XP Pro

[NJLOAD]

Has anyone changed to key to make the OS legal? I acquired a computer form a friend and installed various programs and decided to buy a legal copy of XP Pro Sp3. I don?t want to do a clean install if possible, and was wondering how to make this legal with my new CD.

I googled how to change the key at this site: Link

Any help would be appreciated as I want to get this thing up a running legal as soon as possible.

Thanks

 

[zerogear]

What did you want to do? If you have a proper license, then use that script in the google'd page, put in your legal cd key, and run the script. That should make it legit.

 

[NJLOAD]

zerogear, that's all I'm trying to do at this point, make it legal without having to do a clean install. So I was just curious about how the scrip would work.

thanks for the reply

 

[zerogear]

Basically the script just automates the change key process, so instead of doing it manually, its automated. If you want it to be completely legit, I would do it through Activation Wizard and change the CD Key, then reactivate it. (Method #1 on the page.)

 

[NJLOAD]

Ok I want it to be completely legal, I bought the CD. My concern was not having to do a clean install and losing some programs I paid for and already installed on the othe OS. Some of those had so many re-installs and then you would have to pay to have it installed again.

 

[NJLOAD]

I tried the process listed in the link above and I wrote down the old Key and when the activation process is over and I look at the key with KeyFinder it is till the old key, I did everything in the link and the process was exactly as described but still the old Key is being used and the Genuine Advantage valadition fails.

any ideas?

After doing some research, if this was a corp key, and the version I bought is OEM what options will I have then?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: NJLOAD
After doing some research, if this was a corp key, and the version I bought is OEM what options will I have then?

Have you looked at Microsoft's instructions for the Windows Product Key Update Tool?

Microsoft had a program that specifically addressed moving from a pirated Volume Licensed version to a legal copy. I believe their program gave you a Retail copy of XP Professional for about $150. The "Get Genuine Kit" also offered a way to "get legal":

Microsoft "Get Genuine Kit for XP Professional"

 

[NJLOAD]

tried Windows Product Key Update Tool, and it gets me to where I have to activate but still won't use the new CD Key. If I were to boot with the Legal copy and somehow got to the screen where I could repair windows do you think I would be able to enter the new Key somewhere from there?

I was looking at some other threads and Like someone else said " It's easier to get a priate copy than to make a pirate copy legal" man he ain't just a kiddin.

 

[stlcardinals]

Why don't you just format and load the legit copy? By now, you could have had the legit copy running and all your programs installed.

 

[NJLOAD]

only for the reason I can't stand something beating me. But it looks like the only route to go.

thanks for all the help

 

[Swampster]

If your previous attempts have failed, you may be trying to use a key that doesn't match your installation.

Boot from your new CD and on the first screen select Install.
2nd screen, hit F8 to agree to EULS
3rd screeb will recognize that you already have an operating system installed and offer to repair it . . . select "r".

From there, it looks like a normal install, and you will be prompted for a Product Key at about 32 minutes. When finished, you will be right back to all your own apps and data as none of that is disturbed. Total Time, about 40 minutes on most systems.

Hope this helps.

 

[NJLOAD]

Thanks Swampster, if I have to do a clean install --- well then anything is worth a try first. I will even call MS first becaus the new CD is 100% legal.

thanks again

 

[tcsenter]

Does the computer have XP Professional on it? If you purchased an OEM version, but retail version media was used to install, it won't work. If you purchased a retail version, but OEM version media was used to install, it won't work. If some cracked/hacked/fracked corporate/volume version media was used to install, it won't work.

 

[NJLOAD]

The computer has XP Pro Corporate as they say version and I am trying to install Legal OEM version and nothing has worked. Tried everything and still same ole KEY. Lucky I don't need this change real quick. Never seen anything like it. How tough should it be to convert to a legal version of windows.

thanks for all the replys anyhow.,

 

[tcsenter]

You can't use an OEM key with corporate/volume media, whether its pirated or not. There are file differences that can affect authentication of product keys. And who knows what else the previous owner broke in Windows.

Windows does not just authenticate whether the product key matches Microsoft's secret decoder ring algorithm. It checks whether the key is correct for the installation media that was used. If you have broken binaries or executables that Windows uses for these checks, which is precisely the objective of cracks and other piracy schemes, you don't have a fully functional installation.

 

[RebateMonger]

I looked deeper into Microsoft's "legalization solutions" for non-genuine XP. First, the "Get Genuine" program was only for five licenses or more.

Microsoft also has (still?) a program where you can test your copy and purchase and download a copy of XP if you failt:

Genuine Microsoft Software Validation

Supposedly, if you "fail", you are offered the opportunity to buy and download a version of Windows that will fix your current installation. When this was introduced, the cost was about $150.

