[DaleM]

Apparently the license key on my XP Pro w/Service Pack 2 is showing up as a corporate license and won't pass Microsoft Validation. My Product ID doesn't match those listed on the MS site but those are for base or SP1 systems.

I have two other licenses from my Microsoft Action Pack Subscription that should be valid and could use.

1. Without loosing the software I've already installed (2-3 years worth), can I 'update' to one of the other licenses (have CD) by popping the CD in and updating or will the installation tell me I already have a copy of XP Pro running and do nothing?

2. Are there any utilities that will let or force me to change the license key?

I found info on MS about modifying the OOBETimer at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents in the registry to deactivate Windows and running the Activation Wizard after getting a new key from Microsoft but it's for SP1-based systems and I have SP2. Would this work with SP2 and instead of calling Microsoft for a new key, simply use one of the two I have?

Appreciate any help.

 

[1Fast7D]

Not sure if this would help
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q310637

 

[1badss396]

Mighthave to try a warez and get a key changer I had one long ago. I had to do it once.
try doing a search I found this one CLICKY

 

[DaleM]

Nothing seems to work - but thanks to everyone trying to help. I've tried various utilities and even the MS site gives instructions on how to change the Product ID so SP1 can be installed. Problem is I already have SP2 installed and no matter what I try when I run %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a to put in the new CD KEY, it tells me the CD KEY is incorrect. I subscribe to their Action Pack and the KEY I'm trying to use is shown on the sleeve. I think it's because I already have SP2 installed and SP2 is suppose to encrypt the data so maybe that's it.

Anyone familiar with SYSPREP? We used it at work to 'clone' workstations but leave the CD KEY field as a prompt. We did this before SP2 and it worked fine. Now that our desktops are contracted out, we no longer do this so I haven't tried it with a machine with SP2. Has anyone?

 

[MikeJ]

You might try looking on Ebay for "Windows XP Professional" - there are tons of them with licenses - some of these high positive feedback legit sellers beat the retailers by a lot. Maybe even 1/2

I bought one myself about a year ago and it passed muster with Microsoft so must be legit - don't know enough to say why then can sell so cheap but they do

 

[DaleM]

I have TWO legit copies of XP Pro - the software itself isn't the problem. What I need to do is simply change my current Product ID and CD KEY to one of the TWO legit copies I have without reinstalling all my software and I haven't found a way to do that yet.

 

[1badss396]

Well this is what I would do buy another hard drive , take out your hard drive that has all your info that you dont want to lose. Install the new hard drive,format it install xp on it set it up with sp1 or sp2 which ever you need, Then add your other hard drive to the computer and move your files that you want(all your saved files) to the new drive and your all set.
Chances you wont even have to reinstall any of your programs off your old drive usally can run them off different drives. I do it all the time.
Example: my computer has 6 250 gig hard drives and 2 of them have xp pro operating systems on them so I can have a back up system in case one of my hard drives crashes and has before. I also use the same cd key for both drives that have the os on each one.

 

[Mike]

Dale ,read this:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
And might try this:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xp_in_place_upgrade.htm

 

[faulkkev]

Make sure you have a valid product key that isn't a corporate level one. I know the below works because I had the same issue. Granted I pulled the text below from the web but it looks correct.


Edit the registry of the illegal machine.
Use Regedit and find:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents
In the right pane, right-click the ODBETimer binary value and select Modify. Change at least one character of this value to either a number from 0 to 9 or to a letter from A to F, and then click OK and close the Registry Editor. This renders the current product key invalid and deactivates Windows.
Reactivate Windows using your new product key.
Click Start | Run and enter the command: %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a
Windows will launch the Product Activation Wizard.
Select the option to telephone a Microsoft customer service representative to activate Windows.
Select the Change Product Key option and enter your new product key.
Click Update and close the window.
If Windows returns you to the previous screen, just select the Remind Me Later option. When the wizard is finished, reboot the system.
When Windows reboots, your next step will depend on which Windows XP version you are using. If you have XP Home or Professional, you’ll be prompted to reactivate your copy of Windows through the normal activation process. If you have XP Corporate, no activation is required and your machine should have a valid product ID.

 

[DaleM]

Tried both the examples above but each key I have from my Action Pack subscription reports they are invalid. I even ran the SYSPREP utility like we do at work to clone software installs but change Product Keys, still said both my keys were invalid but allowed me to put back in the key I'm currently using - go figure. I have a ticket in with Microsoft to find out why neither license key works and I'm suppose to call them today to see what the deal is.

 

[Shred Zeppelin]

Give this program a try:

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html

It has an option that allows you to change your XP key.

Good luck.

 

[faulkkev]

you need to find the right key to match your install. I can't condone finding an illegal key but they are out there on peer sites. Or even key generators. If you follow the directions an delete some of the items as directed it will work with the correct key. I did it myself.

 

[DaleM]

I contacted Microsoft, gave them the two legal Product Keys I have via my Action Pack subscription and they verified the keys were legal but invalid - only Microsoft could come up with that. They also verified that neither of the two Product Keys would work even though I was doing the 'rekeying' the correct way. They are sending me a new CD, why I don't know, along with two new Product Keys.