Windows XP CDKEY/ Windows update question

[desiplaya4life]

ok so my laptop recovery cd only carried original windows xp OS or i think it was just with SP1 only but i wanted to load the Winxp that had SP2 built in.

so my friend let me borrow his cd which was a copy. i installed it but i cant download the updates anymore to windows xp because it says my cdkey is not valid. The thing is i do have a valid windows xp cdkey from my laptop (the sticket in the bottom)

so the question is does anyone know how you can go in rededit and change the product key out to a valid one? i forgot the link someone gave me on How-To.

 

[blackangst1]

Google is your friend

 

[spyordie007]

You're not going to be able to change from a pirated corporate key to an OEM COA key. I think you're going to have to do a reinstall on this machine.

 

[bendixG15]

Just do a search here and you'll get lots of hits..

here's one -->http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1692338&enterthread=y

 

[desiplaya4life]

no an old friend done it before on his machine n gave a link to follow later on. so i know it can happen

 

[desiplaya4life]

Originally posted by: bendixG15
Just do a search here and you'll get lots of hits..

here's one -->http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1692338&enterthread=y

thanks i'll look into it!

 

[desiplaya4life]

ok that did not work.. anyone else i got winxp sp2 installed. so that ms link didnt help me out.

 

[egkenny]

This is what I would do.
1) Download SP2 from this link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta...-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
2) Burn SP2 to a CD
3) Reinstall Window XP with the original CD with SP1
4) Install SP2 from the CD

This will save you a lot of grief now and in the future in case you have to reinstall again.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: egkenny
This is what I would do.
1) Download SP2 from this link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta...-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
2) Burn SP2 to a CD
3) Reinstall Window XP with the original CD with SP1
4) Install SP2 from the CD

This will save you a lot of grief now and in the future in case you have to reinstall again.

:thumbsup:


if you are really feeling brave, then slipstream SP2 with your CD's files and burn your own slipstreamed disk.

 

[networkman]

Okay, color me ignorant here, but what the heck does XP SP2 installed as an OEM give you, that XP SP1 OEM(with and update to SP2) does not?

I'm not understanding why the OP didn't just do the SP2 update in the first place?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: networkman
Okay, color me ignorant here, but what the heck does XP SP2 installed as an OEM give you, that XP SP1 OEM(with and update to SP2) does not?

I'm not understanding why the OP didn't just do the SP2 update in the first place?

Nothing, probably didn't know better...

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: networkman
Okay, color me ignorant here, but what the heck does XP SP2 installed as an OEM give you, that XP SP1 OEM(with and update to SP2) does not?

I'm not understanding why the OP didn't just do the SP2 update in the first place?

Nothing, probably didn't know better...

I've known people to do this who had an original CD but couldn't keep their system up long enough after the installation to get the updates without getting a ton of viruses as well. Updating for the first time behind a hardware firewall is all fine and well, if you have a hardware firewall... If you have a better method that 1) lets you use the original non-SP CD, 2) doesn't require a hardware firewall, and 3) doesn't require a CD from another computer with the updates burned on it, I would like to know.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: networkman
Okay, color me ignorant here, but what the heck does XP SP2 installed as an OEM give you, that XP SP1 OEM(with and update to SP2) does not?

I'm not understanding why the OP didn't just do the SP2 update in the first place?

Nothing, probably didn't know better...

I've known people to do this who had an original CD but couldn't keep their system up long enough after the installation to get the updates without getting a ton of viruses as well. Updating for the first time behind a hardware firewall is all fine and well, if you have a hardware firewall... If you have a better method that 1) lets you use the original non-SP CD, 2) doesn't require a hardware firewall, and 3) doesn't require a CD from another computer with the updates burned on it, I would like to know.

Safest way I know in that situation: Install it without a network cable. Turn on TCP filtering, plug in network cable. Update....

 

[intogamer]

Different CDs(builds) require different keys

If you slipstreamed an orginal SP1 disc to SP2... the key would work
but if you tried to use a SP2 cd I don't think it would work

 

[egkenny]

Originally posted by: intogamer
Different CDs(builds) require different keys

If you slipstreamed an orginal SP1 disc to SP2... the key would work
but if you tried to use a SP2 cd I don't think it would work

How do you know that? I have two computers with XP Pro SP1. When I was ready to install SP2 on the two computers I just popped in the CD with SP2 and installed it. No key was required.

