Legitimizing XP

[jkersenbr]

I'm working on replacing an "invalid" installation of XP Pro on someone else's PC (no kidding). He has provided me with a full retail box XP Pro to replace it with, but doesn't want to lose data or have to reinstall apps.

Will doing a repair installation from the XP CD nuke all his apps?

If so, is there a way to install over the top of the old installation without having to reinstall the applications?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bruceb]

If his existing XP Pro is working fine (no issues) you should be able to use the Microsoft Keychanger
utilty to just change the Serial Number to his new Legit One

http://www.petri.co.il/change_the_serial_in_windows_xp.htm

 

[jkersenbr]

Well the reason I don't think that will work is that the installed version is a wild pirate that doesn't even have the Product Activation.

So I don't think just changing the key will work; I think a real version will actually have to be installed.

 

[jfunk]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1869664&enterthread=y

See this thread for how to change invalid VLK to valid other license.

 

[porcorosso]

Under the circumstances, it might be safer for your friend to just wipe the system and start over. I know it would be a pain, but I'd be leery of continuing to use a system whose initial OS installation came from a questionable source. If the thing is never used for business, personal or otherwise, and if it isn't exposing other systems on a network, then I guess it might make sense to just continue to use it as is or repaired. But you might want to explain some of the risks just the same.

 

[jfunk]

To be clear, just changing the key won't work because his key will not be valid for the volume license he installed. The link provided in the thread I noted give directions to the MS program that will allow you to change your key from VLK to Retail/OEM and it will then re-enable the activation part of WinXP. Thus, since the install is more than 30 days old, it will immediately require activation before he can use the machine.

And I wouldn't worry about doing a re-install if he has no problems with the machine right now. If it's not in tip-top shape, then this is a fine time to go ahead with a clean install, but otherwise I wouldn't bother. This is a perfectly normal example of what MS WANTS people to do with the whole new Genuine Advantage Validation stuff.

 

[jkersenbr]

Here's a followup for anyone else who may do this:

The link that jfunk pointed me to did work, but after using the tool, it still gave the couterfeit warning messages. I ended up having to manually go to Windows Update, then follow the links in the warning about using a non-activated Windows. (It tells you to delete the folder containing Windows Genuine Assurance.)

Also, I tried with with an unused OEM license, and it did not work. But it did work with a retail box.