Other suggestions by Microsoft:

1) Have the person who sold you the PC fix the problem.
2) Buy a Retail version of XP and install it. Presumably they are referring to a "Repair Install" of XP, since they don't mention reformatting the drive.
3) Buy an OEM copy of XP, reformat your system partition, and install OEM XP.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I looked deeper into Microsoft's "legalization solutions" for non-genuine XP. First, the "Get Genuine" program was only for five licenses or more.

Those were for OEM system builders who ordered from authorized Microsoft distributors.

 

[NJLOAD]

Looks like the only solution is to format and install clean. I did a boot from the new CD and followed the repair process and it was wierd because after the re-boot it came up to a fresh desktop with none of my programs, I thought all was lost, during the repair process it asked for the new key and I entered it, but after a 2nd boot, my desktop appeared and when I opened KeyFinder the old key was still being used. Most interesting indeed. After doing the process I listed in the first post above I also was directed to the Genuine Microsoft Software Validation site and failed and was offered to buy a legal version of Windows. OH Well enough of this!!!

Thanks.

 

[Swampster]

Have patients . . . we can fix this!

Attempt to Activate over the Internet. When that fails, one of the options is to change the Product Key . . . follow this (using the new key from the product you just purchased), and try again.

If this is not successful, then try the telephone method. It will take you through an automated re-activation process. If it still fails, then you will be told to stand by to talk to a real person.

This is the part where PATIENTS comes into play! You will be talking to some underpaid and overworked support person over in India where Microsoft has outsourced this function. They can be a bit hard to understand, so listen carefully, be polite, and HAVE PATIENTS. If you insult this person excessively, they WILL hang up on you and then you have to start all over again.

If this person reaches the point where they say they cannot help you, then very nicely thank him for all his trouble and ask to be connected to someone who would have the authority to manually complete the Activation. You will be placed on hold for a few minutes and eventually get someone (who usually speaks better English) and you will have to explain it all over again and they will go over all the questions asked by the previous person (many of which will seem rather stupid given the explaination you have already given), and eventually they will get you back to the window where you will enter the Product Key they give you.

Now, all of this pre-supposes that you have: #1 - Successfully completed the Repair Reinstall I outlined in my original note, and #2 - You have actually purchased a legitimate copy and you have the Key from the CD case (retain version) or the Product Key Sticker (OEM version).

I usually get my problem resolved in either the automated re-activation process, or the first live person I talk to after that. I have only had to go the supervisor to finally get it fixed one time, and I have been in the computer service business for over 20 years, so I know this will work!

 

[lxskllr]

Why not keep using the pirated O/S until you're due for a reinstall? MS has their money, you have your O/S, everything's good, right?

 

[Cardio]

You cannot for any reason up date the authorization code on a copy of windows that has had the original code changed. Virtually all P copies of windows have undergone a code change using a Key change program. MS cannot even issue a legitimate code that will work even if you buy it from them. I can promise you this is gospel, if may be rather counter productive but is the way it is.

 

[NJLOAD]

If I have to do a clean install.....if I install on a new HD is there a way to transfer my programs and files only to the new HD? I've never use the file transfer wizzard thus the reason for asking.

 

[NJLOAD]

What a bunch of Crap! I called to activate made it all the way throught the automated voice response unit and repeated the nine groups of numbers, well then the VRU tells me to wait and I will be connected to a service rep. The service rep answeres the phone and askes me for the first group of numbers and then tells me to update the key and enter my key number, so I do and it fails, she then proceeds to tell me what to do and -----------DISCONECTED-------- DIAL TONE CITY.

lxskllr, your response looks like winner at this point. I ain't in the mood to do a reinstal on a 500gig drive with pictures, files and who knows what. %%#$$&^*(

 

[RebateMonger]

I can understand your frustration. I don't know if MS will be able to fix a "Volume-license-version" to "OEM-version" upgrade or not. It's not something that can be done without assistance from Microsoft.

The worst thing about re-installing from scratch is re-installing your applications. You SHOULD have backups of your data (if your data has any value to you), and fresh backups can be done overnight. Re-installing XP can be done in an hour or two.

The Windows updates can be a killer, but you don't need to be around for that. Presumably your newly-purchased OEM XP is a fairly recent version (the last one I bought was SP3).

Restoring your data files (music, photos, documents, etc.) from backups should also be a matter of telling your backup program what to restore and clicking "Start".

No, it's not fun, though. Blame the guy who pirated the software in the first place.