Dell CD Inputs CD Key Automatically...

[Kareeser]

I recently bought 5 Dell Dimension 1100's for my parents' office.

A collegue wanted the drives repartitioned into C and D, so I took on the task. Little did I know that Dell didn't ship recovery (or OS) CD's with any of the five computers!

(In fact, I now remember that I had to specifically state I wanted an OS CD when I ordered a Laptop from Dell)

So I drive home, brought my Dell Inspiron 700m's OS CD out to the office, and started formatting.

After 5 painless formats, I was intrigued by the fact that none of the computers asked me for the CD key. Not during the initial setup, and not after the setup. In fact, even the "Activate Windows" Icon is gone, even though there is no access to the internet, and the computers wern't activated by phone.

Piqued, I downloaded the Magic Jelly Bean, and to my absolute horror, discovered that every one of the five machines' Windows was registered under the CD key of my Dell Inspiron 700m! That makes 6 computers with my CD key!

Panicking, I tried to change the CD Key (the keys are labelled on the side of the towers) to the ones that came with the computer, but Magic Jelly Bean simply told me that the key was invalid.

I have two days until the office gets internet, so it would be abba-solutely awesome if you guys could help me out of this situation!

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A possible solution would be to call Microsoft, but I was wondering if there were any other avenues I could explore before I call them.

Thanks in advance!
- Kareeser

[sdkfz]

Did you wipe the drives prior to creating teh C and D partitions?

There is usually a sytem restore hidden partition where you could take the unit back to factory fresh and there is also a mene option to create a system disk that goes away once done. (unless you restore when of course it comes back)

Google "change win xp key" and there are lots of places that tell you how to change keys.

[Kareeser]

Yes. Unfortunately, I deleted the restore partitions as well when I formatted the computers.

It seems weird that I can't change the key with the Magic Jelly Bean, though, or why Windows didn't require me to put a CD key, nor activate it...

[RayH]

I really wouldn't worry. Microsoft is interested in bogus copies of Windows. Dellls came with their own set of Dell keys and will only install in the manner which you described on Dell computers. So technically, it's not cricket, but I wouldn't worry.

[faulkner132]

Originally Posted by Kareeser Yes. Unfortunately, I deleted the restore partitions as well when I formatted the computers. It seems weird that I can't change the key with the Magic Jelly Bean, though, or why Windows didn't require me to put a CD key, nor activate it...

This is pretty common among OEM's. The CD is "programmed" to make sure the BIOS for the computer you are installing it on matches their company.

This is why you couldn't install a Dell copy of XP on a custom system.

[jayb1234]

Contact Dell and explain the situation and have them send you CDs for the 1100's.

I think they are about $10 apiece.

Be sure you tell them that you zapped the restore partitions, in case that makes a difference in whether a new Cd will fix the problem.

Might take an onsite service call to get it straightened out.

[glc]

If they are not going to be connected to the Internet, LEAVE THEM ALONE. This is true - the jellybean cannot change the CD key on a Dell with SP2. If you use the Microsoft tool to change it, THEN you will have to activate each and every machine by phone. The key on the COA will NOT activate online OR by the automated phone - it MUST be done by actually talking to an agent. As long as you do not install WGA, you will be fine just the way you are - and totally legal. I fought a Dell just the other day when WGA went nuts over the supposedly bogus CD key and I used the M$ tool to change it to the key on the COA sticker (This was NOT a reinstall - WGA popped up with its counterfeit nag when Windows Update installed it on a system that's never been reinstalled since delivery 3 years ago). The M$ agent gave me no hassles, so I'm thinking this is a known issue which they haven't figured out how to handle yet, so they just give you an activation.

It's very interesting that the PRELOAD uses a different key than the one on the COA sticker............it's a bulk key that cannot be activated, Dell does *something* to avoid the need for activation.