I've been running a non-legit version of XP Pro SP2 and recently found out
that my college had an MSDNAA partnership, giving us, among other things,
free access to legit versions of XP Pro SP2.

Trying to re-activate with:
c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
.... and the new, legit key (volume license) doesn't work. I've been told
that I have to re-install from scratch with the new key to be genuine.

Is there a way around this? Is there anyway to download the "Windows Product
Key Update Tool," or is it some ActiveX control that appears only after you
purchase a key on Microsoft's website?

Phillip Roncoroni wrote:

> I've been running a non-legit version of XP Pro SP2 and recently
> found out that my college had an MSDNAA partnership, giving us, among
> other things, free access to legit versions of XP Pro SP2.
>
> Trying to re-activate with:
> c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
> ... and the new, legit key (volume license) doesn't work. I've been
> told that I have to re-install from scratch with the new key to be
> genuine.
> Is there a way around this? Is there anyway to download the "Windows
> Product Key Update Tool," or is it some ActiveX control that appears
> only after you purchase a key on Microsoft's website?

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#18

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

Hi,

You can do a repair installation with the legit copy, but you cannot simply
substitute the new key. There is no way around this, though it doesn't have
to be a "clean" installation. Simply do an "in place upgrade" with the legit
version and product key. The only time you can change the key without
reinstalling is with volume license versions.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"Phillip Roncoroni" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newscg_f.2984$yg2.1009@trndny02...
> I've been running a non-legit version of XP Pro SP2 and recently found out
> that my college had an MSDNAA partnership, giving us, among other things,
> free access to legit versions of XP Pro SP2.
>
> Trying to re-activate with:
> c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
> ... and the new, legit key (volume license) doesn't work. I've been told
> that I have to re-install from scratch with the new key to be genuine.
>
> Is there a way around this? Is there anyway to download the "Windows
> Product Key Update Tool," or is it some ActiveX control that appears only
> after you purchase a key on Microsoft's website?
>

You will need to perform a repair install with the legal CD and key to avoid
losing everything.

How to do a repair install on Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone- www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
"Phillip Roncoroni" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newscg_f.2984$yg2.1009@trndny02...
> I've been running a non-legit version of XP Pro SP2 and recently found out
> that my college had an MSDNAA partnership, giving us, among other things,
> free access to legit versions of XP Pro SP2.
>
> Trying to re-activate with:
> c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
> ... and the new, legit key (volume license) doesn't work. I've been told
> that I have to re-install from scratch with the new key to be genuine.
>
> Is there a way around this? Is there anyway to download the "Windows
> Product Key Update Tool," or is it some ActiveX control that appears only
> after you purchase a key on Microsoft's website?
>