XP Licensing Question

[mmoseley]

Hiya guys,

Ive got a quick question, im looking into RIS or ghosting or some form of workstation imaging,

Now my question is, I dont have a Windows XP VLK, Can i just make an image of one PC and send out that image to lets say 20 of the same make/model, all our PCs are HP's, im just thinking that if it has an XP authenticity sticker on the base?

How do other schools go about imaging when they dont have a VLK?

Cheers, sorry if im being stupid!

Mart

[djones]

You could image one PC based on its OEM key and then post imaging, change each PC's key to its correct OEM as per the sticker.

[dhicks]

> How do other schools go about imaging when they dont have a VLK?

I have a seperate copy of each workstation's image on our central backup server. I figure it must be possible to write some kind of binary diff-ing program to reduce storage requirements a bit, though.

--
David Hicks

[FN-GM]

I agree with djones.

Z

[torledo]

Is their a good reason why you haven't got an xp VLK ? 'Cos I can't think of one. As a school or other educational org you should be part of a larger select agreement or at the very least qualify for open licensing from a microsoft partner. You should not be using OEM licences, it's not good practice IMO.

[maniac]

The advice I've received in the past is as long as the school can prove they hold sufficient licenses for the installed products, it doesn't matter what license key is actually used for the installation.

That was from a microsoft partner company.

Mike.

[dhicks]

> Is their a good reason why you haven't got an xp VLK?

Surley these cost money?

--
David Hicks

[Dos_Box]

Not really. Ask your LEA if they have a purchasing arrangement with Microsoft or one of its partners. In Lancashire we can buy all software with VLK where applicable for the same price as OEM.

[Gatt]

Erm.. just a couple of queries about OEM licences...

1) I thought you could only take an image of an OEM licenced XP for Backup purposes only - with the view to restore to the same PC?

2) Isn't WPA dependant on the Product ID as well as the License Key? (ie both must match?)

[torledo]

Erm.. just a couple of queries about OEM licences...

1) I thought you could only take an image of an OEM licenced XP for Backup purposes only - with the view to restore to the same PC?

2) Isn't WPA dependant on the Product ID as well as the License Key? (ie both must match?)

I can't answer those questions but I'd caution gainst imagin from an OEM because i'm sure there are issues like those you're asking about, also you have the additional issue of activation which doesn't exist with a volume license xp upgrade.

[SYNACK]

You could install your template computer then use sysprep to specify that the system must generate a new GUID and request the OEM key on the next boot. You then shut down the machine and image it. It should allow you to do what you are after.

[DMcCoy]

Not really. Ask your LEA if they have a purchasing arrangement with Microsoft or one of its partners. In Lancashire we can buy all software with VLK where applicable for the same price as OEM.

All except windows, so while you may have a VLK, its really for Windows *upgrade*. Base machines will still need FPP or OEM windows licenses. Not that you need to use the keys.

I've always been of the opinion that if I have the correct number and type of licenses then I will always use a VLK.

It all gets a bit more complicated with Vista, but activation can take place after imageing - keep an eye out for SP3 for XP, activation changes so its like vista, activate after its been running for up to 30 days IIRC.

[mmoseley]

Thanks for the advice chaps,

I work for a private "fee paying" school, so we dont run under an LEAso we have to buy everything we want bascially! and as far as my boss is concerened then why should we pay for a VLK when they already work with a restore disk - Which i agree with but not good for quickness of machine prep on failure!

[dhicks]

> Ask your LEA if they have a purchasing arrangement with Microsoft
> or one of its partners. In Lancashire we can buy all software with VLK
> where applicable for the same price as OEM.

Ah - private school, no LEA.

--
David Hicks

[torledo]

Not really. Ask your LEA if they have a purchasing arrangement with Microsoft or one of its partners. In Lancashire we can buy all software with VLK where applicable for the same price as OEM.

All except windows, so while you may have a VLK, its really for Windows *upgrade*. Base machines will still need FPP or OEM windows licenses. Not that you need to use the keys.

I've always been of the opinion that if I have the correct number and type of licenses then I will always use a VLK.

It all gets a bit more complicated with Vista, but activation can take place after imageing - keep an eye out for SP3 for XP, activation changes so its like vista, activate after its been running for up to 30 days IIRC.

Which isn't a problem as virtually all PC's shipped shipped since 2002 have XP OEM preinstalled. And OEM's still continue to ship models with XP and that is now extedned into the middle of next year.

Vista now requires connection to an internet server to validate/activate volume license Vista upgrades. With XP upgrade VLicenses Previously it was left up to your LEA to tell Microsoft which machines the software was to be installed on. So you'd fax the info to them and they'd no doubt fax it onto MS or keep it for their own records (whatever the process was). That's no longer the case with Vista, although I''m not clear on the specifics.