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Thread: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

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    Exclamation Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    Hi,

    I have just recently purchased a new intel aluminum imac as well as parallels 3.0 for mac.

    My old pc had windows xp pro on it, and as i was going to buy a full copy of vista premium for mum mum to use on the old pc, i thought it would be fine if i un-installed and then reinstalled my xp onto my mac in either parallels or bootcamp.

    Now i've had my pc for years, so most of my boxes and packaging have gone walkabout.

    I had my xp pro cd, i had the installation code, it was all going well until it asks me for an activation code? I haven't reinstaled xp for ages so i had totally forgotten about that stupid thing.

    I know i can ring microsoft support to get another activation code but as it is christmas and boxing day tomorrow and they are closed on public holidays, i'm stuck till this friday. Normally not much of an issue but i just got a whole bunch of games and i want to play them!!

    Is there anything i can do? I really want to play my games NOW! lol

    Thanks in advance,

    Tara

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    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    you are not licensed to move an OEM windows XP from one machine (your old pc) to a new one (the mac)

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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    I think what you are looking for is the product key, and not the activation code, take a look at the side/bottom/back of your old pc (the one you have taken xp off) and you may find it there. That's where many system builders attach the product key sticker.

    If the version of xp you have is retail, then you will have no problem getting a new activation code when you go online (if there are any problems, then a phone call normally sorts it), it will ask if it can do so. However, if the disk you have is oem, then technically (and according to the eula) you can't transfer the os from one machine to another.

    If it just the activation code you need (and for some reason you can't activate online), then you have no real problem, as you can use the machine for up to 30 days before activationg the os. So just install it, play your games and after the xmas/ny madness give them a call and get it sorted.

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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    It's a retail version.

    and yes sorry it is a product key i need. It's asking for the product key to be entered.

    Where would i find/replace this if it isn't on my pc. We have one on there but i believe it is the old me one that came with the computer. I'm not sure. I'll try it and see what happens though.

    we had ME on the old pc for a little while and that was the os that came with the computer, then dad bought a copy of winxp pro and we installed that.

    When im in setup mode i've gotten to the enter product key screen section but i don't see an option to trial it for 30 days?

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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit

    This should extract the product key for you, just install and run it on your old PC and it'll show up what the product key is.

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    This is bunny and friends. He is fed up waiting for everyone to help him out, and decided to help himself instead!

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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    It's a retail version.

    and yes sorry it is a product key i need. It's asking for the product key to be entered.

    Where would i find/replace this if it isn't on my pc. We have one on there but i believe it is the old me one that came with the computer. I'm not sure. I'll try it and see what happens though.

    we had ME on the old pc for a little while and that was the os that came with the computer, then dad bought a copy of winxp pro and we installed that.

    When im in setup mode i've gotten to the enter product key screen section but i don't see an option to trial it for 30 days?

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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    lucio - thanks i'll give that a go

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    Re: Windows Activation in Parallels/Bootcamp?

    [QUOTE=tdesigns;1296179When im in setup mode i've gotten to the enter product key screen section but i don't see an option to trial it for 30 days?[/QUOTE]

    Hi,

    You need the product key to install windows (as you've already discovered).

    It's not a trial as such, it just gives you 30 days before you need to activate the os (either online, or by the phone No. on the pop up reminder), if you don't activate within this period, some of the functionality of the os is reduced until you do.

    This 30 days grace is useful, as it gives you time to get the pc setup as you want it, it may be that you have to re-install for some reason. If you're into overclocking it gives you 30 days to decide on how much extra you can get out of your cpu/gpu. If you had to validate the software immediately, then either of the two examples could mean that the os need to be validated again, as it see's it as a new pc.

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