Windows XP Pro- Making copied version legal - Can we upgrade without re-installing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dave Smithz
  • Start date Start date
D

Dave Smithz

I recently took over a support contract for a local company. This company is
completely by the book and want everything to be legal. I discovered that
one of the machines which was maintained by a previous support company does
not seem to have a legal copy of Windows XP installed.
Although they have a licence for the software, this has not been the version
installed on the PC. I am not sure why or how this occurred but I realised
it when I was unable to do a full Windows update because the service pack
install would not install.
I have to fix this and I would like to know if there is a way to install the
licensed edition they have over the copied (probably) version they
currently have installed.

This is because I want to avoid the re-installation of all the software of
on the PC because I do not know the full history of it.

Any suggestions on the best way to go about this would be greatly
appreciated. This client does not like any changes to their PC's and me
doing a complete re-install is not going to make them particularly happy,
especially when I charge them for it.

Regards
 
You'll have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Dave Smithz" <Spam Free> wrote in message:

| I recently took over a support contract for a local company. This company is
| completely by the book and want everything to be legal. I discovered that
| one of the machines which was maintained by a previous support company does
| not seem to have a legal copy of Windows XP installed.
| Although they have a licence for the software, this has not been the version
| installed on the PC. I am not sure why or how this occurred but I realised
| it when I was unable to do a full Windows update because the service pack
| install would not install.
| I have to fix this and I would like to know if there is a way to install the
| licensed edition they have over the copied (probably) version they
| currently have installed.
|
| This is because I want to avoid the re-installation of all the software of
| on the PC because I do not know the full history of it.
|
| Any suggestions on the best way to go about this would be greatly
| appreciated. This client does not like any changes to their PC's and me
| doing a complete re-install is not going to make them particularly happy,
| especially when I charge them for it.
|
| Regards
 
Either do a repair install and use the good product key/license or just
change the key/license without reinstalling:
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.
 
Greetings --

Are you trying to install Service Pack 1a 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.

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


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
 
Back
Top