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Imaging Windows XP Pro PC's with OEM licenses RRS feed

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    Hi,
    I just bought 10 PC's each with Windows XP Pro OEM licenses. I have a bunch of software to load on each PC and I was wondering if I could load what I need onto 1 PC and copy that image onto the other 9.

    Would I violate the OEM license by doing so? All 10 PC's have the same hardware configuration and each has a Windows XP license key sticker on the bottom.

    Thanks for your help!
    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 3:58 PM

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    Hello DomDiva,

    Registering as a Microsoft Partner is free, and is good for a year; reregistration is also free, all you need to do is visit your profile page and verify that your info is up-to-date.

    As a registered partner you get invited to MS partner education events like TS2, and the Windows7 launch on Oct 22. 

    Downloading the OPK is free.  You can order a copy of it on CD from MS but I think they would charge a nominal fee for S&H.  All the other support at the partner/systembuilder website is free, too.
    For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
    • Marked as answer by DomDiva Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:04 PM
    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 6:56 PM

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    Hello DomDiva,

    The only Microsoft-support method for deploying images of OEM licenses for Windowws XP is the OEM Preinstallation Kit, OPK for short.

    Building an image and then just copying it to 10 computers will get you into hot water because Windows Product Activation and Windows Genuine Advantage will think you are trying to install one license for XP onto ten different computers, which of course is verboten :-)

    To find out how to download and use the OPK, go to www.microsoft.com/oem, sign up for a free membership as a Microsoft registered OEM partner, then download instructions on how to use the OPK and the OPK itself.  Here's the link which will work once you become a partner:  http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/OPK/default.mspx
    For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 5:21 PM
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    Dan,
    Thanks so much for your response. Do you know if the method you have suggested via the OPK costs anything or is it free of cost?

    Thanks!
    Dom
    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 6:18 PM
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    Hello DomDiva,

    Registering as a Microsoft Partner is free, and is good for a year; reregistration is also free, all you need to do is visit your profile page and verify that your info is up-to-date.

    As a registered partner you get invited to MS partner education events like TS2, and the Windows7 launch on Oct 22. 

    Downloading the OPK is free.  You can order a copy of it on CD from MS but I think they would charge a nominal fee for S&H.  All the other support at the partner/systembuilder website is free, too.
    For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
    • Marked as answer by DomDiva Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:04 PM
    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 6:56 PM
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    So I am guessing that the Master Image created using an OPK will ask for the OEM License key at the time of install (or EULA) at which point the valid license key on the computer's COA can be entered?


    Since the Master Image is made on from a PC with an OEM license, I am trying to understand how the other PC's that receive the image would have their own unique licenses.

    Or maybe my question is flawed in that I dont fully understand how OPK works.

    let me know what you think...


    Thanks for you help Dan!!!!!!
    • Marked as answer by DomDiva Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:04 PM
    • Unmarked as answer by DomDiva Wednesday, June 24, 2009 10:04 PM
    Wednesday, June 24, 2009 7:14 PM
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    Hello DomDiva,

    The OPK works like sysprep in that after the image is prepped, each image is stripped of its Global Unique ID and "re-armed" to generate a new one during the initial startup after imaging.  The end-user also inputs the PK on the CoA in the "Out Of Box Experience" during that first startup after imaging, and accepts the EULA, thus creating the unique license for that computer.
    For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
    Friday, June 26, 2009 12:22 PM