Detect Windows XP production series?

[ChromWolf]

I'm sure I'm using the wrong terminology, but is there a way to detect which version of Windows XP Professional you're running (OEM, Retail, Volume License, etc.)?

In the past, I've tried doing a repair install of Windows XP, but the legit CD wouldn't accept the legit product key; I'd try putting in a bogus key with the intention of blanking it out with the actual key once Windows was finished installing with something like SysPrep, but it wouldn't take the key there either, leaving me with an illegitimate version of Windows... So, I figure it's a good guess that different production runs of Windows XP, be they Pro or Home, accept different sequences of product keys (it's my understanding that product keys are not tied to a specific CD--is this incorrect?)

What would be really nice is a program that could run a box and detect which specific series of Windows XP Pro was installed, and even better, could also scan a Windows installation CD for the same thing, to make sure installation is fully legit and will take the key on the side of the box during a repair/reinstall.

Is there any such thing?

[rjfvillarosa]

I don't know of one but I would love to know if there is, I get so many customers machines that I would like to do a repair install on only to find they haven't got the original disk or it is damaged beyond use.

[glc]

Sounds harsh, but the proper way to do this is require the customer to buy a new copy of XP when they can't provide the appropriate media. M$ will replace damaged media for a nominal shipping charge if it's generic media, but if it's a vendor-specific disk, only the vendor can help here.