Re: Activating XP after an import?

1badtl · ‎10-29-2007

I imported a Dell system into a VM. We need to reload this system, but may need access to some old settings. Once started, the XP wants to reactivate. I try, and it tells me I don't have a valid license. I tried phone and online. I tried letting it ask me for the license key, but it won't take it. I also have Action Pack licenses to burn as well as Volume license of XP. None of the keys work. They offered to sell me a new license. I don't need a new license...I have plenty!

This is frustrating to say the lease.

Any way around this? Not much use importing a machine if you can't use it.

If I'm screwed, so be it. I just want a final answer before I waste more time tryiing to get this to work. I refuse to buy another license when I have about 8 unused ones.

Thanks in advance!

asatoran · ‎10-29-2007

The problem is the OEM version of Windows that came with the Dell. It will only work with Dell hardware. If over the phone, whoever it is can't authorize you with your existing unused volume license (I don't think the Action Pack licenses will transfer here.), then one thing that sometimes has worked for me in the past was to boot the VM with my volume license CD and have setup repair the existing Windows. The setup goes as normal and you need to use the volume license product key, but it should retain your existing settings.

Importing/Converting is not a problem, per se. It's importing/converting OEM Windows.

1badtl · ‎10-30-2007

The kicker is, I am running it on the original Dell machine, in VM WS 6.

I'll try the boot/repair.

asatoran · ‎10-30-2007

The virtual hardware is not "manufactured" by Dell, so your Dell OEM copy is not really running on the "origianl Dell machine." That, unfortunately, is how the OEM licensing works and is why your converted Windows won't activate. In essence, you've moved your installation of Windows to a new, non-Dell machine. If you did this in the physical world (e.g.: move HD from your Dell PC to a non-Dell PC) you would have the same problem. As far as Windows is concerned, it's not running on a Dell anymore.

rothwells · ‎10-16-2008

The problem is the OEM version of Windows that came with the Dell. It will only work with Dell hardware. If over the phone, whoever it is can't authorize you with your existing unused volume license (I don't think the Action Pack licenses will transfer here.), then one thing that sometimes has worked for me in the past was to boot the VM with my volume license CD and have setup repair the existing Windows. The setup goes as normal and you need to use the volume license product key, but it should retain your existing settings.

Importing/Converting is not a problem, per se. It's importing/converting OEM Windows.

Can you please describe how you "boot the VM with your volume license CD?' I am having the same problem here except mine is NOT an OEM version. It was originally installed with a Volume License CD.

Thanks!

asatoran · ‎10-16-2008

You need to obtain that CD that the system was installed with. (Or any volume CD and an appropriate CD key.) Then boot the VM just like you would if you were going to install Windows. During the setup, it will ask you if you wish to repair, say no, then when it detects your existing Windows, you say yes, you want to repair (or reinstall, or whatever it says.) Basically, you wait for setup to detect you existing installation of Windows.

But if your installation was actually installed with a volume license, then you shouldn't have a problem reactivating Windows. Just call over the phone for reactivation and tell them you've moved your copy of Windows to a new computer. (Legally, of course, you need to have a license you can use for this VM or you must erase the copy of Windows from the original machine. ) The issue with the OP was that the Dell OEM version of Windows won't activate properly on anything except Dell physical hardware.

rothwells · ‎10-16-2008

Wow! Thanks for the quick response!

When you say Boot the converted VM like I normally would, when does it ask me if I want to repair? All I get is the CTL-ALT-DEL logon window then it tells me my license is invalid.

asatoran · ‎10-16-2008

That means you haven't actually booted from the CD. The default boot order places the CD after the HD. So you need to either press ESC to get to the boot menu, or go in to the virtual machine's BIOS to change the boot order If you're having trouble pressing ESC or F2, add

bios.bootDelay = "5000"

to the VMX file to delay the boot by 5 seconds.