Subj : Win2K SP2 Install "Proble
To   : MIKE POWELL
From : Digital Man
Date : Sun Aug 21 2005 10:20 am

  Re: Win2K SP2 Install "Proble
  By: MIKE POWELL to ALL on Sat Aug 20 2005 07:47 pm

 > I have a slight problem, and I was wondering if anyone knew of a work-around
 > 
 > I recently found a cheap box of mostly old software at a rummage sale.  Most
 > of it is junk, but there was included a Dell "Operating System Reinstallatio
 > CD W2K+SP2."  I decided to attempt to install this on a spare PC that is not
 > a Dell.
 > 
 > Apparently, the Dell CD contains code that detects the machine is not a Dell
 > and will not allow the software to be installed.  I also tried writing
 > boot diskettes, and the diskettes also are able to tell the machine is not
 > a Dell.
 > 
 > The HD currently has Win98SE on it... would wiping out the HD help, or is th
 > code detecting (or not detecting) something else about the machine?  If so,
 > is there any way around that "verification check"?

The verification is of the GUID (globally unique identifier) which is stored in
the SMBIOS (system management basic input output system) table, which cannot be
changed. If there's a way to bypass this verification check, I don't know it.

                                                  digital man

Snapple "Real Fact" #54:
The average smell weighs 760 nanograms.

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