Cheapest legal way to provide XP reinstalls for customers

[mrapoc]

Hey guys

I wish it were as simple as 1 XP disk (home or pro) will work with any serial but alas there are seperate OEMs such as Dell and such which wont work with a standard XP disk.

So basically, if customers already have an xp serial, but its for say, Acer or Dell, and do not have the provided disk, yet a valid license, other than getting a copy of each OEM's disk for my use (changing the serial each time) is there another way?

Customers will obviously not want to buy a totally new OEM license so what are my options?

[Rastalovich]

Generally speaking, I've found 1 OEM version works on all of them. Whether that's changed any I don't know, it's been a while.

A little clue for u too, which isn't anything dodgy, but 99% of the time, the i386 folder somewhere in the c:\ drive contains everything u need to reinstall the OS.

I bet u could google on how to make best use of it.

[deathwish]

i am going to suggest a ris server "not due to your needs, but because it sounds like a fun prodject"

on a serious note most oem keys you can install with a standard xp retail cd

[mrapoc]

Last time I tried to reinstall a Dell Home serial with a Home SP3 disk it just kept telling me invalid serial =/

So either

a) check out the i386 stuff

b) acquire a CD off each OEM by whatever means

c) try using a retail version

[Rastalovich]

If u get a laptop with an i386 folder on the c:\ I'd be tempted to copy that folder somewhere convenient like another partition (make a 5g or so d: if u need to, which could be handy for storing drivers and the like incase the person ever comes back to u, along with other things u install like free-avg or whatever). Then I'd try booting to something like a usb stick that has win98 startup or summit, and once at command prompt try: d:\i386\winnt32.exe (or .ex_ whichever it is)

Should work in theory.

Here's a good a guide as any to make a bootable stick.

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Another thing I thought of that I feel is legitimate, is to find an OEM pc/laptop with the i386 folder on it, and use nLite. iirc, nLite asks to be pointed to a legit XP folder, and I think the i386 one should do. Don't adjust any of the tweaks, and maybe it'll make a cd for u to burn

Ofc u'll only use it for the repair using a legit key

Legend has it, u copy the contents of a RETAIL XP install CD to a folder, then copy over the i386 folder from the OEM over the one in the retail copy. I'd guess u could just burn the contents of that folder then and forget nLite.

[mrapoc]

those are definately worth a try

but are there any viruses that cud possibly infect i386? id only need one copy i suppose per oem, meaning i could get a low risk system, virus scan etc. then use nlite (seems the best choice).

then tell nlite to make an ISO and voila i have a backup in which to use legal keys with

[Freak]

my laptop has a partition built into it for this. i can also build a dvd for it. I think that would then allow anyone to use it then add in a key??? i dunno.

[Rastalovich]

In terms of the legalities, I believe that the creation of the bootable form is walking a tightrope; giving a copy of it for some1 else to use is a definite no-no; but using it as a means to re-apply something that's already existing whilst retaining the legit key is so light a shade of grey I'm not sure u could call it an area.

Viruses I would seriously doubt, almost to the extent of betting some1's house on it. For sure, there are illegal copies of OSes on 'the scene' that can/do contain sneaky stuff, more often than not within the key cracking bit, but inherently the OS stuff itself is ok. Theory here being I believe each file is scrutinized b4 used in installation, not 100% on that.

But to be fair, u can create the pre-burning folder, then fire ur best anti-virals at it and see what happens.

At the end of the day, imo, microsoft could care less where the install media came from as long as the key is legit. However they would not like u burning the media en-mass and distributing it, as u obviously don't have an agreement to do so and I believe a legit key is meant to accompany every issued cd. So if u made an oem cd out of what u have and kept it to urself, I don't see an issue.

[Jim]

OEM is OEM is OEM afaik. So long as you have a generic XP OEM CD it should work with the S/N that your customers will have stuck to their base units.

Failing that you could either:

1. Make them provide the original CD to you or buy a new XP license.

2. Install XP using one of your keys. After install remove this from registry (there's a proper way to do this). When they boot up the machine when they get home they have to enter the license key. Whether they go legit or get a key off the net is their call.

[Freak]

I think that would be the best bet jim.

I spose it lets you install it but not have to worry about the users key.