Installing XP OEM with a Retail key or Retail with an OEM Key

Well, after almost about two months, i finally got a chance to write a small post...

Last week I got a computer to install XP on it. But the XP CD was missing. I had only the box with the CD key. Eventhough I had XP Home OEM versions I could not use them since they do not accept retail version keys. I had to dig a little deep to find a way to install that. And finally it worked.

It is a very easy edit, yet not something that is guaranteed to work.

Windows identifies its version from a configuration file called setupp.ini (path : [CD DRIVE]:\i386\SETUPP.INI). It has the version information and the information about the key it accepts.

a sample setupp.ini would look like,

[PID]
ExtraData=707A667567736F696F697911AE7E05
Pid=55034000

I dont know what 'ExtraData' field would do, but what we need is the second part. The field called PID. The first 5 digits of the PID identifies the version information together with the CD release information. The next 3 characters tells the installer what keys to be accepted.
Retail versions has last 3 characters 000, and
OEM versions has those 3 characters OEM, whereas
Volume licence keys will be accepted as 270
(more information on the bottom)

So all you have to do is to change those values to mach with the CD and the key you are using. For instance, If you are using a retail CD, you might have a PID similar to
Pid=55034000.
So if you want to use an OEM key with that change tha last 3 chars
Pid=55034OEM

easy huh?

Well, First off, It did work for me fine. And also I had no problem activating XP via phone. But there might be problems activating online (as some suggested,) And for some reason the second disk I tries did not work. They had different PIDs.

And Some have mentioned that newer versions check the CDs volume label too and will decline the key if an invalid volume label was found. So change the volume label too in case.

And also, If you are wondering how the hell are you going to change a file in a CD, here's how you do it.
1. Copy all the files in the CD to a folder (say, for instance C:/XPCD)
2. Change the setupp.ini file as I mentioned,
3. Use nlite to make a CD Image from that folder.
Start (first download and install,) Nlite,
Select the folder that you created,
Choose the last step when it asks for what to do, "Make a bootable ISO"
Make the ISO, and burn it into a disk.

It took me somtime to collect these information. Hopefully the next person wont have to spend that much time....!! And please, if you try this, please comment your experience, Did it work or not?? that will help others.

______________________________________________________________
A complete (well, may be not complete,) list of PID values.

Edition	Volume Label	File Date	MPC	CID
Windows XP Combo Home/Pro	WXPHFPP_EN	23-08-01 1:00
Windows XP Home Retail	WXHFPP_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55277	000
Windows XP Home Retail SP1	XRMHFPP_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55277	000
Windows XP Home Retail SP1a	X1AHFPP_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55277	000
Windows XP Home Retail SP2	VRMHFPP_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55277	000
Windows XP Home Upgrade	WXHCCP_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55285	000
Windows XP Home Upgrade SP1	XRMHCCP_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55285	000
Windows XP Home Upgrade SP1a	X1AHCCP_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55285	000
Windows XP Home Upgrade SP2	VRMHCCP_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55285	000
Windows XP Home OEM	WXHOEM_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55277	OEM
Windows XP Home OEM SP1	XRMHOEM_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55277	OEM
Windows XP Home OEM SP1a	X1AHOEM_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55277	OEM
Windows XP Home OEM SP2	VRMHOEM_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55277	OEM
Windows XP Home OEM SP2	VRMHOEM_EN	4-08-04 12:00	76477	OEM
Windows XP Home Volume	WXHVOL_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Home Volume SP1	XRMHVOL_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Home Volume SP1a	X1AHVOL_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Home Volume SP2	VRMHVOL_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Home (SP2) DELL System Install	XP2_PER_ENG
Windows XP Pro (SP2) DELL System Install	XP2_PRO_ENG
Windows XP Pro Retail	WXPFPP_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Retail SP1	XRMPFPP_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Retail SP1a	X1APFPP_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Retail SP2	VRMPFPP_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Retail SP2	VX2PFPP_EN	28-02-2006 5:00AM	76487	000
Windows XP Pro Upgrade	WXPCCP_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55276	000
Windows XP Pro Upgrade SP1	XRMPCCP_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55276	000
Windows XP Pro Upgrade SP1a	X1APCCP_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55276	000
Windows XP Pro Academic Upgrade SP1	X1APCCP_EN	31-03-03 23:00	55276	000
Windows XP Pro Upgrade SP2	VRMPCCP_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55276	000
Windows XP Pro Academic Upgrade SP2	VRMPCCP_EN	4-08-04 23:00	76488	000
Windows XP Pro OEM	WXPOEM_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55274	OEM
Windows XP Pro OEM SP1	XRMPOEM_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55274	OEM
Windows XP Pro OEM SP1a	X1APOEM_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55274	OEM
Windows XP Pro OEM SP2	VRMPOEM_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55274	OEM
Windows XP Pro Volume	WXPVOL_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Pro Volume SP1	XRMPVOL_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Pro Volume SP1a	X1APVOL_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Pro Volume SP2	VRMPVOL_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55274	270
Windows XP Pro Tablet PC SP1 Disc 1	XRMPFPP_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Tablet PC SP1a Disc 1	X1APFPP_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Tablet PC SP2 Disc 1	VRMPFPP_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro MSDN	WXPFPP_EN	23-08-01 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro MSDN SP1	XRMPFPP_EN	29-08-02 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro MSDN SP1a	X1APFPP_EN	31-03-03 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro MSDN SP2	VRMPFPP_EN	4-08-04 8:00	55274	000
Windows XP Pro Evaluation	WXPEVL_EN

