Vista Clean Install with offline OEM activation

Disclaimer: I sincerely believe this guide to be on the legitimate side and I in no way support the use of this guide for purposes other than activating Vista on your Viste preinstalled Lenovo laptop!

I recently bought a T60 and although I’ve been reading these wonderfull forums/community for 6 months now I never needed to post as it’s a habit of mine to not post in forums unless I really can’t solve something or I have a suggestion/solution to something. This time it’s the latter and this will be my first post!

The first thing I did when I bought my T60 was to clean install Vista. I suppose everyone knows the benefits of this but what not many people know is that you can’t automatically activate Vista using the product key which is located in the sticker under your laptop. You must go through the telephone activation route which is sometimes really boring or even worse, unusable. I also didn’t want to use any of my spare MSDNAA licences because… I payed for this laptop’s Vista licence and I might as well make it work!

So I started digging on how I can activate my T60 the same way Lenovo activates them during the factory restore. I’ve found out that Lenovo (and other OEMs) use a different product key, not the one you see in the sticker, which is hidden in the restore partition (or the discs you made yourself). This product key in combination with a license file that Microsoft has given to each OEM can activate windows without the need of online or telephone activation. Ofcourse for the product key/license file to work your BIOS must be compatible (aka support SLIC - Software Licensing Description Table) so that you can’t ilegally use this technique on every pc you own (doh!).

Here are the steps for a successful offline activation:

1. While you are using your factory preinstalled Vista find out your REAL OEM product key. You can use many utilities for this, like TweakVI but the easiest one is the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder. Print or write your product key.

2. Clean install Vista using either a retail DVD or with the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD that might have been included in your Lenovo purchase. They are exactly the same media so no need to go the ware… *ahmm you know * way! When asked for your product key during installation enter the product you found in step 1 and NOT the product key which is written on the sticker under your laptop.

3. Find the Lenovo OEM licence file. It is found in your recovery media. For example if you wrote 2 DVDs with the R&R4 program the licence file is located in the data DVD (big one) into an imz archive (actually an encrypted zip archive) named 0ADPE07.IMZ Inside that archive you must find SWWORK\C\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\OEM\lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms
The problem with all the archives in the recovery DVD is that they are encrypted! I am currently brute forcing them but it will take days to find the correct password.
So to save us some trouble we can find it on the net by searching Google for lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms. Download this file and place it somewhere (for easy install put it C:\)

4. Now we can oem/offline activate Vista by issuing the following well documented and supported by Microsoft commands. These are:

Code:

slmgr –ilc path/to/licence/file/lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms

(a message should pop after a while telling you that it installed correctly)

Code:

slmgr –ato

(another message should pop which says that vista is now activated!)

Now go to Control Panel -> System and see that you are actually activated!

I hope this mini guide will help some of you do a clean Vista OEM installation without the need of the boring telephone activation.

Edit: I you have an HP/Compac laptop use this guide by orev as it contains more small details on how to accomplish the clean install for these laptops.

 

Very nice guide!

 

ohh nice guide... can i use the cd key for another computer instead?
for example, i dont need vista on my x60. can i use that use that "lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms" folder on my Vaio instead?

 

more importantly, should i be able to do a similar method on my hp ?

 

The key retrieved from this method is only usable on your lenovo laptop because the licence certificate (the lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms file) was created to match certain data that your BIOS holds in it's SLIC table. I really don't think it's possible to use into another brand's laptop.

On the other hand you could use your second key (the one found in the sticker) to activate over the phone another computer (e.g your Vaio) but this will probably violate the EULA as you can only have one installed copy of Windows with every retail or oem licence you purchase.

I believe every oem uses the same technique to offline activate Vista so yes it's possible. However you must find the correct licence file to use after you have retrieved your hidden product key. Start by examing every file/archive on your HP recovery discs. The licence file should have an xrm-ms extension. If you find the file and it's encrypted in some kind of archive just search google for it's exact filename like I did with lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms.

 

awesome. i'll do that later this evening or in the morning. if i find it before someone else does, i'll be sure to contribute!

 

This works for both Vista Business and for Vista Ultimate. Likely would work for other versions of Vista as well... My understanding is that the only difference is the product key - the license file is the same.

-- google is your friend...

 

The xrm-ms file should also exist on your PC as it's currently installed (from the factory). Should be no need to brute force crack the password. Do a search of the c:\Windows folder and include hidden and system files. There will be a bunch of those type of files, and one of them should be the oemcert key.

On my HP, it's in C:\windows\oemcert. Probably something similar for lenovo.

 

Wh1t3w0lf, this is a great guide. I have expanded it and posted a step-by-step for my HP laptop in this thread, so at least it seems to work for HP laptops too!

