a re-reg.
Tnx, but I have the key. It's on the sticker.
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Jellybean and other keyfile pullers can pull the keyfile from the current install, allowing you to then copy that saved file to the new install and "activate" it, saving you the trouble of calling up MS to re-purpose/re-register the existing copy.
There's a number of them, but I always found Magic Jellybean to work the best, and it supports a load of apps. Drop me a PM if it doesn't work for you and I can probably dig you up an alternative solution.
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Jellybean and other keyfile pullers can pull the keyfile from the current install, allowing you to then copy that saved file to the new install and "activate" it, saving you the trouble of calling up MS to re-purpose/re-register the existing copy.
Great! Did not understood that before. Thanks, I'll notify you if something goes wrong.
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Just get a corporate pre-activated XP ISO from *somewhere*. This allows you to simply install it once and copy all the files onto other partitions. Just modify your own boot.ini.
This. As long as you're scrupulous about never allowing Windows Genuine Spyware Advantage through in the updates, you're in the clear. (And it's not like you can buy a new copy of XP anyway.)
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AFAIK XP doesn't check for number of activations or change in machine specs.
For Windows 7 "something" called Windows Loader is a godsend ;).
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This. As long as you're scrupulous about never allowing Windows Genuine Spyware Advantage through in the updates, you're in the clear. (And it's not like you can buy a new copy of XP anyway.)
Windows Genuine Advantage (spyware?!): Yes, that's what I have now installed on the current WindowsXP was fearing from a second installation. If I am not mistaken, if you don't install WGA you cannot proceed to other updates. I guess SP3 is only available with WGA install (or is included...? well I could be wrong.)
But will Jellybean bypass this problem?
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I think it might depend on the install disk you use, but XP Corporate (which has already been recommended) doesn't come with WGA pre-loaded, so all you have to do is set Windows Update to notify and ask for permission instead of automatically downloading and installing, then block WGA and tell it never to bring it up again. Presto, problem solved.
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You'll be fine, you've got your legit key so you dont need to worry about WGA.
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You'll need the OEM install CD for your laptop to be able to use the OEM serial that came with your machine. You won't have to worry about windows activation with it.
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tribz and mongo have it. You don't need to worry about volume or OpenLicense keys, WGA, and all that crap if you do it correctly. Even if you have to call Microsoft activation, you'll be fine. Technically what you want to do is outside of licensing (depending upon who you ask at Microsoft,) but no biggie, just don't tell them that's what you're doing if you have to speak to someone. Just act stupid like you're reinstalling multiple times and activate each time. It works.
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I've installed XP Home and Pro on dozens of computers and never had to call. Most of the keys were from junk PCs that were on the curb for collection, so they were even being installed on different PCs.
Online activation was all I needed to do.
As far as your situation goes, I think it's a bad idea to set up a second partition and try to dual boot two copies of XP. There's just no point. If you are concerned about performance, back up what you need, wipe the drive, and do a fresh install with a SP3 install disc.
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tribz and mongo have it. You don't need to worry about volume or OpenLicense keys, WGA, and all that crap if you do it correctly. Even if you have to call Microsoft activation, you'll be fine. Technically what you want to do is outside of licensing (depending upon who you ask at Microsoft,) but no biggie, just don't tell them that's what you're doing if you have to speak to someone. Just act stupid like you're reinstalling multiple times and activate each time. It works.
The thing is that at some point, I will have 2 copies of the same Windows at different partitions, both with WGA and switching between the two several times. I am not sure if this is allowed so WGA could start complaining.
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The thing is that at some point, I will have 2 copies of the same Windows at different partitions, both with WGA and switching between the two several times. I am not sure if this is allowed so WGA could start complaining.
It shouldn't. Microsoft's policy for Windows 7 downgrade rights to XP is to install XP with a previously activated XP license key. There's a maximum, but two partitions on the same computer activated once each should not trigger it.
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WGA is no problem. Also, you can easily install a single (OEM) license on multiple machines or partitions (the latter is completely legit in EU) without any problems. Telephone activation may be necessary after the first couple of installs but there is no problem to be expected. You should also be able to call the activation in another country as well.
Initially we've used a single OEM key to install dozens of XPs with telephone activation - no problem at all. (Yes, we do own more than enough licenses but the same key for all solves a few problems - have changed to a single VL key since.)
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OK, thanks for the tips. I'll install ASAP and post the results.
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hah, did all the anti-piracy crusaders that come out, when someone dares talk about downloading a copy of "Defender of the Crown" take the day off?
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No, they just don't care if people pirate Windows. But in this case it's not even necessary.
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You'll need the OEM install CD for your laptop to be able to use the OEM serial that came with your machine. You won't have to worry about windows activation with it.
If the machine shipped with XP preloaded it should have whats called System Locked Preinstallation. You can turn any OEM XP install into a Royalty OEM SLP install by substituing the OEMBIOS files matching your vendor for the ones included by windows. You then need only use the generic XP OEM key from microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx
Doing the OEMBIOS file replacement has to be done from safemode or another windows install to get around windows file protection. there is a backup copy of oembios.* in C:\windows\system32\dllcache, you will want to replace or remove those. oembios.dat oembios.sig and oembios.bin belong in system32, and oembios.cat belongs in catroot\{f...... folder. Theres plenty of guides on how to do this. It is the exact method that major brand computers are setup from the factory so they never need activation if you keep the original motherboard.
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hah, did all the anti-piracy crusaders that come out, when someone dares talk about downloading a copy of "Defender of the Crown" take the day off?
Anti-piracy crusaders? I must have blinked and missed them. Which posts where those? Or is that the point?
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If the machine shipped with XP preloaded it should have whats called System Locked Preinstallation. You can turn any OEM XP install into a Royalty OEM SLP install by substituing the OEMBIOS files matching your vendor for the ones included by windows. You then need only use the generic XP OEM key from microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx
Doing the OEMBIOS file replacement has to be done from safemode or another windows install to get around windows file protection. there is a backup copy of oembios.* in C:\windows\system32\dllcache, you will want to replace or remove those. oembios.dat oembios.sig and oembios.bin belong in system32, and oembios.cat belongs in catroot\{f...... folder. Theres plenty of guides on how to do this. It is the exact method that major brand computers are setup from the factory so they never need activation if you keep the original motherboard.
My XP installation was done when I booted from a CD that came along with the laptop (Toshiba Tecra A10). That process creates the partition (i think it ask if I want a second partition) and then install it. I quite don't remember if I needed to activate Windows by Internet after installing...
The thing is that I don't have any oembios files on the C:\windows\system32\dllcache folder. I am not sure what to do. I really wanted to avoid to call the phone service since I am at Netherlands and understand no Dutch (I assume the call service is automatic and on Dutch). Yes, I can still call other country activation but then I don't know if the access for that number is international (that is, if it a +countrycode number).
The situation is that I would have 2 partitions with same Windows, sharing the same serial key, and I will be alternating from an installation to another, until I finishing the lengthy process of installing everything I need on the fresh install.