Hi all, Although I've spent 3 nights already breaking my head over this, I still don't get it. Will someone please guide me in the right direction? Here's my situation: I have a Compaq Presario SR9xxx that has a COA for Windows XP Home. I've zeroed the harddrive and now would like to install the OS (XP Home SP3) using the key on the COA. I've used the OEMBios Tool so I have 4 SLP strings to work with; using one of the SLP strings, I've got the compressed OEMBios file set. I've been using as a guide Suicide Solution's sticky: "How To: Create Pro OEM SLP CD". All help/guidance certainly appreciated. Tks.
if you are using an OEM version of XPhomeSP3 and your COA key is an OEM one than you require nothing. you only require SLP strings and OEMbios sets if using an OEM:SLP key which the COA key is not.
@ Captain, I'd rather go w/ Pro but I want to stay away from piracy so I'm settling for the Home rights. But thanks!!!
Technically installing XP pro version when computer has home OEM COA key it is piracy machine is not licensed for pro version.
@ User Hidden, Just using a plain ol' simple XP Home OEM iso with the COA on my Compaq worked!!! I can't believe I spent 3 nights breaking my head over this?! Thanks!!! @ tcntad, tito, Captain, That time in my life where I could take chances is gone. I appreciate the camaraderie though!
Hi doomslayer could you point me in the right direction for the XP Home SP3 OEM you got, have been searching and going round in circles. In the same situation as you and want to use my COA key. Thanks
Thanks for the quick reply Tito, had already looked there and under the untouched ISOs can't seem to find XP Home SP3 OEM am I being stupid.
Ok getting retail version as we speak, also did some background reading, so this is the plan : before burning ISO going to edit i386\SETUPP.INI burn ISO install and activate with COA how does that sound now lol Thanks to everyone who contributes to this site, for their time and effort.
@ mossy, yes for the moment you can activate using coa key if you are lucky even though M$ years ago stopped it officially I think it was after windows Xp SP2 because any one could go into a store and copy OEM:COA key from a branded machine the whole point here is OEM:SLP so you can Pre-Activate your computer no need to call M$ just try reactivating with OEM:COA key a few times and eventually you will need to call M$
I have activated unused XP COA key in the last year without a call to MS. I had read of them stopping it because too many keys were being improperly copied from the stickers on computer cases. So I didn't expect it would work, but it did. So may get lucky, at least first time.
the COA key on my OEM Compaq machine is the same as the SLP key for the same manufacturer for the same edition. it is my assumption that all OEM machines are this way, and that the COA is nothing unique ever on an OEM machine.