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I just deleted all my partitions, did a full format, and installed XP from my OEM Dell CD.

Not that I'm complaining, but I thought it was unusual that it NEVER asked for my XP key.

I know that I don't have any hidden partitions.

I installed all the SP2 critical updates. I just manually checked Windows activation using the command prompt "oobe/msoobe /a" and it said t was already activated.

That's never happened before.

Could that be due to the fact that I installed Windows Genuine pain in the A($$)dvantage tool? Still, I always used to get hit with a key request when I first started the installation. Not this time however.

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I kind of ran into the same thing last week. Just started to reload a Dell. It asked for the key and I discovered that 2 keys on the keyboard didn't work, so I canceled the install. After getting another keyboard and trying again, it never asked for it. Talked to the lady the other day and she hasn't had any issues.

Mark

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That is odd. I really wish I knew how that could happen.

I have never seen this happen either - most times, you need a key and they ask you to activate - maybe with an OEM machine you don't have to on the subsequent installs........strange.....

Let me know if you find anything out as to why this happened......would be interested in it ;)

Brian

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Usually the OEM Key is already installed on the motherboard of a name brand machine. If you use the right OEM CD it will always go through without activation needed. I have seen this with both Dell and HP/Compact PCs

I have a Dell Test machine that I never have to go through the activation process with. Just reformat and go.

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Usually the OEM Key is already installed on the motherboard of a name brand machine. If you use the right OEM CD it will always go through without activation needed. I have seen this with both Dell and HP/Compact PCs

I have a Dell Test machine that I never have to go through the activation process with. Just reformat and go.

That was my guess, but why one time and not the other?

Mark

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That's weird cause my old HP laptop required the CD-Key when I reinstalled on it but I can't remember if I had to activate or not.

For me what was strange was I was able to make XP Home SP2 activate on a PC (white box) over the internet using the Key from another PC (HP, Home SP1) without any trouble. Usually I had to call M$ and explain to them what I was doing (using SP2 CD with SP1 key, usually on the same computer as the key but since the PC the key was on was dead, I used it for another PC) and get the activation code from them.

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