I'm fixing a computer for someone and I'm stumped. He was given a restore cd made by the computer chain he baught it from. Looking at the i386\unattend.txt file the "productkey" value isn't the XP serial that's on the sticker on his pc. A quick google of the whole key shows that it's widely known as a serial to use on tons of torrent sites... What's going on here legally? This guy has given them hundreds of dolars to repair the pc MULTIPLE times and is still having issues with it. I believe he is being gouged and I'm amazed that a national (and very well known in Canada) chain would do this? First question: Can you confirm that's indeed where the product key is entered? I'm pretty sure thats where / how you put it in the answer file.. Second, how would you guys approach this? Thanks a milion!

I'd like to add they sell the restore cd's to the computers they sell for about $100

The key on the system or the restore disk don't match on most OEM, Dell,Gateway,HP The OS on most restore disk is locked to the hard ware so it can't be use on a differt model of PC. And in most cases you don't have to activeate with MS. after doing a restore. The sticker on the case is just prof that you have a WGA os.

That kind of makes sense but, I dont know that MS would go with this because it defeats the purpose of everyone having an individual key doesn't it? So those keys on the restore cd's since they'd be all the same, what if they get leaked and MS decides to phase them out? There go your updates? I dont know, like I said, your answer makes sense but I must be missing a point here?

MS's licensing is very convoluted. The product key could be anywhere. The key you describe could be a VLA key (volume license agreement). There's no telling from this side. Run an app called keyfinder to see what his current key is. Google it (keyfinder download). I'd be surprised if the big chain you describe is doing anything illegal. www.computerselfdefense.com

Sounds good, I'll run it and update my post :)

The product key on the CD will not allow you to activate. It is simply there for unattended installations where the end user activates after purchase.