 

orev thanks, you also have a great guide there as it contains all the small details needed to do this, and that will make this procedure accessible to many more people!

Unfortunately on Lenovo systems the oem certificate cannot be found in the factory preinstalled Vista, only in the recovery media/partition (although I admit I didn't search too much for it) and now I can't just reformat to search again for this

 

-_- i wanted to try this with the XP home edition but I cannot find places to download home edition and only XP professional

 

do I need the recover cds? or can i just have my vista cd key and install vista using the provided disc?

 

You will need the recovery discs to revert your system back to the factory defaults. You don't use them during the clean install process, but if something goes wrong and you need to restore the system, you will need them.

All you need is 2 DVDs or like 9 CDs, which total should cost you maybe $2. Not making them before you do this is not a smart idea.

 

Thanks for the guide, worked like a charm for my T61.

 

this is exactly what I needed.

anyone figure out how to do a dual boot on thinkpads?

 

These are almost identical - the only difference is that with pro you get additional group policy controls.

 

i bought mine with home basic, as i have an ultimate copy
i'm guessing this won't work, as it would only work for the same version?

 

if you have a copy of ultimate, then presumably you also got an activation key with that copy? if so that would be the only key you need

 

Not true...

To install XP Home you NEED a XP Home disc to install Pro you NEED a Pro disk. XP is not like vista where they are all on the same disc.

Also, XP Pro has Domains, Remote Desktop Server, More Advanced Group Policies, Automated System Recovery, Dynamic Disk Support, IIS Web Server, Multi language support, and Encrypting File System. There are a few others as well that I cannot remember off hand.

 

What are the benefits of a clean install? sorry, I'm new to this as I am currently thinking about getting a t61p for college soon.

 

clean install helps to get rid of a preinstalled crapware and causes the laptop boot and run faster

 

Thanks. So would this guide be the best way to go about that? Will I be missing any drivers or programs I need for the lenovo to be working at 100%?

 

As chatte said Lenovo's website has available for download all the drivers and applications that you will need to have a 100% functional laptop without the annoying crapware that slows down your computer.

Download Drivers and Applications

 

Thanks again. So that should have everything. I was thinking about getting the fingerprint scan option. Worth it?

 

fingerprint thingy (i got one with mine) is more of a convieniece factor and i dont see it being any more secure then a normal password.

in fact id think that it would give people two things to hack into in order to crack your computer open rather than just one.

so far i like it because it lets me just slide my finger to get into anything.. windows, websites, encrypted files, email, ect. you just have to take a couple secounds the first time you run each program to tell it if you want it or not.

 

I like the scifi factor behind that. Thank you everyone for answering my questions fully. Now I just have to wait for that blasted T61p to come out.

 

Thanks for this info! Totally awesome! I have a question, though. So, I bought a Lenovo T61 with the 32-bit version of Vista Ultimate. Now, I have the software for Ultimate 64 bit (it's the full version - totally legit for my Media Center). Can I use the 32 bit key for a 64 bit install using this technique?

Thanks again!

Yeah, I agree about clean installs all the way, though. So many bloated OEM apps. Ugh! And a waste of hard drive space for the restore image!!!

---

MG

 

Ok, it didn't work for me. I mean, going from 32 to 64 bit using this method That is sad....

 

NEVERMIND! WORED LIKE A CHAMP!!!! I had to change the switch to say:

slmgr -ilc lenovo.oemcert.1000036.xrm-ms

I ran this with my command prompt in C: itself with a copy of the file there.

Hope this helps! Score!!!!

 

So you were able to use the 32bit xrm-ms file to also activate a 64bit install? That's great!

 

What do you mean you had to change it? I noticed you added an extra 0 or is that just a typo?

 

I plan on going from 32-bit to 64-bit. Please clarify EXACTLY what you typed in. Thanks.

 

Sorry. I did have a typo! That is what excitement gets you. Anyhow, I copied the lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms file to my C: drive. Then I navigated to it via the command prompt and typed:

slmgr -ilc lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms

Whitewolf's documetnation had some path to type and I didn't have to do that....I mean, I got an error when I did it that way. However, the rest of the steps are exactly as Whitewolf stated.

I am running the 64 bit version of Ultimate as we speak . Hope this helps!

---

MG

 

MaryGladys, did you use the retail boxed version of 64 bit Vista Ultimate, or was it some sort of OEM 64bit DVD? Thanks.

 

For what it's worth. Supposedly you can do this with the "anytime upgrade" dvd. You can buy the 32-bit or 64-bit versions for $5: http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...le&cm_ven=froogle&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ite=feed

 

Espo, I had a full retail version of Ultimate so that is what I used. Stallen is right that the Anytime DVD's will work, as I have seen posts from several folks in other newsgroups about this matter. So long as it isn't OEM, you will be good.

