XP Pro Activation

I created a Windows XP Pro VPC using our corporate CD. It
is asking for activation in virtualPC when we have an
enterprise license and never needed to active on a normal
load. Activation using our CD-Key results in an error.

Any ideas?

ed

 

It sounds like it really isn't a volume license CD, or it's a really
bad install. Did you try it on another, completely blank VHD?

Scott

 

I agree but our corporate people assure me it is a
enterprise copy. I am using a network load. This load has
been successful for a normal load. It appears VPC is
converting the product ID to an -oem- version requiring
activation. The normal load using the same load point has
a non-oem PID.

Thanks

 

VPC can't convert anything like you've mentioned, its simply a virtual
computer. It has no way to recognize your install as XP, let alone
which version of XP you've installed.

Also, I've seen the corp version of XP installed on VPC without
issue.

Steve Jain, Microsoft MVP for Virtual PC for Windows
Website: http://www.essjae.com
*** All posts are provided AS-IS, no warranty, no QoS ***

 

As have I. Non-VL (i.e., retail) prompts for activation, as expected.
The VL copy doesn't, and neither one will recognize the other's key. I
use both all the time.

Scott

 

I agree but our corporate people assure me it is a

Could it be a "pre activated" OEM version? That is, a version of XP that
comes from the computer manucaturer (eg Dell, Compaq ...), and that could be
installed on computers from the same manufacturer without activation? Note
that Virtual PC has its bios of its own, and therefore it might not be
possible to install OEM versions of XP customized for other computer brands.

 

On a similar topic...

I want to use VPC to run some alpha software safely on my machine
(i.e. the Community Tech Preview of Whidbey). Do I need to get another
copy of XP to run in my VM, or can I use my existing copy?

The evaluation document says that all operating systems must be
properly licensed... but what about the same copy of the O/S running
on the same hardware? Is isn't immediately clear to me what the
licensing situation here is...

julian
in london

 

MS considers the VM, even if its on the same physical machine, as a
separate machine and must have its own license.

Steve Jain, Microsoft MVP for Virtual PC for Windows
Website: http://www.essjae.com
*** All posts are provided AS-IS, no warranty, no QoS ***

 

OK... I thought that might be the case.
Thanks for the reply.

julian

Templeman Consulting Ltd.
London and North Wales