Note: these Channel IDs (CIDs) were taken from i386\SETUPP.INI. Windows Setup may generate a completely different Product ID than you see here; this is soley based on your product key.

LINKS..!!!

Thanx longtex - (http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=241664&start=0)
Thanx usankyen - (http://www.thetechguide.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t14137.html)
and
http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Product_IDs

Intel retailedge - Y510 is 2.0GHz

So I sent a mail to retailedge support team, asking why the site state that the Y510 with T5750 is running at 1.83GHz, and why dont we have a Penryn this time. Here was the reply (including the original mail i sent).

"Hello *******,

Thank you for contacting the Intel(R) Retail Edge Program team.

We sincerely apologize for the delay in responding. For the upcoming Big Deal Lenovo* laptop, the included card does not support Wireless N. However, you are correct that it should have been 2GHZ rather then 1.83GHZ. This information has been updated on the site.

In regards to your final question, while this specific model is not Penryn based, I have forwarded your request on to Program management for consideration in future promotions.


Regards,

Corey S.
The Intel(R) Retail Edge Program team
www.intel.com/retailedge

Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

*Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.



<===== Received from ******************* ======>

Program Member Info:

Email: ******************
Name:***********
Chain: ***********
Store Number: *********


Program Member Message:
Hi, the Y510 laptop specification says that it Runs at 1.83GHz. But the Intel site says that T5750 is clocked at 2.0GHz....
Which is true? or is it underclocked????

Also, We had so much hope for a penryn this time..!!!!! cant you guys do anything to make that laptop a penryn???
because at newegg, the laptop with T5550 is only 100$ less than the one with T8100(yeah im talking about Y510). So even if the laptop was 100$ more, We definitely pay that for a penryn!!!!!!

please........!!!!
{ See Attached File: history.html }


IMPORTANT NOTE IF YOU REPLY TO THIS EMAIL: Please perform a reply with history so that the following identifier "[THREAD_ID:11985818]" is seen in your response email. This will ensure that your reply is delivered to the proper support team at Intel and will reduce the time it takes to receive a response. Thank you."

Well, did you see anything funny??? (besides that they are 'going to consider' giving a penryn next time when they will have released the new nehalem)??

if not, the reply has somthing about wireless N. But I never mention anything about wireless in my mail. They must be tired (possibly exhausted) with emails...!!!

NVIDIA, Not bluffing after all.. huh!!

A couple of months ago, Nvidia CEO fired up a surprise attack on Intel saying that the age of faster CPU is over with new heterogeneous computer architectures. His stated that the end-user can get better performance with a high-end graphics card than with (even) a lower end processor. He supported his argument stating that Nvidia CUDA platform will make use of GPU as a multitasking processor, with faster 3D, 2D image processing capabilities. In other words, PCs with CUDA enabled graphics card, will be able to run normal (That has to be more specific though) applications (written with CUDA platform,) from their GPU!!!.

Well, that is infact, an awesome approach to make use of lost GPU cycles of a PC. But Jen-Hsun's (Nvidia's president) argument fired back at them, when Intel said that it is GPU, in the verge of extinction!!. And that in fact has some credibility, since both Intel and AMD will be integrating better graphics processors in to the CPU die, and most non-gamers, which accounts to more than 80% of the PC market, will be happy with those integrated graphics chips.

