Interesting XP activation problem.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael
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M

Michael

Interesting problem.

A mate of mine was sold a system about 2 years ago which was preloaded with
Windows XP Prof.

He wasnt given the original CD and (surprise surprise) it turns out the XP
installation is one of the notorious FCKGW-etc etc CD key installations.

The guy who sold him the system is long gone but my mate wants to get his
system legal (and so that he can run Windows Update).

So recently when he needed to buy a new hard drive he took the opportunity
to buy an OEM version of Windows XP Professional thinking he could use that
key changer application floating about on the Net which lets you un-
activate your XP and then he could re-activate it again with his legit copy
and legit key.

Wrong.

His installation wont accept the key from his just bought copy of XP Prof.
We think its because the installed copy on his system was the original non-
SP1 version of XP and this one he just bought is SP1a. Dunno if we're on
the right track there.

Can anybody think of a way he can make his XP installation legit without
having to reformat and install with the XP he just bought?
 
Michael said:
Interesting problem.

A mate of mine was sold a system about 2 years ago which was preloaded
with Windows XP Prof.

He wasnt given the original CD and (surprise surprise) it turns out the XP
installation is one of the notorious FCKGW-etc etc CD key installations.

The guy who sold him the system is long gone but my mate wants to get his
system legal (and so that he can run Windows Update).

So recently when he needed to buy a new hard drive he took the opportunity
to buy an OEM version of Windows XP Professional thinking he could use
that key changer application floating about on the Net which lets you un-
activate your XP and then he could re-activate it again with his legit
copy and legit key.

Wrong.

His installation wont accept the key from his just bought copy of XP Prof.
We think its because the installed copy on his system was the original
non- SP1 version of XP and this one he just bought is SP1a. Dunno if we're
on the right track there.

Can anybody think of a way he can make his XP installation legit without
having to reformat and install with the XP he just bought?
Click to expand...

Nope,.it's one of M$ little gottya quirks..Basically his first copy was
illegal..
 
Interesting problem.

A mate of mine was sold a system about 2 years ago which was preloaded with
Windows XP Prof.

He wasnt given the original CD and (surprise surprise) it turns out the XP
installation is one of the notorious FCKGW-etc etc CD key installations.

The guy who sold him the system is long gone but my mate wants to get his
system legal (and so that he can run Windows Update).

So recently when he needed to buy a new hard drive he took the opportunity
to buy an OEM version of Windows XP Professional thinking he could use that
key changer application floating about on the Net which lets you un-
activate your XP and then he could re-activate it again with his legit copy
and legit key.

Wrong.

His installation wont accept the key from his just bought copy of XP Prof.
We think its because the installed copy on his system was the original non-
SP1 version of XP and this one he just bought is SP1a. Dunno if we're on
the right track there.

Can anybody think of a way he can make his XP installation legit without
having to reformat and install with the XP he just bought?
Click to expand...
I don't believe an OEM package will work.
You're going to need a proper retail XP pro (upgrade should do).
Then simply do a repair install using the new disk/serial.

This procedure can be used to save some time, but you still need
another key:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328874&Product=winxp

Dave
 
You should be able to do a repair install off the oem cd - reboot computer
off cdrom, at the first prompt you will be given the option to repair using
the recovery console or install - don't choose repair here, choose install.
Then it will check your partitions, and (should) find the windows
installation and will give you the option here to choose R to repair. Once
this process is finished it should be ok.
 
Michael said:
Interesting problem.

A mate of mine was sold a system about 2 years ago which was
preloaded with Windows XP Prof.

He wasnt given the original CD and (surprise surprise) it turns out
the XP installation is one of the notorious FCKGW-etc etc CD key
installations.

The guy who sold him the system is long gone but my mate wants to get
his system legal (and so that he can run Windows Update).

So recently when he needed to buy a new hard drive he took the
opportunity to buy an OEM version of Windows XP Professional thinking
he could use that key changer application floating about on the Net
which lets you un- activate your XP and then he could re-activate it
again with his legit copy and legit key.

Wrong.

His installation wont accept the key from his just bought copy of XP
Prof. We think its because the installed copy on his system was the
original non- SP1 version of XP and this one he just bought is SP1a.
Dunno if we're on the right track there.

Can anybody think of a way he can make his XP installation legit
without having to reformat and install with the XP he just bought?
Click to expand...

Try this, and please post back with results.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#need2
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Greetings --

Are you trying to install Service Pack 1 and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a legitimate full retail copy of
WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation,
using the new CD and Product Key. An OEM CD _may_ successfully
perform a repair installation, but also may not, depending upon its
source.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Remember, you should also report whomever sold you the pirated
software to the pertinent law enforcement agencies; you've been
defrauded.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
Michael said:
Interesting problem.

A mate of mine was sold a system about 2 years ago which was preloaded with
Windows XP Prof.

He wasnt given the original CD and (surprise surprise) it turns out the XP
installation is one of the notorious FCKGW-etc etc CD key installations.

The guy who sold him the system is long gone but my mate wants to get his
system legal (and so that he can run Windows Update).

So recently when he needed to buy a new hard drive he took the opportunity
to buy an OEM version of Windows XP Professional thinking he could use that
key changer application floating about on the Net which lets you un-
activate your XP and then he could re-activate it again with his legit copy
and legit key.

Wrong.

His installation wont accept the key from his just bought copy of XP Prof.
We think its because the installed copy on his system was the original non-
SP1 version of XP and this one he just bought is SP1a. Dunno if we're on
the right track there.

Can anybody think of a way he can make his XP installation legit without
having to reformat and install with the XP he just bought?
Click to expand...


Use the Activation Wizard
If you have only a few volume licensing product keys to change, you can
use the Activation Wizard.

NOTE: Microsoft recommends that you run System Restore to create a new
restore point before you complete the following steps. For information
about how to create a restore point by using System Restore, see the "To
Create a Restore Point" help topic in Help and Support.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious
problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system.
Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from
using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current
Version\WPAEvents
4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.
6. Click Start, and then click Run.
7. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
8. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative
to activate Windows, and then click Next.
9. Click Change Product key.
10. Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.

If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me
later, and then restart the computer.
11. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. You
receive the following message:

Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.
12. Click OK.
13. Install SP1 for Windows XP.

If you cannot restart Windows after you install SP1, press F8
when you restart the computer, select Last Known Good Configuration, and
then repeat this procedure.
 
I don't think your're going to get an OEM key to install on an already
running version of XP. It's designed to work only on an OEM install on a
system w/o an OS. But, then I could be wrong.
 
George said:
I don't think your're going to get an OEM key to install on an already
running version of XP. It's designed to work only on an OEM install on a
system w/o an OS. But, then I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 328874

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 326904
Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid

Hence :)

Use the Activation Wizard
If you have only a few volume licensing product keys to change, you can
use the Activation Wizard.

And follow there instructions.
 
The commonly used Cd key that doesnt allow SP1 to be installed is windows
Pro corporate edition which has different cd keys than Windows pro the
normal one. an over the top install should fix it.
 
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