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[commodorejohn]

I think it might depend on the install disk you use, but XP Corporate (which has already been recommended) doesn't come with WGA pre-loaded, so all you have to do is set Windows Update to notify and ask for permission instead of automatically downloading and installing, then block WGA and tell it never to bring it up again. Presto, problem solved.

[tribz]

You'll be fine, you've got your legit key so you dont need to worry about WGA.

[mongo]

You'll need the OEM install CD for your laptop to be able to use the OEM serial that came with your machine. You won't have to worry about windows activation with it.

[LoadWB]

tribz and mongo have it. You don't need to worry about volume or OpenLicense keys, WGA, and all that crap if you do it correctly. Even if you have to call Microsoft activation, you'll be fine. Technically what you want to do is outside of licensing (depending upon who you ask at Microsoft,) but no biggie, just don't tell them that's what you're doing if you have to speak to someone. Just act stupid like you're reinstalling multiple times and activate each time. It works.

[kedawa]

I've installed XP Home and Pro on dozens of computers and never had to call. Most of the keys were from junk PCs that were on the curb for collection, so they were even being installed on different PCs.
Online activation was all I needed to do.

As far as your situation goes, I think it's a bad idea to set up a second partition and try to dual boot two copies of XP. There's just no point. If you are concerned about performance, back up what you need, wipe the drive, and do a fresh install with a SP3 install disc.

[ptek]

Originally Posted by LoadWB

tribz and mongo have it. You don't need to worry about volume or OpenLicense keys, WGA, and all that crap if you do it correctly. Even if you have to call Microsoft activation, you'll be fine. Technically what you want to do is outside of licensing (depending upon who you ask at Microsoft,) but no biggie, just don't tell them that's what you're doing if you have to speak to someone. Just act stupid like you're reinstalling multiple times and activate each time. It works.

The thing is that at some point, I will have 2 copies of the same Windows at different partitions, both with WGA and switching between the two several times. I am not sure if this is allowed so WGA could start complaining.

[LoadWB]

Originally Posted by ptek

The thing is that at some point, I will have 2 copies of the same Windows at different partitions, both with WGA and switching between the two several times. I am not sure if this is allowed so WGA could start complaining.

It shouldn't. Microsoft's policy for Windows 7 downgrade rights to XP is to install XP with a previously activated XP license key. There's a maximum, but two partitions on the same computer activated once each should not trigger it.

[Zac67]

WGA is no problem. Also, you can easily install a single (OEM) license on multiple machines or partitions (the latter is completely legit in EU) without any problems. Telephone activation may be necessary after the first couple of installs but there is no problem to be expected. You should also be able to call the activation in another country as well.

Initially we've used a single OEM key to install dozens of XPs with telephone activation - no problem at all. (Yes, we do own more than enough licenses but the same key for all solves a few problems - have changed to a single VL key since.)

[ptek]

OK, thanks for the tips. I'll install ASAP and post the results.

[runequester]

hah, did all the anti-piracy crusaders that come out, when someone dares talk about downloading a copy of "Defender of the Crown" take the day off?

[LoadWB]

No, they just don't care if people pirate Windows. But in this case it's not even necessary.

[GrizzlyAdams]

Originally Posted by mongo

You'll need the OEM install CD for your laptop to be able to use the OEM serial that came with your machine. You won't have to worry about windows activation with it.

If the machine shipped with XP preloaded it should have whats called System Locked Preinstallation. You can turn any OEM XP install into a Royalty OEM SLP install by substituing the OEMBIOS files matching your vendor for the ones included by windows. You then need only use the generic XP OEM key from microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457078.aspx

Doing the OEMBIOS file replacement has to be done from safemode or another windows install to get around windows file protection. there is a backup copy of oembios.* in C:\windows\system32\dllcache, you will want to replace or remove those. oembios.dat oembios.sig and oembios.bin belong in system32, and oembios.cat belongs in catroot\{f...... folder. Theres plenty of guides on how to do this. It is the exact method that major brand computers are setup from the factory so they never need activation if you keep the original motherboard.

[tribz]

Originally Posted by runequester

hah, did all the anti-piracy crusaders that come out, when someone dares talk about downloading a copy of "Defender of the Crown" take the day off?

Anti-piracy crusaders? I must have blinked and missed them. Which posts where those? Or is that the point?

[ptek]

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

If the machine shipped with XP preloaded it should have whats called System Locked Preinstallation. You can turn any OEM XP install into a Royalty OEM SLP install by substituing the OEMBIOS files matching your vendor for the ones included by windows. You then need only use the generic XP OEM key from microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb457078.aspx

Doing the OEMBIOS file replacement has to be done from safemode or another windows install to get around windows file protection. there is a backup copy of oembios.* in C:\windows\system32\dllcache, you will want to replace or remove those. oembios.dat oembios.sig and oembios.bin belong in system32, and oembios.cat belongs in catroot\{f...... folder. Theres plenty of guides on how to do this. It is the exact method that major brand computers are setup from the factory so they never need activation if you keep the original motherboard.

My XP installation was done when I booted from a CD that came along with the laptop (Toshiba Tecra A10). That process creates the partition (i think it ask if I want a second partition) and then install it. I quite don't remember if I needed to activate Windows by Internet after installing...

The thing is that I don't have any oembios files on the C:\windows\system32\dllcache folder. I am not sure what to do. I really wanted to avoid to call the phone service since I am at Netherlands and understand no Dutch (I assume the call service is automatic and on Dutch). Yes, I can still call other country activation but then I don't know if the access for that number is international (that is, if it a +countrycode number).

The situation is that I would have 2 partitions with same Windows, sharing the same serial key, and I will be alternating from an installation to another, until I finishing the lengthy process of installing everything I need on the fresh install.