XP Key

[Joe]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

We have a small network with 25 PC’s all have XP pro OEM pre installed at
purchase. The CD’s where unpacked by a previous employee and placed into the
wrong sleeves and thrown into a drawer of a filing cabinet. I have been
charged with carrying out an inventory of IT hardware/software. Is their any
quick way of identifying which XP disc is associated with which Key or do I
have to insert the CD’s into each PC until I find the right one.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

In news:550578C3-B17A-4064-897D-2E5BA26B3F38@microsoft.com,
Joe <Joe@discussions.microsoft.com> replied with a ;-)
> We have a small network with 25 PC's all have XP pro OEM pre
> installed at purchase. The CD's where unpacked by a previous employee
> and placed into the wrong sleeves and thrown into a drawer of a > filing
> cabinet. I have been charged with carrying out an inventory of
> IT hardware/software. Is their any quick way of identifying which XP
> disc is associated with which Key or do I have to insert the CD's
> into each PC until I find the right one.

The Product Keys are not hard coded to each CD, the Product Key will be on
the outside of the case if the OEM followed Microsoft's specific
instructions. You can use any CD of the same version [i.e. Home, Pro] on any
of the computers. The important thing is the Product Key, not the CD.
As David said, the Product Key you would get from any Key Finding utility
would be the generic key used by the OEM to install.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
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[Joe]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Hi
Thanks to all contributors for your responses, looks like you have saved me
a heap of time.
Regards
Joe


"Joe" wrote:

> We have a small network with 25 PC’s all have XP pro OEM pre installed at
> purchase. The CD’s where unpacked by a previous employee and placed into the
> wrong sleeves and thrown into a drawer of a filing cabinet. I have been
> charged with carrying out an inventory of IT hardware/software. Is their any
> quick way of identifying which XP disc is associated with which Key or do I
> have to insert the CD’s into each PC until I find the right one.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

Hi,

Joe wrote:
> Is their any quick way of identifying which XP disc is
> associated with which Key or do I have to insert the CD's
> into each PC until I find the right one.

There is a difference between full retail, upgrade, OEM, volume licensing,
and sometimes also large OEM branded media. There is no difference between
similar discs for the same product, so if yours are all the same, it doesn't
matter.

In fact, most people toss all but a couple -- it's the COA label with the
product key that matters.

--
Chris Priede (priede@panix.com)

 

[barryg]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

The CDs should ALL be the same if they are from the same OEM. The difference
will be in the license key used to load each one. There should be a sticker
with the license key number stuck to the case of the computer.
OR, Belarc Advisor can retrieve it for you.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Good Luck.

BarryG

"Joe" <Joe@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:550578C3-B17A-4064-897D-2E5BA26B3F38@microsoft.com...
> We have a small network with 25 PC's all have XP pro OEM pre installed at
> purchase. The CD's where unpacked by a previous employee and placed into
> the
> wrong sleeves and thrown into a drawer of a filing cabinet. I have been
> charged with carrying out an inventory of IT hardware/software. Is their
> any
> quick way of identifying which XP disc is associated with which Key or do
> I
> have to insert the CD's into each PC until I find the right one.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

If loaded by a large OEM they will have the OEM''s key used for install. Therefore Belarc Advisor will give the wrong key. Large OEM supply an installed OS using the OEM's key not the customer's key. You use your key on the label on the computer if reinstalling.

And, as you said, all CDs of a type accept all product keys for that type. EG All retail keys work with all retail CDs. The key isn't on the CD. The key used has to pass some math test.

--
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http://webdiary.smh.com.au/archives/_comment/001075.html
=================================================
"BarryG" <dont.call.me@ill.call.you> wrote in message news:%23HtUT1QuFHA.3256@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> The CDs should ALL be the same if they are from the same OEM. The difference
> will be in the license key used to load each one. There should be a sticker
> with the license key number stuck to the case of the computer.
> OR, Belarc Advisor can retrieve it for you.
> http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
>
> Good Luck.
>
> BarryG
>
> "Joe" <Joe@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:550578C3-B17A-4064-897D-2E5BA26B3F38@microsoft.com...
>> We have a small network with 25 PC's all have XP pro OEM pre installed at
>> purchase. The CD's where unpacked by a previous employee and placed into
>> the
>> wrong sleeves and thrown into a drawer of a filing cabinet. I have been
>> charged with carrying out an inventory of IT hardware/software. Is their
>> any
>> quick way of identifying which XP disc is associated with which Key or do
>> I
>> have to insert the CD's into each PC until I find the right one.
>
>