windows registration key

[Hosie]

When building a used computer, I normally install windows 98se to test all of the components and such. My question is, If you are selling a used computer, is there any way to change the registration key without having to reinstall?

for example:
I build a used system and joe blow decides he wants to buy it, and has his own copy of windows 98se. Can I go in and change the key to match his, or do I have to go through the process of reinstalling windows and then all of the various drivers etc. I always make them provide thier own copy of windows, or purchase a new one... but I hate having to install everything twice. This hasnt been much of an issue in the past, but I now have several used computers and am not looking forward to hours of re-installs. any help would be appreciated!

[reboot]

Open regedit, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion and look at ProduckKey.
Change it to anything you like.

[Hosie]

Thank you very much! now if only all the big companies tech support was as fast as you guys....lol

[Hpro]

Caution..
The product key will differ form one computer to another and it's corresponding to the CD key - if changing the product KEY then also the CD key must be changed..and the name of the owner and company -

My advice get OEM Version for RESALE from microsoft instead and if you know that this computer is going to be sold then at least you are protected by law - if you read the lisence agreement then you are actually not entitled to sell a computer with your OWN install of Win98 even if you change the KEY CODES...because you can then install the remaining CD onto another computer and this will break the agreement - Ok I know it's hard to figure out but if you go straigth by the agreement then it will turn out something like this... the only way if you exchange his copy against your copy with all what comes with it , it may be acceptable by the law..

[Hosie]

physically all windows cd's are the same right? As long as the buyer owns a windows 98se cd, and has the product key and all that then there is no difference which cd I install from correct? I understand what you are saying but I am sure Microsoft charges an arm and a leg for the resale version, which to my understanding is the same as any other... I am not pirating or giving away computers containing a microsoft OS, therefore I do not see how I could be doing anything wrong... correct me if I am wrong.

[Hpro]

My Idea was only to show all the circumstances - nothing personal -

[EzyStvy]

Not all cd's are the same. One key does not fit all cd's...

[HAL9000]

Originally posted by EzyStvy
Not all cd's are the same. One key does not fit all cd's...

I have used a batch file to load Win98 since Win98 was released. Never had a problem with the same key on any copy of Win98FE or SE. That key however will not work on WinME.

[Hosie]

I uderstand what you are saying Hpro, and we all know how microsoft is about their licensing agreements...lol

If I was doing a large volume of new OS installs then definately I would go for the the resale... but when you do maybe a dozen a year, It just doesnt pay...

any key for 98se works with any 98se disk, any ME key works with any ME disk and so on... they are not interchangeable between the different OS's...

they even have generic codes for them, but that is something that microsoft really doesnt want you to know :-)

[JeanneD]

Just so you know some places can sell you OEM windows 98/Me/2000 CD w\license . Its like $97-150. I know TCWO.com does that if you want to check it out...http://tcwo.com/
but you do have to buy 1 any other item to get it (its legal that way)

[reet]

guys...question for you please. We just bought a computer that has win98se installed but it said we needed to provide the product key. Well, we already had a Dell computer with OEM product key, however, the OEM key is not a correct sequence of dashes and numbers for the new computers product key. How do I uninstall the win98 version that is in there, and just install my copy? I tried booting from CD and installing, it goes through the motions, but when it reboots, and gets to the product key, it is the version that has the different sequence. It's like my install didn't even take. Hope that makes some sense...........

[glc]

You would need to reformat the drive and install clean. Clarify this, please - you were sold a computer with a 98SE preload, and were not given the product key? I would be contacting your vendor with some pointed questions.......

[reet]

we knew that it was a win98se preload, if we wanted to buy the cd-key, it would have been an additional $100 or so. Anyway, I've got it going. I appreciate it. I had a brain fart and forgot how to do an install. It had been a while since I did one.

Rita

[glc]

Thats just plain wrong. I would report the vendor to Microsoft for selling machines with unlicensed (technically pirated) copies of Windows on them.

[Carl Price]

Originally posted by glc
Thats just plain wrong. I would report the vendor to Microsoft for selling machines with unlicensed (technically pirated) copies of Windows on them.

I wouldn't report <b>anything</b> to Microsoft. Microsoft doesn't play by the law, why should we? Read my signature.

[WickedLittleSlaveBoy]

stealing bread may not always be immoral, but stealing software is never moral.

[SARGE]

How touchy-feely. Stealing is never moral except when the government steals through taxes. MSoft been on top long enough; perhaps they need a few less light bulbs on Gates' luxury liner. We'll do what's necessary, right Carl?

[HAL9000]

I dunno guys... the message I get here is: The American dream, to be rich and successful, but apparently not too rich and successful.

[WickedLittleSlaveBoy]

income taxes have been declared unconstitutional before, why not take your case to the supreme court? considering the state of the school systems in the U.S. compared to some European countries, I would think we're getting screwed on the whole tax thing, but that's another matter.


you guys know the agreement when you use MS stuff, don't try to legitimize stealing because of anything MS does...it's still stealing, and there is no legitimate need to steal software.