But last week, Nvidia announced their new heterogeneous computing platform, 'TEGRA'. A new mobile chipset designed for sophisticated mobile devices with capabilities of a full blown PC. This chip includes a Processor, Geforce GPU, HD Video chip, Image processor, and other IO chips, ALL IN A SINGLE DIE...!!. And only using 100mW at idle, this directly competes with Intel's Atom, which has a power range of 110mW-220mW, just for the CPU. And Tegra 650 (Tegra is initially announced with three chips. APX2500, Tegra 600 and 650. Whereas APX2500 was the launch model) boasts a plethora of features, Output video support up to 1080p with HDMI, 1080p h.264 decoding and 720p h.264 encoding, OpenGL2.0 support and upto 12MP camera support will give manufacturers to integrate full HD cameras (w/Video) to their new Tegra based mobile devices.

All in all, Nvidia seems to be working towards it's 'Heterogeneous Computing' solutions. And the launch of Tegra, and their participation in VIA's isiah nano launch, seems to be a direct punch in the face for Intel, who just introduced their Atom platform.

For now, everyone have their own views with these new technologies. But after the launch of iPhone (and possibly iPhone 3G,) the devices based on these chipsets will provide handhelds with 'real' high-end capabilities and 'i' comparable look and feel (you know what I mean!), without sacrificing performance. And this newyear holiday season is going to filled with surprices.

Intel retailedge 2008 - thwarted hopes..!!

Well, all Retailedge members must have been thinking about great new stuff with the announcement of the **NEW** Intel Retailedge program. Everyone was exited to hear about two purchase programs and the inclusion of "Centrino platform", or in other words a laptop, to the event.

First, blowing out everyone's hopes, they announced two old kentsfield extreme series processors when the new yorkfield processors were sold at pretty much the same prices(infact, QX9650 is 5$ cheaper than QX6850 at newegg), yet we thought it is ok, since for 240$ that is a steal.
Then, On BIG June 2, here they reveal the specs of the Y510 laptop, in which everyone was hoping to see a penryn. But alas! it is just a crappy napa core-T5750 (Sorry, intel. but we are really disappointed), to add to the disappointment, the site states that processor is clocked at 1.83GHz (the original specs of T5750 is 2.0GHz, underclocked, maybe????). Yeah, Y510 is an awesome laptop. But with embedded graphics, and with the model with a penryn processor being less than 100$ more retail, We are not happy at all.

And thats not all. The store feature and the summer draw are great. But if you have to spend 20000 chips to get a leatherman "FUSE" tool, when most of the people actually have only around 15000-17500 chips accumulated over 6 months, That does not seem to be a good deal as well.


All in all, I would say Intel has thwarted our hopes. Lets wait for the November purchase program to get the Penryn!!!!.

Oh btw, How many chips you people have??? I have 20275.... pls comment.

Web browsers. The Fastest and The Best.

Yesterday, I was going through my stat counter and was surprised to see actually how many people still use Internet Explorer 6.0. And there were couple of people using 'Camino', which is the Mac version of Mozilla. So I ran a quick check on Mac's native safari, and the reviews came out to be pretty impressive. Even though I am not a apple fan, a fast and most importantly an 'accurate' web browser is not something that I can reject. So after a couple of minutes, here I was, starring at apple website(yeah, safari's home page is apple.com). And also, a couple of weeks ago I installed Opera 9.27 following a comment from Om Malik of GigaOm network stating that it is a faster browser.

So, after all, I had the 4 most popular web browsers asking "Do you like to make ......... your default browser?" all the time! So which one am I going to choose????

Let's see.

The user expects a several things from a browser.

1. Speed
   
2. Accurate display (you dont want everything to be a mess, with half lines and overlapping..etc)
3. Low resource usage.
4. Features (everything from tabbed browsing to IM and IRC support)

I found some great tools for web browser benchmarking and for now, I will just take a look at the first two points, the speed and accuracy. And since the system configuration can change the results, here is my test system configuration if you want to compare.

• Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2 32bit(I have installed some critical updates but not all)
• Intel Core2Quad Q6700 (2.66GHz)
• 2GB DDR2 @ 667MHz
• Maxtor 320GB SATAII 16MB cache
  
• 8800GTS 512MB GDDR3
  

Almost all the pages in the web today uses CSS. So rendering and downloading speed of CSS based web pages is a very important factor. To benchmark these settings, I used the CSS benchmark from howtocreate.co.uk. The results were quite surprising.


Yes, It is surprising, And that is something that steve jobs worshipers can brag for years saying "Steve jobs said that, apples are superior because Safari is from apple". Well Safari really do kick butt here...! Or does it???

