russ_g
Ex Member
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That would be true if you were re-installing it. If you start with a fresh install you should be able to use another OEM key. The problem is that Microsoft has different types of keys for different distributions. The following applies to XP but i'm sure the same applies to Office. Anyway if you're really really stuck and you don't want to try Open Office - i'd just go buy another Compaq that comes with 2003 Office, open it up to get the key and then return the darn thing (ya ok i'm sleazy). Just buy it at a place with an easy return policy..........did you try call Compaq tech support?
*********************************************** Unlocking WinXP's setupp.ini ========================= WinXP's setupp.ini controls how the CD acts. IE is it an OEM version or retail? First, find your setupp.ini file in the i386 directory on your WinXP CD. Open it up, it'll look something like this:
ExtraData=707A667567736F696F697911AE7E05 Pid=55034000
The Pid value is what we're interested in. What's there now looks like a standard default. There are special numbers that determine if it's a retail, oem, or volume license edition. First, we break down that number into two parts. The first five digits determines how the CD will behave, ie is it a retail cd that lets you clean install or upgrade, or an oem cd that only lets you perform a clean install? The last three digits determines what CD key it will accept. You are able to mix and match these values. For example you could make a WinXP cd that acted like a retail cd, yet accepted OEM keys. Now, for the actual values. Remember the first and last values are interchangable, but usually you'd keep them as a pair:
Retail = 51882 335 Volume License = 51883 270 OEM = 82503 OEM So if you wanted a retail CD that took retail keys, the last line of your setupp.ini file would read: Pid=51882335 And if you wanted a retail CD that took OEM keys, you'd use: Pid=51882OEM ***********************************************
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