I've been running XP Professional for the last couple of years and updated
the software with SR2. The original software was a copy which is no longer
recognized by the update site.

I recently purchased via EBay an OEM version of XP Professional with SR2 to
upgrade the system to a valid key code. My problem is probably self evident
by now.

The new key code is not recognized by my existing system. Any attempts to
change it including those of MS support staff have been fruitless.
Microsoft support has finally stated I need to reinstall XP Pro using the
new disk and key code. As a result, I will lose everything and have to
reinstall all my apps and data - 30 or more hours of work.

Can anyone suggest an option other than reinstallation? Thanks.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Donald Cook" wrote:

| I've been running XP Professional for the last couple of years and updated
| the software with SR2. The original software was a copy which is no longer
| recognized by the update site.
|
| I recently purchased via EBay an OEM version of XP Professional with SR2 to
| upgrade the system to a valid key code. My problem is probably self evident
| by now.
|
| The new key code is not recognized by my existing system. Any attempts to
| change it including those of MS support staff have been fruitless.
| Microsoft support has finally stated I need to reinstall XP Pro using the
| new disk and key code. As a result, I will lose everything and have to
| reinstall all my apps and data - 30 or more hours of work.
|
| Can anyone suggest an option other than reinstallation? Thanks.

"Donald Cook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:SKKYe.11417$i86.8078@trndny01...
> I've been running XP Professional for the last couple of years and updated
> the software with SR2. The original software was a copy which is no
> longer
> recognized by the update site.
>
> I recently purchased via EBay an OEM version of XP Professional with SR2
> to
> upgrade the system to a valid key code. My problem is probably self
> evident
> by now.
>
> The new key code is not recognized by my existing system. Any attempts to
> change it including those of MS support staff have been fruitless.
> Microsoft support has finally stated I need to reinstall XP Pro using the
> new disk and key code. As a result, I will lose everything and have to
> reinstall all my apps and data - 30 or more hours of work.
>
> Can anyone suggest an option other than reinstallation? Thanks.
>
>

An oem version will only do a clean install, and if your current install
isn't oem, the new key won't match your old version. A full retail version,
though, could do a repair install, but it's certainly going to cost more
that whatever you paid on ebay. I guess it depends on what your 30 hours is
worth.

Are you sure the ebay copy is legit? That could be another problem.
>

In news:SKKYe.11417$i86.8078@trndny01,
Donald Cook <(E-Mail Removed)> replied with a ;-)
> I've been running XP Professional for the last couple of years and
> updated the software with SR2. The original software was a copy
> which is no longer recognized by the update site.
>
> I recently purchased via EBay an OEM version of XP Professional with
> SR2 to upgrade the system to a valid key code. My problem is
> probably self evident by now.
>
> The new key code is not recognized by my existing system. Any
> attempts to change it including those of MS support staff have been
> fruitless. Microsoft support has finally stated I need to reinstall
> XP Pro using the new disk and key code. As a result, I will lose
> everything and have to reinstall all my apps and data - 30 or more
> hours of work.
> Can anyone suggest an option other than reinstallation? Thanks.


Try these options.
I need to change my XP Product KEY #18 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html

If unseccessfull, try

Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(E-Mail Removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/ou...snewreader.htm

The OEM version is legit... Have Microsoft's blessing, but no help in
solving my problem. I probably don't need as many applications installed as
I do. Had some great answers to my problem from someone in another forum
which will probably work. Thanks.


"D.Currie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Donald Cook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:SKKYe.11417$i86.8078@trndny01...
>> I've been running XP Professional for the last couple of years and
>> updated
>> the software with SR2. The original software was a copy which is no
>> longer
>> recognized by the update site.
>>
>> I recently purchased via EBay an OEM version of XP Professional with SR2
>> to
>> upgrade the system to a valid key code. My problem is probably self
>> evident
>> by now.
>>
>> The new key code is not recognized by my existing system. Any attempts
>> to
>> change it including those of MS support staff have been fruitless.
>> Microsoft support has finally stated I need to reinstall XP Pro using the
>> new disk and key code. As a result, I will lose everything and have to
>> reinstall all my apps and data - 30 or more hours of work.
>>
>> Can anyone suggest an option other than reinstallation? Thanks.
>>
>>
>
> An oem version will only do a clean install, and if your current install
> isn't oem, the new key won't match your old version. A full retail
> version, though, could do a repair install, but it's certainly going to
> cost more that whatever you paid on ebay. I guess it depends on what your
> 30 hours is worth.
>
> Are you sure the ebay copy is legit? That could be another problem.
>>
>
>

The OEM version is legit... Have Microsoft's blessing, but no help in
solving my problem. I probably don't need as many applications installed as
I do. Had some great answers to my problem from someone in another forum
which will probably work. Thanks.


"D.Currie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Donald Cook" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:SKKYe.11417$i86.8078@trndny01...
>> I've been running XP Professional for the last couple of years and
>> updated
>> the software with SR2. The original software was a copy which is no
>> longer
>> recognized by the update site.
>>
>> I recently purchased via EBay an OEM version of XP Professional with SR2
>> to
>> upgrade the system to a valid key code. My problem is probably self
>> evident
>> by now.
>>
>> The new key code is not recognized by my existing system. Any attempts
>> to
>> change it including those of MS support staff have been fruitless.
>> Microsoft support has finally stated I need to reinstall XP Pro using the
>> new disk and key code. As a result, I will lose everything and have to
>> reinstall all my apps and data - 30 or more hours of work.
>>
>> Can anyone suggest an option other than reinstallation? Thanks.
>>
>>
>
> An oem version will only do a clean install, and if your current install
> isn't oem, the new key won't match your old version. A full retail
> version, though, could do a repair install, but it's certainly going to
> cost more that whatever you paid on ebay. I guess it depends on what your
> 30 hours is worth.
>
> Are you sure the ebay copy is legit? That could be another problem.
>>
>
>