OEM keys have been different from retail/msdn keys since as far back as
Windows 95.

--
Josh Einstein (Tablet PC MVP)
Einstein Technologies
Tablet Enhancements for Outlook - Try it free: www.tabletoutlook.com


"terri" <terri@no.mvps.spam.org> wrote in message
news:OOC0nf2hHHA.4064@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> You could be right. It's been years since I've installed anything other
> than Windows Vista and Windows XP SP2 before that.
> --
> Terri Stratton
> Microsoft Featured Community
> http://thetabletpc.net
> Forums - http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
> Microsoft Windows MVP- Tablet PC
>
> "xTenn" <xTennREMOVETHISPART@tds.net> wrote in message
> news:uGzhXb1hHHA.5008@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> terri wrote:
>>> This isn't quite right. An XP product key is tied to a specific type of
>>> media. In other words, an MSDN copy requires an MSDN key, an OEM number
>>> requires an OEM disk and a retail key will only work with retail media.
>>> There may be some exceptions, but it's true as far as I've seen since
>>> release.
>>
>>
>> Actually I would have to agree with you for MSDN 2004 forward. Prior to
>> that I believe the keys were not unique between product families, IIRC.
>>
>> IF that is not the case I may learn something here.
>