I had to digg a little bit to find the truth. These tests are based on documents onLoad() event that occurs after completely displaying a web page. So the page calculates the time between start and onLoad() event and takes that as the time to display the whole page. But what Safari does, is trigger the onLoad event as soon as it starts displaying. So actually, it will still keep loading the page even after the onLoad event. OH!!!!!! is apple cheating???? well, it is half true. Because steve jobs publicly benchmarked IE and Safari based on this method and said Safari "rules" (not exactly his words :D) but they knew that is not true(Safari is faster than IE but not from a big margin as benchmarks say). In the other hand, safari actually uses a different approach for rendering so there is nothing wrong with firing onLoad event early (You can read the full article about safari and bechmarking here).

So, moving to the next test from Sun, what this measures is the JavaScript evaluation speed of the browser. Like CSS, most web sites uses JavaScript as a main scripting language, hence this too can be considered as an integral part of a browser benchmarking collection.



Here, the clear winner is Firefox 3 (Release candidate 1). New Safari and Opera comes close leaving Microsoft to re-walk their new to-be-released Internet Explorer 8(beta 1). And if you are using either IE7 or IE6, yes, bang your head on the wall and download another browser before you read the next!!!!!

Yes, this is the part that Internet Explorer sucks by all means. It is the Acid3 standards compliance test. This talks about accuracy of a browser (that's my opinion. Some might say Microsoft can do whatever they want because they have the biggest market share, here's my answer). It test how good the browser handle web pages according to web standards. When you open a web page, If you see scattered borders or gibberish text, that is because the browsers does not comply with web standards 100%.

And if you are not familiar with ACID3, it is a test where the browser is given specific instructions and see how many of them, can the browser handle correctly. The tests are divided into 6 areas and are shown with 6 boxes. ACID3 is written extensively hard that actually no web browser has passed the test yet.(Some browsers has got internal versions -Opera, IE8, Safari- that gets 100% but does not pass the smoothness test.) You can read more about ACID3 here and test your browser here.

IE6

IE7

IE8

Opera 9.27

Firefox 2.0

Firefox 3RC1

Safari 3.1

Opera 9.5b

And this the way that actually all the browsers are 'supposed' to display the image.

Fastest flash drives.

A couple of weeks ago I was answering the above question on eggXpert forum. (which you can read here) I answered that because a person who had very high ranking on the forum was saying that all the flash drives work at the same speed. IF YOU EVER HAD a flash drive, you know what a bullshit that is...!!! then here was another guy telling his flash drive which is A-Data PD7 has the fastest data rate and asking the readers to google it up, which brings up his blog!!!!!! any way, 24MBps is not bad. But I decided to put up some information and benchmark results I found, so that any one looking for a fast flash drive can have some idea. (these data is found here)

So lets just see what I found
Note : if you have any more data, please submit as a comment. It will really help anyone reading this. Specially if you have a benchmarking result

Higher numbers means better performance.

The chart shows the differences between the speeds very clearly. The tiny sandisk lagging far behind can be explained because it is made to be small, rather than to be fast. And the corsair survivor has a huge 32GB capasity, but does not offer as much speed. And the corsair 2GB voyager falls in the middle whereas it's 4GB version leads the competition. My flash drive, Patriot XT, has the best burst transfer rate, but as a brand, Corsair, Lexar, Kingston and Sandisk can be said better.

And if you take a look at the seek times,

lower times are better
Well, the differences are suppressed by the Sandisk cruzer mini, which has a ridiculous access time.

And the CPU usage heavily depend on the CPU and memory

The patriot leads because I have a quad core processor.

So here is my HDTunes screen capture,
Patriot Xporter XT 4GB

You can view the spread sheet here,
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=ptpmWkem-m1sMciJEWQkYaA
you also can submit your data.

Turn on, browse web. Nothing in between.

Have you ever (or haven't you always, to be precise) turned on your computer wanting to check your mail, read some news or just browse internet, and wondered if you can just turn it on like a TV and do those things????? I have. and i bet almost every one of you have. It is just a pain in the butt to wait for the computer with all other software to boot-up, just to browse internet.
Well, last year asus introduced a linux OS embedded right in-to the motherboard, which will kick in as soon as you hit the power button of the computer. But the problem was that you had to spend a quite a bit of a fortune to get such a motherboard like p5E3 deluxe (300$!!!). So yeah, that was definitely not for the average user, who actually is going to use that feature a lot.

But here comes the best part. Asus just announced that they will be incorporating Splashtop( or express-gate as Asus call it,) in all their mainstream motherboards, giving the budget customers the ability to use their computers just as web browsers when they want, without having to wait and without worrying about power consumption......read the full news here.