bypass the product key input on WinXP

[Anonymous]

Win2k:  It was said that you can edit the setupp.ini to bypass product key prompt

Office2k: It was said that you can put the product key in setup.ini so the key will auto-insert while installing the software.

OfficeXP: any solution to bypass the product key input?

[Big_Z]

Office XP
I tried entering the cdkey in the setup.ini file, but was unsuccessful.
Right now I believe the only way to do it is from an administrative installation point.
details here.
integrate the patches into XP if you make an admin point

WinXP
try an unattend.txt file

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

But where should I put the unattend file?  Can I modify the setupp.ini file to bypass the product key prompt?

[Josetann]

You cannot bypass the serial key in WinXP.  You can use the unattend.txt file to auto-enter it for you (which makes it appear to skip the key, as you never enter it).  You can call the unattend script automatically, so you can start the install by double-clicking one file, and there\'s no need for a floppy disk or anything.  But, I haven\'t been able to figure out how to make it still ask normal setup questions, such as do you want to do a clean install or an upgrade.  Perhaps it asks after it copies the files and reboots, but I don\'t want to chance it on my main machine.

[Space Between]

Ah yeh..i was lost on that part too....if you want it to reformat your drive, upgrade or whatever from the setup screen....from bootup or inside windows you must create a winnt.sif file manually....you can set all sorts of auto-deployment options..you can even start with a blank hdd and a half hour later your computer be up and running a website...all automated..all you have to do is stick the floopy in after you boot from the cd. (to do this from within windows i have not done before due to i always reformat...but would be the same)
to learn how to do that read the unattend.doc on in the deploy.cab on your winxp/2k cd:SUPPORTTOOLSdeploy.cab   tells you all about it in there...if that is not enough to help read the entire 1000 page deployment guide here http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techi...dpg/default.asp  i read it...yes the whold thing...it is very very helpfull actuall and only takes about 3 hours to read it....as far as deploying programs and atomaticaly installing drivers etc. from on installation....FROM THE CD and not over  a network..im still lost on...and that is what i really need to know

[Space Between]

O yeh i almost forgot...there was a guy who claimed he got the product key window to either be bypassed or the #pre-installed in #winxp on efnet...i would of known but i wasnt at the putter when he was in the chan and nobody seemed to care enough to ask him how he did it...try there though..he might be back in there sometime...l8r

[Josetann]

The prompt is bypassed if you use the unattend.txt script, and call setup to use that.  In other words, the key is still there.  It skipped right past the part where it should ask me if I want to upgrade or do a clean install, so I exited out of it before it went any farther.  Some day I will see if it asks you during the text part of the install, and is actually safe to use.

[Space Between]

?? you lost me...what you mean jose?..mine works when i manually create the winnt.sif...im sorry if im missing something but i dont know what you are looking for...upgrade???like from win98 to 2k/xp...that has to be manually created in the winnt.sif...im just confused

[Josetann]

I mean, I want a way so just the serial number is bypassed (in xp it\'s really just auto-entered for you).  I left out the parts in the unattend.txt about doing automatic partitioning or not, doing an upgrade or clean instlall, etc.  I was expecting to be asked those questions.

It may ask those questions after it reboots and starts the actual install.  Whenever I have a free moment, I will try it.  If it works, then calling the unattend.txt file via a setup switch, to do nothing more than to get by the serial prompt (cause it\'s in unattend.txt) will be a viable solution.

[DrDeath]

Hey guys if you follow the link on this site about the office2k serial prompt it works fine for office xp, except the file is located in FilesSetup.

Just remove the coments (http://images.thetechguide.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\'\' /> from the [options] if it is there and then jut follow the steps listed on this site.

[Anonymous]

I\'ve seen copies of XP with the serial # was inputted into the boxes without using a unattend.txt or winnt.sif. They were not done using auto installs.. the only part of the install in fact that was pre input was the COA. The end user didn\'t have to type in COA just hit next.. So I know it\'s possible... If anyone has ever seen this or has a copy of xp or 2000 where the COA is already in the boxes without using the unattend or winnt.sif file please email me and tell me how it was done. (Also since finding this answer is my soul purpose this weekend If I find the answer I will post it here)

Thank you in advance
Eric

[email protected]

[Anonymous]

i know exactly what you are talking about....what if you just edit the setupp.ini file in the i386 dir and add in this (from the winnt.sif):

[UserData]
ProductID=12345-12345-12345-12345-12345
FullName=\"sumthin\"
OrgName=\"sumthin\"
ComputerName=Default

after the [pid] portion???

don\'t ya think this would work???

[Anonymous]

Actually.... No it doesn\'t..(I thought it would also)

That\'s one of the things I\'ve tried.. I\'ve actually gone a little crazy trying to resolve this and have put .....

[UserData]
ProductID=12345-12345-12345-12345-12345
FullName=\"sumthin\"
OrgName=\"sumthin\"
ComputerName=Default

Everywhere.. trying to find the right spot.. Setupp.ini, txtsetup.inf, winnt.sif, winnt32.sif, I made an msbatch.inf... no luck in any places. when it is in winnt.sif it will work auto when booting off cd... but again.. not what I\'m looking for... It wont go in there auto when executing setup.exe while in windows.. and besides... dont want an auto unattend just want the coa section already filled out.. Thank you for  your responce though.. if you have any other ideas don\'t hesitate to post..

Eric
[email protected]

[Space Between]

It works for me.

The only thing that is not possible that i know of that is in a win2k unattended install is setting your installation folder manually from the setup screen from boot.

[Anonymous]

I\'m going to assume that you misunderstand the question... I have searched the internet High and Low for the resolution for this and was unable to find the answer anywhere. I would think that if it was as easy as putting
[UserData]
ProductID=12345-12345-12345-12345-12345

In the setupp.ini then it would be published on this site and every other site that talks of making a bootable XP cd. This particular subject on this forum has been open since 10-06-01. In fact you have posts earlier on this subject where you have said....

\"O yeh i almost forgot...there was a guy who claimed he got the product key window to either be bypassed or the #pre-installed in #winxp on efnet...i would of known but i wasnt at the putter when he was in the chan and nobody seemed to care enough to ask him how he did it\"

 When you say that it works for  you... do you mean that when you are running setup and you get to the Product Key screen.. it shows Preinput in the boxes.. and all you have to do is click next? (that\'s what im looking for). or do you mean that you are running an unattend or winnt.sif and the product key section doesn\'t even come up? (not what I\'m looking for) Also.. if you are inside of windows and you execute setup.exe directly from the cd will the product key still be filled out in the product key section? (Also what I am looking for).
If you have successfully gotten windows to act the way I\'m looking for as described above Please let me know exactly how you got it to operate that way.

   I know it can be done.. I once had a copy of xp beta that someone had hacked and made a cd like this. It seems that this knowledge is not well known on the internet and I\'m positive that this info will enlighten everyone.

    Still hunting for the answer
WIll post it here if I find it elsewhere.
 
Eric
[email protected]