leoliver wrote:
> I have my original Dell WinXP Sp1a reinstall disk, that was
> shipped with my computer , that already had Windows XP Pro
> installed. And the product key is found on a sticker on my
> computer's case. When I recently used the nlite program, to
> slipstream my original install disk, with the SP3 update , I
> noticed that nlite displayed a different product key number, for
> the slipstreamed build. Which brings me to ask, if I should
> manually input the original product
> key into the slipstreamed build , or does each progressive service
> pack update have a different product key number , than prior
> service pack builds ?
>
> This is very impotent , because if a incorrect product key number
> is inputed into the slipstream build , it would fail to reinstall
> Windows when needed.

Slipstreaming a service pack into a given CD should not change the product
key for that CD.

There are known issues with performing a slipstream process (SP3 in
particular) on a Windows Vista machine for a Windows XP CD. My suggestion -
don't do it. Stick to using a Windows XP machine when slipstreaming a
service pack (or the other updates) into a Windows XP installation medium.

More simplified explanation... You start with an original Windows XP RTM
(Gold) version. Sold on the first day Windows XP was ever available to the
public.

- If you make a slipstream copy with SP1a using that CD - it still uses the
same product key it did before.
- If you make a slipstream copy with SP2 using that CD - it still uses the
same product key it did before.
- If you make a slipstream copy with SP2 and all the post-SP2 patches up
until SP3 (non-inclusive) using that CD - it still uses the same product key
it did before.
- If you make a slipstream copy with SP3 using that CD - it still uses the
same product key it did before.

The real question is how you ever saw a product key in the first place if
you were not installing at the time.

There is no connection (other than license type - OEM, VLK, Retail, Upgrade)
between the CD and the product key. The product key is not stored on the
media (unless it is written on the outside via marker or put in a winnt.sif
or unattended.txt fiule or manually put there some other way) - so for you
to have seen a product key at all - that CD would have to have been
previously modified (made into an unattended CD or a text file placed on it
so someone could remember the product key to input without searching for a
sticker/piece of paper, etc.)

Do not mistake Product ID with Product Key. The latter is used when
installing Windows XP. The former is generated partially based on the
hardware installed in the machine.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html