Windows Genuine Advantage... updated!

[dZeus]

Are we allowed to post a link for something like this?

I'm at work right now and won't be home til around 10 or 10:30 pm (paciific). If it's not allowed to post the link I can send it to you as an attachment?

depends on how illegal it is of course...

Keep in mind that whatever is sent through PM isn't [as] actively monitored as forum messages

[Evildead666]

I install images on PC's at work, and we always get sent preinstalled PC's with XP Activated.
I have to recreate an unactivated image, with as many updates as possible.
So far, i cant go into Windows update, cos it wants me to to activate before i go any further.
I don't want to activate, cos i have 100 PC's to install, and dont want to have to use the same key for all, even though it works...and XP SP2 can't have its key changed for some reason.
Once its activated, you cant change the key. You have to reinstall.

I just activated the Automatic updates, and a whole load of updates were available, and installed, without going to the WIndows Update site.
I am not sure if i got ALL the available updates, but will check on monday.

Jez

[Gurm]

and XP SP2 can't have its key changed for some reason.
Once its activated, you cant change the key. You have to reinstall.

It can be done. Pretty simple, too IIRC but I don't have a link offhand. Quick google search ought to sort you out, though.

[Jammrock]

There are several key changers on the net. Essentially if changed a hex code in the registry that corrupts the key and causes Windows to prompt for reregistration and activation.

[High_Jumbllama]

I would imagine that being in a domain, and actually having a domain controller, makes the control behave differently. If you really have a domain admin, they kind of have to let the domain admin set the rights instead of just going "haha your admin gets to control this neener!" to keep you from fiddling.

Arrrggghhh!. APparently it was just becuase I had not restarted I.E. yet.

[Victorian]

depends on how illegal it is of course...

Keep in mind that whatever is sent through PM isn't [as] actively monitored as forum messages

Thanks.

[Victorian]

Link?

Link sent via email.

[Evildead666]

There are several key changers on the net. Essentially if changed a hex code in the registry that corrupts the key and causes Windows to prompt for reregistration and activation.

Yup, there are. And they all work for XP SP1 only.
I can show the key, but it wont change it.
Magical Jelly Bean was the most recommended one...and it didnt work.

All the googling i have done has come up with a plethora or answers for SP1, but a good few of them stated that it was not possible to do this on SP2.

edit: i even deleted the registry keys concerned, and Windows still kept on saying that it was already activated..these are XP Pro OEM Keys as well, which i thought wouldnt be able to run with a different MAC address, cos that would change the activation key...yet i imaged 12 machines, and all of them had the same key, and wouldnt reactivate...

Jez

[Gurm]

Yup, there are. And they all work for XP SP1 only.
I can show the key, but it wont change it.
Magical Jelly Bean was the most recommended one...and it didnt work.

All the googling i have done has come up with a plethora or answers for SP1, but a good few of them stated that it was not possible to do this on SP2.

edit: i even deleted the registry keys concerned, and Windows still kept on saying that it was already activated..these are XP Pro OEM Keys as well, which i thought wouldnt be able to run with a different MAC address, cos that would change the activation key...yet i imaged 12 machines, and all of them had the same key, and wouldnt reactivate...

Jez

Lemme see what I can do - I've changed my SP2 key several times with whatever changer I happened to have.

[High_Jumbllama]

C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\8b8c30d92 a5a722c5d42566e03bea22d\update\update.inf

is the inf that relates to this I believe.


I could not find where the add-on registry settings are stored. Anyone know?

[Gurm]

I just changed my XP Key, with SP2. Would you like me to give you the file?

[Jammrock]

link expired

PM me if you need it.

[High_Jumbllama]

Any attempt I amde to mess with the registry settings in update.inf caused windows update to try and reinstall it including the one specifically for disabling the extension.

[Jammrock]

speaking of strange behavior ... I tried going to ThePirateBay.org in Vista/IE7, and I kept getting errors. Log into XP, comes up just fine.

hmmmmm.....

[Jon P. Inghram]

Didn't you know? Vista comes with an incorrect-thought filter integrated directly into the kernel.

Just kidding, but wouldn't be surprised if it were true...