changing windows 2000 product key to match factory OS sticker

[bigpow]

I recently got a free HP machine, but I had to put in my own HDD.
The machine has a windows 2000 sticker on its side with its product key.

I had to use my own copy of Windows 2000 that day, and I'd like to know if I could change it to match the HP product key?
I'm hoping I could do this so that I don't waste one product key.

I don't have the HP windows 2000 recovery CD, and my own retail copy wouldn't install with the HP product key.


many thanks

 

[mcurphy]

I don't know the answer to your specific question, but another option might be contacting HP for a replacement Recovery CD. Then you would be able to use the HP key, and keep your other key / disc for another install.


I've never requested a recovery cd through HP, but for my Averatec laptop, I had to order one recently and it was only $11. I was able to purchase directly from the website. Maybe HP also offers a fairly cheap replacement cd, which would make it worth your time.

Check out their website and you should be able to dig up some info.

 

[ShellGuy]

Hope i don't get a vacation for this one, try google for magical jelly bean......



Will G.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: mcurphy
I don't know the answer to your specific question, but another option might be contacting HP for a replacement Recovery CD. Then you would be able to use the HP key, and keep your other key / disc for another install.


I've never requested a recovery cd through HP, but for my Averatec laptop, I had to order one recently and it was only $11. I was able to purchase directly from the website. Maybe HP also offers a fairly cheap replacement cd, which would make it worth your time.

Check out their website and you should be able to dig up some info.

Good luck with that. A friend of mine stupidly paid $89 for recovery CDs for his HP computer.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
Hope i don't get a vacation for this one, try google for magical jelly bean......



Will G.

The machine has an OEM license, all he changed was the hard drive. As far as I know that's legit.

 

[bigpow]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
Hope i don't get a vacation for this one, try google for magical jelly bean......
Will G.

The machine has an OEM license, all he changed was the hard drive. As far as I know that's legit.

That's what my IT guy said, he had to remove the HDD due to company policy - but he said I could just install with my own copy and use the product key on the sticker (but it didn't work)

I'll give this magical utility a try

Thanks a million!

BTW: HP wants $25 for the CD (not incl tax & s/h)

EDIT: false alarm
from the FAQ:
"The Keyfinder only supports changing the keys in Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP. Windows 2000, NT, and Server 2003 aren't supported."

 

[Kappo]

It works.. you can also look up "Change product key" in google and find the official MS way to change it via a command.

The best thing to do honestly is find an OEM HP media (the IT guy should have about a TON of them laying around) and use the sticker on the side if it asks you for the key.

 

[John]

The product key on the HP should be oem, therefore if you use an oem Win2k cd you can use the HP product key during installation. It sounds like your Win2K cd is non-oem.

 

[Arkaign]

I wouldn't even worry abou changing it man, you've obviously got a legit license to 2k, so you're fixing what isn't broken.

 

[gwag]

when using a hp CD it may never ask you for a key....
with XP on dells and compaqs using a oem cd never asks for a key.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
I wouldn't even worry abou changing it man, you've obviously got a legit license to 2k, so you're fixing what isn't broken.

This was exactly what I thought.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: mancunian

Originally posted by: Arkaign
I wouldn't even worry abou changing it man, you've obviously got a legit license to 2k, so you're fixing what isn't broken.

This was exactly what I thought.

The OP makes it clear that he "doesn't want to waste a product key". He could be using a key that's already in use and wants to remain legit.

 

[mancunian]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: mancunian

Originally posted by: Arkaign
I wouldn't even worry abou changing it man, you've obviously got a legit license to 2k, so you're fixing what isn't broken.

This was exactly what I thought.

The OP makes it clear that he "doesn't want to waste a product key". He could be using a key that's already in use and wants to remain legit.

That's as maybe, only he knows that.

But here, we have to assume the 2K CD he has is legit.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: mancunian

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: mancunian

Originally posted by: Arkaign
I wouldn't even worry abou changing it man, you've obviously got a legit license to 2k, so you're fixing what isn't broken.

This was exactly what I thought.

The OP makes it clear that he "doesn't want to waste a product key". He could be using a key that's already in use and wants to remain legit.

That's as maybe, only he knows that.

But here, we have to assume the 2K CD he has is legit.

To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a non-legit CD. Since you only buy the license and not the physical copy.

 

[bigpow]

Thanks for the replies.
I'm still not able to change the key and I can't even pay HP to get the CD. (no longer supported)

I have a legit retail w2k, but it belongs to another machine I built a while ago.
Trying to be on the safe side, I'm thinking of Ubuntu now...

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

since windows 2000 OEM and non-OEM are both the same functionally, you have a license for both machines. Just because both are registered using the same key doesn't mean you don't have seperate licenses for each. You'll be fine; win 2k doesn't call home like XP/Vista do, so you are in the moral and technical clear, as far as I can tell.

 

[John]

Changing the Windows 2000 Product Key

Summary:

If you need to change the Windows 2000 Product Key (a.k.a. serial number) use this procedure. The old product key will be removed and you will be able to enter any valid serial key.

Assumptions:

I assume you already have a fully configured computer running Windows 2000. You need to change the serial number. You have administrator access to the PC and to the network so you can reconfigure everything after removing the previous settings.

Note:

Sysprep.exe will remove your operating systems current configuration and run the Windows setup as if you were installing Windows for the first time. All configuration settings (including device drivers and network settings) will be removed; however your third party programs and data will still be intact.

Requirements:

[*] You must have a Windows 2000 family operating system.
[*] To complete this procedure you will need to download the Windows 2000 SP4 Deployment Tools archive from Microsoft. (Contains sysprep.exe) (The file is named ?sp4DeployTools.exe?) http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/deploydl.asp
[*] Optional - For unattended installation, a configuration file is required. A sample configuration file is included with the ?sp4DeployTools.exe? archive. It is in the word document ?unattend.doc?. ?Setupmgr.exe? will assist you in creating an unattended installation file for either sysprep or Windows 2000 setup.


Instructions:

1. Extract the files from the archive you downloaded (The file is named ?sp4DeployTools.exe?)
2. Select a location for the compressed files to be copied to. (The files include ?\i386\deploy.cab? and ?\i386\w2ksp4.sms?)
3. In the extracted folder, double-click ?deploy.cab? to decompress the individual ?Deployment Tools? and extract them to the location of your choice. The help file ?deptool.chm? provides detailed information about each tool and instructions for how they should be extracted and used.
4. Document all current configuration and network settings for your PC.
5. Run ?sysprep.exe?
6. Your computer will now shut down. Turn your computer back on, and let Windows 2000 load setup. You will have to enter the configuration settings, including your new Product Key, unless you have made an unattended installation configuration file. (See requirements)
7. After Setup is completed, it will reboot. You may have to install device drivers that are listed as question marks in Device Manager.

 

[bigpow]

John, thanks for going above & beyond