Re-install newly-purchased XPPro SP1 over previous XPPro SP1?

  • Thread starter Thread starter geo
  • Start date Start date
G

geo

Hi,

I recently changed jobs and my laptop has WindowsXP Pro sp1 on it, a
corporate select version, which required no activation.

I purchased my own personal XP Pro sp1 package, and all I want to do is to
somehow "overwrite" what I have with my new package to keep me legal.

Question: Is there a way to de-activate (or unregister) the version
currently installed and just plug in some new numbers from my own new
personal package? Or do I have to basically re-format / re-install my whole
system, starting from scratch?

Thanks in advance,

George
 
Change the key, do a repair install or just keep what you
have. You have a new key, Nobody cares what you have on
your system, unless you think the software police are
going to walk up to your door anytime soon and you have a
key anyway.
 
The volume license version you have is legal. If the old company didn't
require you to remove there key/license/version, then they lose. They gave
it to you, now it is your. But since you already bought xp pro retail:
To change the product key:
1) Run regedit and go to:
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents
In the right pane double click on "oobetimer" and change at least one
digit of this value

(ie: change hex "CA" to "AC"). This will deactivate windows.
Exit regedit.

2) Choose run from the start menu and type in this command
c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

3) Choose activate by phone.

4) Choose Change Product Key.

5) Type in the new product key.
CLICK UPDATE

6) Now reboot.

7) After reboot, re-enter command from step 2 to verify activation.
 
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