Not to split hairs, but there _IS_ a difference between
the Windows Serial Number and the Product Key.

If Gary's client is trying to input a serial number
in the Product Key dialog box, then it will not work.

The Serial Number is generated AFTER Windows
is installed.  (Through past experimentation , I
confirmed that the Serial Number is a combination of
the Product Key plus something unique to the individual
PC.  I didn't go any deeper in my experiment. <g>.)

The Product Key is on the orange sticker
on the back of the CD case/sleeve.  Copying the
contents of the CD to a hard drive would not change
the Product Key.  Gary's client can still install Windows
from the hard drive using the Product Key on the CD case.

This is exactly how I do ALL my installs -- it really is a time saver
when you add new hardware......

Jim Meagher

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Wright" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 01, 2001 1:00 PM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Serial number


> At 05:15 PM 12/31/2000, gary r. tennesen wrote:
> >   A customer copies CD directory of cd d:\win98\*.* to c:\w98 in order
to
> >speed installation and a variety of other reasons.
> >
> >Customer runs c:\w98\setup months later when a re-installation of Windows
is
> >needed and cannot use his serial number.  My guess is that it wants THE
> >original serial number from before since about 10 serials have been tried
> >all stating that they are invalid while in fact, they are valid.
> >
> >The time I've seen this in the past, we've had to delete the entire
> >c:\Windows directory and reinstall.  Afterwards, any one of the other
serial
> >worked.
> >
> >Is there any other way around this?
>
> Yes...
>
> The serial number is listed in the SYSTEM.DAT file found in C:\windows
> and the key is:  PRODUCTKEY
>
> If windows is still functioning, use your Regedit and do search for:
>     PRODUCTKEY
>
> If windows has been corrupted and you cannot start it, then
> boot to a floppy disk and use EDIT.COM found on your bootdisk
> to search the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT file for the keyword:
>     PRODUCTKEY
>
> The serial number is there.
>
>      Bob Wright
> The NOSPIN Group
>
>          PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
>                      visit our download web page at:
>                      http://nospin.com/pc/files.html
>

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