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: egkenny

Originally posted by: intogamer
Different CDs(builds) require different keys

If you slipstreamed an orginal SP1 disc to SP2... the key would work
but if you tried to use a SP2 cd I don't think it would work

How do you know that? I have two computers with XP Pro SP1. When I was ready to install SP2 on the two computers I just popped in the CD with SP2 and installed it. No key was required.

no I meant a SP2 WIN XP CD

i'm pretty sure SP1 windows XP key will not work on SP2 windows XP CD

 

[QueZart]

Originally posted by: intogamer

Originally posted by: egkenny

Originally posted by: intogamer
Different CDs(builds) require different keys

If you slipstreamed an orginal SP1 disc to SP2... the key would work
but if you tried to use a SP2 cd I don't think it would work

How do you know that? I have two computers with XP Pro SP1. When I was ready to install SP2 on the two computers I just popped in the CD with SP2 and installed it. No key was required.

no I meant a SP2 WIN XP CD

i'm pretty sure SP1 windows XP key will not work on SP2 windows XP CD

What he is trying to explain is each batch or batch type of Win XP CD's ( Pro, Home, Pro+sp1, Home+sp1, +sp2, and OEM versions) Each Type will onyl accept a certain range of Keys so a Key from one Type of OG disc Will Not work in a different Type.

The Best Solution IMO is Download the SP2 fiel as said above and re-installing.

I would get Auto Streamer

http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t223562-100.html

and Using YOUR OG Disc slipstream sp2 into it and create a new disc.

The Only advantage to doing this instead of just running the SP2 package after a normal setup is That a Slip streamed SP2 will recognize SATA drives in NON-RAID without the need for drivers, SP1 will not..

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan

.... If you have a better method that 1) lets you use the original non-SP CD, 2) doesn't require a hardware firewall, and 3) doesn't require a CD from another computer with the updates burned on it, I would like to know.

Do the following:
1) Download Microsoft's full XP SP2 update from Microsoft's site. Burn it to CD and use the CD to install SP2 on the new computer.
or
2) Order an XP SP2 Update CD from Microsoft. It's free. Use it to install SP2 on the new computer.
or
3) Install the XP SP2 updates directly across your network from another PC that has the contents of the XP SP2 update CD in a shared folder.

 

[bob4432]

nliteos does one hell of a job for slipstreaming/modifying xp and 2k installs. you may want to check it out.

 

[DaveBC]

Just call the Microsoft Activation number and explain to them your prob. They will give you a new key over the phone and activiate your copy.

 

[networkman]

Originally posted by: QueZart
The Only advantage to doing this instead of just running the SP2 package after a normal setup is That a Slip streamed SP2 will recognize SATA drives in NON-RAID without the need for drivers, SP1 will not..

Okay, so there is at least one advantage of an SP2 install instead an SP1 with an SP2 update. I suppose another advantage would be time to install, if you were starting from scratch and not simply doing updates.

My own experience with MS operating systems, is that after initial install the very first thing you should be doing is Critical Updates, followed by Recommended Updates and Driver patches. Then worrying about surfing the Web and getting other apps installed, hopefully for additional security.. maybe even some anti-virus protecting too.

 

[RebateMonger]

OP,

You never did say what brand of laptop you have. Be aware that if you have a Dell, there are SIGNIFICANT issues slipstreaming a Dell OEM Windows XP SP1 install CD into the SP2 version. It MAY be possible, but I've never succeeded. It's a known problem.

It's definitely worthwhile to slipstream an XP RTM (original release) to SP1. Without SP1, XP won't recognize a drive larger than 137GB.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Do the following:
1) Download Microsoft's full XP SP2 update from Microsoft's site. Burn it to CD and use the CD to install SP2 on the new computer.
or
2) Order an XP SP2 Update CD from Microsoft. It's free. Use it to install SP2 on the new computer.
or
3) Install the XP SP2 updates directly across your network from another PC that has the contents of the XP SP2 update CD in a shared folder.

I've done those sorts of things when possible. I asked what (if anything) could be done if those things were not practical / possible. I'd never heard of what bsobel suggested before (evidently it's different from the Windows Firewall), but his suggestion actually answered the question and gave me something useful, instead of telling me to do what I have already found to not be possible all of the time.