Two XP machines, same product key

[PanHandler]

Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I wanted
to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo utility and
while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked familiar. I went to
my list of machines/keys on my other computers and found the SAME key in use
on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold about a year ago! I read
both keys at least five times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on top
of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell can
this be?

PS:
XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.

 

[smlunatick]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key

On Oct 16, 3:48 pm, "PanHandler" <B...@digital.net> wrote:
> Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
> preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I wanted
> to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo utility and
> while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked familiar. I went to
> my list of machines/keys on my other computers and found the SAME key in use
> on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold about a year ago! I read
> both keys at least five times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
> What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on top
> of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell can
> this be?
>
> PS:
> XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.

eMachine, as well as large computer makers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) each
have a special bulk install license. Microsoft permits this since the
PCs are produced in large quantities. However, with the XP recovery
method provided, each PC have their own unique XP CD key sticker.

 

[PanHandler]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key


"smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b08d30df-38e2-428b-9cc7-f80b28daacc9@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
On Oct 16, 3:48 pm, "PanHandler" <B...@digital.net> wrote:
> Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
> preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I
> wanted
> to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo utility and
> while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked familiar. I went
> to
> my list of machines/keys on my other computers and found the SAME key in
> use
> on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold about a year ago! I read
> both keys at least five times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
> What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on top
> of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell can
> this be?
>
> PS:
> XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.

eMachine, as well as large computer makers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) each
have a special bulk install license. Microsoft permits this since the
PCs are produced in large quantities. However, with the XP recovery
method provided, each PC have their own unique XP CD key sticker.

OK. I did see that the sticker is different than what Aida reports. Which
key is recognized by M$?

 

[Bob I]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key



PanHandler wrote:

> "smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:b08d30df-38e2-428b-9cc7-f80b28daacc9@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 16, 3:48 pm, "PanHandler" <B...@digital.net> wrote:
>
>>Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
>>preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I
>>wanted
>>to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo utility and
>>while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked familiar. I went
>>to
>>my list of machines/keys on my other computers and found the SAME key in
>>use
>>on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold about a year ago! I read
>>both keys at least five times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
>>What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on top
>>of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell can
>>this be?
>>
>>PS:
>>XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.
>
>
> eMachine, as well as large computer makers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) each
> have a special bulk install license. Microsoft permits this since the
> PCs are produced in large quantities. However, with the XP recovery
> method provided, each PC have their own unique XP CD key sticker.
>
> OK. I did see that the sticker is different than what Aida reports. Which
> key is recognized by M$?
>

If you reinstall you will have to provide the one on the PC sticker.

 

[Xandros]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key

"PanHandler" <Boon@digital.net> wrote in message
news:N2JJk.49080$bx1.32576@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
>
> "smlunatick" <yveslec@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:b08d30df-38e2-428b-9cc7-f80b28daacc9@m36g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Oct 16, 3:48 pm, "PanHandler" <B...@digital.net> wrote:
>> Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
>> preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I
>> wanted
>> to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo utility and
>> while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked familiar. I went
>> to
>> my list of machines/keys on my other computers and found the SAME key in
>> use
>> on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold about a year ago! I read
>> both keys at least five times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
>> What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on
>> top
>> of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell can
>> this be?
>>
>> PS:
>> XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.
>
> eMachine, as well as large computer makers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) each
> have a special bulk install license. Microsoft permits this since the
> PCs are produced in large quantities. However, with the XP recovery
> method provided, each PC have their own unique XP CD key sticker.
>
> OK. I did see that the sticker is different than what Aida reports. Which
> key is recognized by M$?

Both keys are acceptable. However when, or if, you use the Recovery Disc set
that came with the new computer the old key that AIDA found will not work
during setup. You will need to supply the Product Key on the sticker which
will work with the Restore Discs.

Many companies have license agreements with Microsoft that enable them to
use the same Product Key for mass install purposes. That way unattended
installs can be done at the factory. These keys will allow activation to be
done. However the software that is supplied with the new computer will have
a different Product Key. Therefore you have the key on the sticker that
differs from the one that was used during the initial factory installation.

Don't worry about trying to change the key until such time that you decide
to reinstall using your Recovery Discs. Make certain you write the Product
Key down from the sticker and keep it with your Restore CDs in a safe place.

--

Xandros

 

[PanHandler]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key

Thanks for the help people!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key

PanHandler wrote:
> Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
> preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I wanted
> to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo utility and
> while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked familiar. I went to
> my list of machines/keys on my other computers and found the SAME key in use
> on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold about a year ago! I read
> both keys at least five times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
> What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on top
> of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell can
> this be?
>
> PS:
> XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.
>
>


If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive
image used at the factory and not your specific Product Key; therefore,
it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not be -- used for a
re-installation.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[PanHandler]

Re: Two XP machines, same product key


"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:%23DVcwK$LJHA.6000@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> PanHandler wrote:
>> Yesterday I bought a new eMachine at Wal-Mart for $298, with XP Home
>> preinstalled. After getting it configured and loading some programs I
>> wanted to get some info on the machine, so I loaded the Aida SysInfo
>> utility and while poking around in it noticed that the OS key looked
>> familiar. I went to my list of machines/keys on my other computers and
>> found the SAME key in use on one of my old (5 Year) eMachines that I sold
>> about a year ago! I read both keys at least five times to make sure I
>> wasn't hallucinating.
>> What the hell? What are the odds of M$ doing that accidentally, and on
>> top of that, the chances an individual would ever catch it? How the hell
>> can this be?
>>
>> PS:
>> XP was preloaded, so it didn't even do the validation thing.
>>
>>
>
>
> If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since reinstalled
> the OS, the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive image used at
> the factory and not your specific Product Key; therefore, it probably
> cannot be -- and definitely should not be -- used for a re-installation.

A year or so ago, before selling the aforementioned eMachine, I reinstalled
the OS and used that key - it was on the case. Over the 5 or so years I had
it I reinstalled at least one other time. Each time I used the supplied
restore disc, and if I recall correctly it was done with a ('Ghost ?)
utility of some sort.