MS has been on top for long enough, but there isn't anything to replace it, either. when there is, MS will get whatever may be coming to it.

[Carl Price]

I wasn't trying to legitimize stealing software. I would never do that. But I would <b>never report anything</B> to Microsoft. That is all I'm saying.

[HAL9000]

Originally posted by Carl Price
But I would <b>never report anything</B>to Microsoft. That is all I'm saying.

I would, especially in the situation where a competitor is undercutting my prices with the above practice.

[SARGE]

There it is, Hal, $$$$. The rights and wrongs take a backseat to the profit margin. ;)

[HAL9000]

Yup... in one way or another, just about everything in this world comes down to the almighty $$$$ :D

[glc]

Okay - then don't report them to M$ - report them to the BSA or SPA. Selling a computer with an unlicensed operating system is not only unethical but illegal. I build computers and have to play by the rules - why shouldn't everyone else? What you do with your computer after you buy it is your business, but it's MY business (and responsibility) how I sell it to you. I will sell you a computer with NO operating system - then you can do whatever you want - I don't force Windows (or any other operating system) down your throat, unlike some OEM's.

If you did not want to pay the price for a legal copy of Windows, the vendor should NOT put it on anyway and withhold the key - they should have sold it to you with a blank hard drive. THAT'S my point.

I am also happy to install YOUR copy of Windows if you bring me the original disk and license key - bring me a burned copy and I will politely tell you no dice. However - I will format the drive for you - and then you can take it home and do whatever you want. I don't need the software cops knocking on my door, thank you.

[HAL9000]

Originally posted by glc
Okay - then don't report them to M$ - report them to the BSA or SPA. Selling a computer with an unlicensed operating system is not only unethical but illegal...


...I I don't need the software cops knocking on my door, thank you.

And the preacher said: AMEN!

[SARGE]

OK by me. I like things legal myself, which leads to my question. If a person has 3 pc's and 1 copy of Win98 (legal copy), is it technically unethical/illegal to install the 1 copy on all 3?

[HAL9000]

Yes, you are to have a legal copy for each machine.

[WickedLittleSlaveBoy]

SARGE,

no. it isn't. after having survived an MS audit, I would have to say that it's perfectly legal to install all three from one CD. it is, however, illegal if you don't have licenses for all three.

with MS products, you're not paying for a CD-ROM, you're not paying for any documentation, you're not paying for a product key. you're paying for a license.

of course, OEMs have stricter requirements, but they also get their licenses for less than the rest of us....if I have 50 unlicensed workstations and MS comes in, I get to pay for my licenses. if an OEM sends out 50 unlicensed workstations, they get to go to court, as an example.


I'm no MicroCop, either....but I would most definately turn anyone that builds in, if they're screwing their customers. at least burn them a CD, or tell them they need to buy a CD. otherwise, when their systems die, they're not left with a way to fix it.

I also wouldn't mind screwing Dell, Compaq or Gateway over, after having been screwed over by them on numerous instances.

[glc]

A consumer cannot buy just a license for Windows. Volume licenses are only sold through Microsoft Solution Providers to large entities through the MOLP.

Sarge - what you propose is "legal" only if you own 2 more "licenses". You are going to have a hard time trying to buy 2 "licenses" - you would have to buy the whole package. What you do in your own home is your business.

I have a customer with 15 Windows 98 workstations. He bought 15 copies of Windows - and we used only one of them to set up all 15 workstations. Microsoft technically does not approve of doing it this way, but in this scenario, I say screw them - I'm gonna do what's easiest. The guy bought 15 "licenses" and can prove he did. M$ has his money and he has 14 useless CD's with documentation and pretty blue boxes still shrinkwrapped to keep them in.

[WickedLittleSlaveBoy]

I've seen tigerdirect sell individual licenses, of course I don't see it anywhere on their site now. the end user also gets a license with the purchase of a legit machine with Windows preinstalled.

I had 400 ghosted machines at my site, maybe 5 copies of Windows used to install all of those. the only thing we got hit on was CALs, because my advice wasn't listened to.

[Hosie]

Boy did i open a can of worms...lol

I guess I have gotten my answer, Although microsoft does not aprove of what I do it is technically not legal as long as each customer has an original, legal copy of windows, with license and all. Now if only Linux was as widely accepted and user friendly...

[glc]

Ah yes - but it appears that reet was NOT given a license with his preload! If WLSB has 400 licenses and 400 machines, his @$$ is covered. Yeah - CAL's are a pain. Novell licensing is a lot more straightforward, it's all done at the server and it will not allow excess logons.

Hosie - you are complying with the spirit of licensing - you should have no problem as long as the customer has a legal license of some sort.