VM Workstation - OEM WinXP

[calikool]

So I have two of my computers virtualized. However, they are now starting to fail the windows activation agents and I can't update them anymore. Most likely, A- they are OEM, and the virtualized hardware is different than the original equipment they are running on. Anyone else running into limitations of of creating new virtual machines using your existing OEM license?

Another problem I have ran into is when you are just installing the software on a virtual machine the, installation invalidates that the serial number being used is a good one. I don't understand how in thew world the installation can know that without phoning home. I'm done a new VM build with my physical NIC enabled and disabled and get the same result.

 

[Keiichi]

1. You can't use OEM licensed software for a VM

2. Depending on the media you are installing from, it checks the BIOS on the system. If it's one that's recognized then it plugs in the OEM's generic key.

 

[sabregen]

is this an OEM edition that came with a Compaq, Dell, etc? Or is this an OEM edition that was purchased (for system builders), and did not come with a computer?

 

[calikool]

This was an OEM windows xp copy purchased from Newegg.com. Systems builder edition. It did not come with a system.

It did work a few times but I think I had created enough VMs to make the license screwballed. A call to microsoft could alleviate the problem. After all I did have a legitimate system that uses the OEM license, but I virtualized the environment and can't get updates with it anymore.