2 different product keys for one license????

S

i had windows xp home (OEM) pre-installed when i bought my PC....
The COA was pasted on the top of the CPU cabinet ,on which the product key for XP was printed...
But when i used a CD key reader(not a key gen) software to know what cd key is used to install xp....i found that it was different than what is on the COA...

now if i re-install xp with the COA-key it requires activation..

but if i use the key from the CD key reader it doesnt require activation and also it passes the Genuine validation.....

any ideas.....

But when i used a CD key reader(not a key gen) software to know what cd key is used to install xp....i found that it was different than what is on the COA...

some time this can happen by the misstake of the resposable person of the PC Brand...

now if i re-install xp with the COA-key it requires activation..

but if i use the key from the CD key reader it doesnt require activation and also it passes the Genuine validation.....

Have u tried that by ur self... ?? and with SAME installation disk but 2 times and with 2 different key??

as this sounds very wired...

because the 2nd one can happen when it is installed with a Volume licanse CD and Key... in this process there is no neeed for activation as they are preactive

and the 1st thing happens when u install with an OEM CD...

i think .. ur comp seller has given some fake serial on ur cabinet.. and installed the windows xp with a VLK (vlume licensing key) which does not require activaion anyways... so basically may be he has charged yor for a windows copy but has installed a vlk one,, most probably pirated one

just go to microsoft site and complaint to them.. they will replace it.. or let u validate through that key only..

P

y dont u try to activate your XP using the key printed on COA, if it is getting activated then u shud continue using that key ...

S

saurav_cheeta said:
Have u tried that by ur self... ?? and with SAME installation disk but 2 times and with 2 different key??

yes I did .....with same disk and same computer....

when i use the key which was read by the CD reader...i need not activate..it doesn't even ask for activation....
to check the gunuineness i also installed WGA tool,also checked on online validation.....
online validation passed.....

but....

when i use the key on the COA with the same cd and same pc....it asks for validation......
but i havent activated yet....i still use the old key...

now i have a question will i be able to sucessfuly activate xp with the COA key....
if yes...
can i activate it in a diff pc with excat same config without activating on the above pc...

?????

now i have a question will i be able to sucessfuly activate xp with the COA key....

yup... but remember... OEM key has limited number of time for activation... some 5 or 7, i forgot... but there is a limitation for sure...

can i activate it in a diff pc with excat same config without activating on the above pc...

once activated on a PC... that product key wont get activate on another PC... and if u try, that will be illigal...

yes I did .....with same disk and same computer....

can u describe how the CD looks, better if u can post a scaned image or a digi pic of the CD... that may clear some doubt...

S

saurav_cheeta said:
yup... but remember... OEM key has limited number of time for activation... some 5 or 7, i forgot... but there is a limitation for sure...

once activated on a PC... that product key wont get activate on another PC... and if u try, that will be illigal...

i never activated the coa key...does that mean i can use it ina diff pc to activate..

presently i am not able to scan the image ...may be later i will scan it..

i never activated the coa key...does that mean i can use it ina diff pc to activate..

well theoriticaly yes... but technically u r breking the MS agreement... because that key was issued for that computer on which the sticker is....

but yes... if u have a atitude of "Who cares"... then yes... u can get it activated on any other system...

but beware... some time few Branded computer installation CDs comes with some kind of hardware protection... i have seen few... (came with a Compac branded system) which refues to get install on other non compac system

...

S

saurav_cheeta said:
well theoriticaly yes... but technically u r breking the MS agreement... because that key was issued for that computer on which the sticker is....

but yes... if u have a atitude of "Who cares"... then yes... u can get it activated on any other system...

but beware... some time few Branded computer installation CDs comes with some kind of hardware protection... i have seen few... (came with a Compac branded system) which refues to get install on other non compac system ...

well thank u very much for all the info.....
dont worry i am not going to break the ms agreement as of now....as i donot have a second computer...
may be if i get a second pc i will re-consider whats on the ms agreement....