---

MG

 

Hi, I followed this procedure, using the lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms found on the OEMBIOS repository, and upon running the command slmgr -ilc lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms received the message that this requires elevated priviledges. I am doing this from the admin account created at initial installation, using the command prompt.

Any advice or suggestions or ideas?

I should mention that I first tried the default Lenovo installation, and found it to be ever bit as bloated as claimed, and this clean installation makes a huge improvement!

TIA

 

You can turn off the UAC (User Account Control) first, and than activate.

For turning of UAC, you can google on "how to turn off UAC" and you will find the detailed steps.

 

Thanks for the information. I just ordered one 64-bit version there.

 

Thanks! Worked perfectly.

This clean install method really is a vast improvement over the default Lenovo installation.

 

I wanted to upgrade my current 32-bit system to 64-bit system. I ordered the 64-bit anytime upgrade yesterday. I did some research on this 32-bit to 64-bit upgrade last night.

Here is what I found. One can only upgrade to a 32-bit system if one currently has a 32-bit system. Say, if one has a 32-bit Windows XP installed, one can only upgrade to 32-bit Vista. The same applies to the 64-bit systems. Say, if one has 64-bit Windows XP installed currently, one can only upgrade to 64-bit Vista. So 64-bit Anytime Upgrade probably will not do the job if one has the 32-bit version installed right now. Instead, one has to get the full version to do the transfer between 32-bit system and 64-bit system.

 

Well, I wish I could give firsthand information, but I can't until I get the T61P and try it myself. I have heard a few other people say that it works. The people that it worked for started with a new/formatted hard drive. They installed installed the 64-bit software and then used the 32-bit product key and it worked (so they said). I've got nothing to loose buy trying except a couple hours of my time. I actually have access to a 64-bit retail disk that I can use but I'm going to use the 32-bit product key.

EDIT 1-2-08: For anyone reading this, going from 32-bit to 64-bit is easy just using my clean install guide> Click here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783

 

how does the anytime upgrade dvd works? for xp user to upgrade vista for free? or 32 to 64?

 

The way I understand it is there are 2 anytime upgrade DVDs: 32-bit and 64-bit. The anytime upgrade is basically a 32-bit Vista Ultimate or 64-bit Vista Ultimate DVD. The purpose of the disk is to upgrade from a lesser Vista version to a greater Vista version. Such as upgrading from Vista Home Basic to Vista Home Premium.

The version of Vista you have is determined by the product key. The 32-bit or 64-bit is determined by the disk you use. It is my understanding that if you have a 32-bit Vista product key, that same key will activate the same version in 64-bit. For example if you have 32-bit Home Premium that same product key should activate 64-bit premium. Again, this comes from research on the internet, but I haven't done it myself... yet.

 

so.. i can use that 64 bit upgrade dvd for my 32 bit vista home basic???

in my case will be:
one upgrade my home basic to vista home premium? (cost $5)
use two upgrade dvd to vista business?? ($cost 10)
3 upgrade dvd to vista ultimate??? (cost 15$)

 

You just need one 64-bit Vista Anytime Upgrade DVD to do that. It contains all versions of 64-bit Vista. If the key that you have is for Home Premium, you will get a upgrade to Home Premium; if the key that you have is for Ultimate, you will get a upgrade to Ultimate, and so on.

If you want to upgrage a system from 32-bit to 64-bit, this article will help you.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932795/en-us

 

No, No.... The $5 charge is just for the anytime upgrade DVD. That's it. If you actaully wanted to upgrade from Home Basic to Home Premium then it would cost significantly more. I was only suggesting that you can go from 32-bit to 64-bit using the anytime upgrade disk while keeping the exact same version you already own. For example, going from 32-bit Home Basic to 64-bit Home Basic.

Read this for pricing and information to do what you are asking: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Anytime_Upgrade

and to actuallu purchase a new license you can go here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...orupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/overview.mspx

 

my T61 is preloaded with vista home basic. Will it work if I go from basic to ultimate using the Anytime Upgrade disk?

 

My T61 originally came with a Vista Home Basic.
The first thing I did when I receive my laptop is get rid of the Vista, and install XP instead.(can't stand with crap loaded of junks in vista...)
I have a copy of Vista Home Basic that I installed for my desktop.
Now the question is, can I use the key from that retail dvd instead of recovery my machine, and find the key under vista, and re-format again?
Then after the installation, and continue follow from the step 3?

Thanks!

 

I cant find lenovo.oemcert.100036.xrm-ms can somebody help me out? I searched my computer as well but no luck...NVM i found it