Install W2K with OEM CD on other system

[Ruthenius]

I bought a Dell system with W2K. I now have it running on Linux, and would like to install W2K on my laptop instead.

My problem is that as soon as I boot from the CD, the system stops and displays "This software is licensed for use on Dell computer systems only."

Is there a way around this?

 

[butchrecon]

It is in a script Dell uses for their install to disallow the use of the Media on another machine. If on the restore CD you can find the \i386 folder you can ATTEMPT to install from there. But be warned it may not work. The script usually resides in the install directory and is difficult to bypass. If you copy the \i386 folder to the Hard Drive and can find and delete the script this might work. I admit I have never tested that. James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[pbxman]

Ruthenius,

There is a file that is included on DELL OEM cd's that will not allow you to install it unless the BIOS matches Dell's.

There is a way around this, but it requires some Hex-editing.
Here's the info another user posted..and I've actually done this, and can vouch for the fact that it works. I use Dell, and have done this many times.

""If you have a hex editor follow these instructions:

1) start the hex editor and load "bchk32.exe"
2) goto offset/location 1F92 (hex) or 8082 (decimal)
3) you should see "---" displayed at this location, change it to "+++"
4) save the edited file using the original name

If you don't have a hex editor, you can download one form just about anywhere, I like UltraEdit-32. Its time limited for 45 days but is fully functional until then and with a little searching you should be able to find a serial number for it. I'm still looking for the seial number myself. You can D/L UltraEdit from http:\\

http://www.ultraedit.com.

If you don't want to go the hex editor route, just replace your bchk32.exe file with the attached one that has already been edited, this option may only work on Dell systems. ""


You need to burn another copy of the Dell disk, and include the edited bchk32.exe on it in order for it to work. Deleting the file will not work. The bchk32.exe is in the \i386 folder on the disk.

Thats all you need to do..
Good Luck! Please let Tek-Tips members know their posts were helpful. Thanks!

Pbxman
Systems Administrator

 

[Ruthenius]

Well, the solution proposed by pbxman worked for starting the install program from my current version of Windows, but when I try to boot from the CD-ROM directly, as the installation later calls for, I get stopped with the same message.

is there another file that I need to modify to get past this?

 

[pbxman]

You created another disk for installation with the modified file, right? Basically, you cannot use the OEM disk at all...you must use the burned copy with the edit in it.

Is that what you did? Please let Tek-Tips members know their posts were helpful. Thanks!

Pbxman
Systems Administrator

 

[Ruthenius]

Yep, I used the burned CD, and it still won't go.

Is there any other file I should check?

Thx for the quick response

 

[pbxman]

Wait - did you say you upgraded from Windows? The CD is not an upgrade, and must be installed from scratch (boot to cd, and run a clean install from there).

If you did that, and it still does not work - you've hit a limitation i am not aware of. That was never an issue I or my friends have had with the Dell CD.

Again - I am not strictly guessing..I have actually performed this task many times without any trouble whatsoever..but each time I did, I started completely from scratch.

If you've done all these things - i'll try to find out more info. What BIOS do you have? Please let Tek-Tips members know their posts were helpful. Thanks!

Pbxman
Systems Administrator

 

[Ruthenius]

I have tried to boot directly from the CD-ROM (which is what I'd prefer to do), to no avail.

Even if I try to upgrade from the other version of Windows, it tries to boot up from the CD at one point, and I get the message again.

Here are the first ten lines from the file Biosinfo.inf in the i386 directory:

>;
>; BIOSINFO.INF
>;
>; Copyright (c) 1998, Microsoft Corporation
>;
>
>[Version]
>Signature="$CHICAGO$"
>Provider=%MSFT%
>DriverVer=11/14/1999,5.00.2183.1


Hope this helps.

 

[pbxman]

AHA! I got it!

The setupldr.bin file is also scanned after the reboot. Post your email, and i'll send you the file you need. You'll have to make another CD, but it'll work after that.

The only way you'd need this is if you didn't have a Phoenix BIOS. Since my friends and I have a Phoenix BIOS, this file is unimportant to us..but all you AWARD BIOS guy's (and other types) need it.

Please let Tek-Tips members know their posts were helpful. Thanks!

Pbxman
Systems Administrator

 

[Ruthenius]

Here is the e-mail: carboniz2001@yahoo.com

Thanks!