[stukan]

@lars wrote:

Arris, Stukan, you’re both geniuses. This is the ultimate crack ! The whole thing can be automated with a simple script. Maybe add the registry mod to it to get AVG working but change the real key temporarily instead of making the fake one. No need to patch software kits individually anymore. Convert, install anything that installs on that other OS and convert back to Server again. Even my mother can do that. Fantastic !! Thanks a lot.

Arris:

How about asking sawo to add the function to his Windows Server 2008 Workstation Converter.
It will save us numerous boot and reboot of a dual-boot system to accomplish the same thing!

stukan

[stukan]

This method is a complete success
Installing an un-installable software to w2k8 by changing w2k8 to Vista and back

Thanks Arris!

It turns out that it takes 2 things to convert w2k8 and Vista back and forth – changing the Taken.dat file and the Product Key.

The method work perfectly on my HP F2200 All-in-One Printer/Scanner.

The following procedure is what I have done to install HP Driver/Application Suite:
1. Boot to Vista x64
Replace the w2k8’s token.dat with Vista’s token.dat
(For the location of the token.dat file, please check with Arris’s post above.)

2. Boot to w2k8 x64
Windows asked for activation but allow delay activation. Choose delay activation.
Replace the w2k8 product key with Vista’s.
(StartButton-ControlPanel-System-ChangeProductKey)
Reboot.
I checked with Windows Update and confirmed OS as genuine Vista.
Install the HP printer driver and application suite and test print OK.

3. Boot to Vista x64
Replace w2k8’s token.dat with the original w2k8’s token.dat

4. Boot to w2k8
Replace product key with w2k8’s
Reboot.
Test HP printer application suite and found working perfectly.

Using this method, I believed most of the failed installations can be installed on w2k8
(unless the installed software continue to check for OS version when run).
Be sure to run w2k8 and Vista with the corresponding x64 or x86 version during conversion.

Please report applications that pass/fail using this method

[Author]

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