OT - Win XP activation questions

[merlocka]

hey, anyone know if I can do this? I need to update my laptop to WinXP for work tomorrow. My only WinXP copy is my personal copy. Just ordered a copy for the laptop, but it won't arrive until mid-week.

If I use my personal copy on the laptop, and don't activate it, is there a way to update the key I entered during the install (to reflect the CD key of the new copy which is on-its-way)?? Any other problems with doing this? I'm trying to avoid installing XP twice.

Thanks - Al

 

[mastertech01]

I think you will have to reinstall. XP is pretty hard to fool.

 

[CraigRT]

Not sure what to look for, but I was told there is a file somewhere in the installation that you can remove, that eliminates having to do a registration all together.. that may be something you are looking for.. i dunno. you might be able to re-add the file afterwards, and with your new CD key, register it like normal once it arrives. just a possibility.

 

[MoFunk]

YGPM

 

[Wiz]

I have heard of a method for changing the number - I don't have the link here but I can send it after I get home.

 

[bot2600]

I believe you can do this through the activate over phone option, versus activating over the internet, atleast it works in .NET server, but I havent tried it in XP.

 

[merlocka]

Thanks for the replies, i just broke down and picked up a copy for $100 locally.

Ya know, WinXP is pretty good. I went from re-partitioning the hard drive to browsing Anandtech over WLAN (with ALL windows updates done, except SP1) in less than an hour... and I didn't have to install a single device driver.

This is the first MS product which I don't mind paying for. Well, 2000 also, but it comes on our laptops so I never had to get it.