Volume licence ativation key

[laserblazer]

We've just got a load of new computers with a Vista licence but downgraded to XP. I'm in the process of creating a Ghost image but there is no record of the XP activation key because it has a Vista licence label. If I find the key to one of the machine, is it ok to use that on all of the others in the same way as if it were a volume licence? This is probably a hypothetical question as I've started from scratch using an existing volume licence XP disk. As I see it, I have a valid XP licence for each machine so it shouldn't matter what key I use to install it.

[eejit]

I contacted Microsoft about this before and yes, it doesn't matter what key you use as long as the machine has a valid licence.

[PeterH]

If you have volume license XP Pro media, you should also have a volume license key if you have a SELECT agreement or other volume licensing agreement. Use the volume license key when creating the original Ghost image. Don't use the product key attached to the machine as you may have problems with product activation. The volume license copy of XP doesn't need to be activated as long as you use a volume license product key to install it.

 

As long as the machines are licensed for Vista Business, you can normally use downgrade rights to install XP Pro. Please note that this must be Vista Business, you can't downgrade Vista Home to XP Professional for example. But do check the terms of your volume license agreement first.

 

Peter

[laserblazer]

If you have volume license XP Pro media, you should also have a volume license key if you have a SELECT agreement or other volume licensing agreement. Use the volume license key when creating the original Ghost image. Don't use the product key attached to the machine as you may have problems with product activation. The volume license copy of XP doesn't need to be activated as long as you use a volume license product key to install it.

 

 

Peter

 

Apparently this is not the case with the likes of Dell and HP, I believe their systems have a non compatible licence key. My VLK doesn't work with them. As I said, it's a hypothetical question as I have reinstalled XP from my VL disk.

[crc-ict]

If you use a VL key, you would need to use a VL disc - no OEM disk or installation will work with a VL key