Messages

1

Software / Bypassing WinXP serial check

« on: October 03, 2003, 04:37:30 PM »

OK, I've compared a retail XP disk and my "OEM" disk.  The I386 directories are similar, and I've convinced myself the differences are due to SP differences.  When I apply the same SP to both directories I get no differences.

So why can't I automate my XP install?  Now completely out of ideas.

Chris

2

Software / Bypassing WinXP serial check

« on: September 30, 2003, 05:00:52 PM »

Jason,
thanks for the reply, but your winnt.sif is largely the same as mine.  I've experimented some more...

If I do not have a winnt.sif I get asked all the usual questions, but not for key.  If I have any winnt.sif AT ALL, all questions are automatically answered EXCEPT I get asked for a licence key http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' /> .  Any key I include in .sif or add manually is invalid.  If I change the OEM options in the .sif I get asked for the CD Key (yellow label) or the Volume Licence Key, but never for the "normal retail" key http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':angry:\' /> .

I thought I had a retail CD, but I might have an OEM version and this may be keyed somehow different.  I'm going to compare CDs, or more precesely the I386 directories as this is all I've copied, at work tomorrow http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':unsure:\' /> .

Unless of course you or someone else can inform me otherwise.

Starting to get a bit hacked of at this now.  It was so easy with Win2k, almost trivial you might say compared to this.  If it is the fact that the OEM version is different I might go and find a short pier and go for a long walk..... http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' />

Chris

3

Software / Bypassing WinXP serial check

« on: September 28, 2003, 06:36:42 AM »

Don't know if this is the right thread to post this is in but...

In WinXPPro I'd also like to know how to bypass the serial number entry whilst doing a fully unnattended install from CD.  I'm not trying to bypass the registration or activation, just to automatically install from CD.  Then I can activate once installed.  This works a treat for Win2k, but there's something different in XP, guess it's related to activation.

I've been fiddling with slipstreaming and modifying the winnt.sif file for days but have not been able to get it fully automatic.  Slipstreaming is sorted, adding hardware detection is sorted (I think!), but automatic install isn't.

Without a winnt.sif file I get asked all the usual questions, but not for a serial number until installation is complete and then into the activation routine.  I'm just trying to make the same thing happen, but to automate the answers.

Anybody got any ideas or experience of this in XP?