errandwolfe Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 I am currently running a dual boot laptop with Windows XP and Leo. If I boot directly into Windows it runs fine. The problem is if I start Leo and load Parallels and then start a VM using my existing Windows installation (i.e. BootCamp) then Windows comes up and forces me into activation when I log in. Now here is the odd part. If I am just in Windows (not running Parallels) I can check WGA and all that jazz and my Windows is valid and fully activated. When Parallels boots though as I said it forces me into activation and then it treats my XP CD key as invalid. If does not come back saying anything like the key has been used too many times, it just will not accept it. Unfortunately my Windows partition belongs to my corporate domain and this isn't exactly an approved activity with our laptops so I can't call help desk to double check the CD key. The only way I have of finding it is using the Windows Key Finder application. My laptop has a Vista key on it rather then XP, so I can't look there obviously. Does anyone have any ideas that could help me here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errandwolfe Posted December 26, 2007 Author Share Posted December 26, 2007 Bump...come on please, any ideas would be helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dainix Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 I presume hardware is emulated in Parallels. If that's the case, then it's because Windows will ask for reactivation when a portion of hardware changes from your old setup. Think of it like throwing the hard drive of an XP install into a new computer with different hardware. That will initiate XP to ask for reactivation. It's sort of difficult to explain, but hopefully this gives you an idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittyflipping Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 AFAIK Parallels is supposed to create a new hardware profile in XP, and automatically switch to this profile when booting XP in parallels. This should avoid your activation issues... as to why it's not doing that I'm not sure. I don't dual boot, myself, I just use XP in a VM, but the Parallels forums would probably be your best bet. You can also try creating the hardware profile yourself, when booted through parallels... but I would only try this as a last resort: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documen...e.mspx?mfr=true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
errandwolfe Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Unfortunately I think I have found out my problem. My XP CD Key is and OEM that appears to be tied to the Dell platform. So if I boot Windows straight out it works fine, but when Parallels first boots it forces the activation and it won't take the key because it is OEM I guess. If anyone know the location of a good VIRUS FREE XP Keygen application, could you please PM me privately. I think if I can get a good Corp or Pro key then I should be able to change the existing key and hopefully getting it working in Parallels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanparsons Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Following Hagars post, I've editted this, removing the name of the software. The software I suggested isn't really a crack, patch, keygen warez, etc, it's a tool which sits legitemately in the windows processes, but does allow circumvention of particular calls and can thus be used to break certain licensing regulations. It was born out of frustration and used by some network and IT managers of smaller midsize firms who have experienced problems from upgrades and do not have the time to be on the phone frequently with OS's which don't behave as advertised. If anyone wants to know more, I'm available via PM. DSP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagar Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Please folks, even with the bast of intentions on legal software, no cracks warez or keygens on this forum. It's probably no help, but I've given up on parallels & use vmware fusion instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahwahman89 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Man... Windows sucks. Microsoft have created zilch support for virualisation in their Windows operating systems... In fact, read some Vista EULAs. They class it as breach of agreement if you install Vista in Parallels/VMWare. Stupid. Anyway here's an idea. You can find out your product key using a very simple program available here: http://www.petri.co.il/quickly_retrieve_windows_cd_key.htm. Then you can use the key chucked out of that to check it however you know (cos I don't!). I think the key itself is fine, you just can't use it in Parallels. Mind you, did you think of giving VMWare a try just to check whether there is any difference? I'll finish on an end note. Windows sucks. Best of luck dude. Please folks, even with the bast of intentions on legal software, no cracks warez or keygens on this forum. It's probably no help, but I've given up on parallels & use vmware fusion instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanparsons Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 FWIW, M$ have apparently backtracked again on virtualizing Vista. It has always been in the EULA for Business and Ultimate, and for about a week it was OK for other versions. Then the first backtrack came, no VM for 'low end' versions. Last week they re-cindered that and it's OK again... but don't get too excited, they may yet change their mind again! DSP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxy Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 get a wpa crack from the net ......use msconfig to boot in safe mode.......run the crack and u cracked the activation and u can update windows....always use the crack in safe mode when u install a service pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colonel Posted February 2, 2008 Share Posted February 2, 2008 FWIW, M$ have apparently backtracked again on virtualizing Vista. It has always been in the EULA for Business and Ultimate, and for about a week it was OK for other versions. Then the first backtrack came, no VM for 'low end' versions. Last week they re-cindered that and it's OK again... but don't get too excited, they may yet change their mind again! DSP "For consumers, Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Home Premium are now licensed for use in a virtual machine environment." http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080...ban-lifted.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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