Custom Disk Image FAQ - General Dynamics Itronix

How does Microsoft Windows activation occur with a custom image?
If you are…
…basing your custom disk
image off of the original
General Dynamics Itronix
OEM factory image
…creating a custom image
from scratch
Then…
Microsoft Windows will automatically self-activate because the
OEM factory image contains an SLP product key.
Computers from General Dynamics Itronix, like computers from
other large manufacturers, come with two different Microsoft
Windows product keys: an SLP Product Key and a COA Product
Key.
o SLP Product Key – this key is integrated into the OEM factory
disk image and allows self-activation of the OEM factory disk
image. This means that the end-user does not need to activate
Windows. It does this by tying the OEM factory disk image to
the General Dynamics Itronix motherboard.
o COA Product Key – this is the product key that appears on the
sticker on the bottom of the computer. Its primary purpose is to
visually indicate that the OEM computer has a valid Microsoft
Windows license. Each computer has a unique COA Key. The
COA Key is a valid product key, but its use is limited, especially
since the OEM factory disk image will self-activate using the
SLP Key. The COA Key can only be used to activate an OEM
version of Windows (not a retail version). It can only be used to
activate the version of Windows specified on the sticker (i.e.,
Windows Vista). It can only be used to activate one computer.
It requires manual activation over the phone.
Refer to your Microsoft Volume Licensing or Enterprise Agreement
for information on product keys and activation.
Note: The product key on the OEM COA sticker on the bottom of
the computer has limited value if creating a custom image from
scratch. See information on the COA Key above.
What other best practices do you recommend when creating a custom
image?
• Below are some additional best practices that you might find helpful. These are in addition to
those mentioned above in:
o If I want to create my custom disk image based upon the original OEM factory image,
what is recommended?
o If I want to create my own custom disk image from scratch, what is recommended?
• Note: the information below refers primarily to Windows XP, although Windows Vista would
be similar.
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