Originally posted by: fredtam
This message:
Full Error Message:
'The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid. Please contact your system administrator or retailer immediately to obtain a valid Product Key. You may also contact Microsoft Corporation's Anti-Piracy Team by emailing
piracy@microsoft.com if you think you have purchased pirated Microsoft software. Please be assured that any personal information you send to the Microsoft Anti-Piracy Team will be kept in strict confidence.'
This error is displayed on machines where the product key that has been used to install Windows is known to be used heavily on pirated versions of Windows XP. Service Pack 1 will not install
These two product keys create a product ID that matches one of the following product IDs (where X is any numeric value): XXXXX-640-0000356-23 XXX XXXXX-640-2001765-23 XXX (Click here for how to view your product id). If you have brought what you believe to be a legal version of Windows go back to where you purchased it and ask for a legal product key.
In order to install SP1 you will need a legal version of the Windows XP Edition you are currently using, insert the CD
into your drive before Windows loads and boot from the CD (may require this function to be enabled in your computers BIOS). Once Windows XP setup has begun select R from the menu and repair the current install. This will give you the ability to change the pirate key with a new legal retail key.