change product key code?

[peter]

My PC crashed, with it the restore partition as well.

So I put in a new drive, and use a retail winXP to install. At first I enter
the product key code from the sticker on the PC, but it won't accept, so I
have to use the product key code from the retail winXP itself.

I plan to order a restore CD from HP. When it arrives, what do I have to do
to use the product key code from the sticker on the PC, so I won't have to
use up the install on the retail winXP?

Obviously, I don't want to re-install winXP from scratch.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Try using the Windows Product Key Update Tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

My PC crashed, with it the restore partition as well.

So I put in a new drive, and use a retail winXP to install. At first I enter
the product key code from the sticker on the PC, but it won't accept, so I
have to use the product key code from the retail winXP itself.

I plan to order a restore CD from HP. When it arrives, what do I have to do
to use the product key code from the sticker on the PC, so I won't have to
use up the install on the retail winXP?

Obviously, I don't want to re-install winXP from scratch.

 

[smlunatick]

Try using the Windows Product Key Update Tool:http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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


My PC crashed, with it the restore partition as well.

So I put in a new drive, and use a retail winXP to install. At first I enter
the product key code from the sticker on the PC, but it won't accept, so I
have to use the product key code from the retail winXP itself.

I plan to order a restore CD from HP. When it arrives, what do I have to do
to use the product key code from the sticker on the PC, so I won't have to
use up the install on the retail winXP?

Obviously, I don't want to re-install winXP from scratch.

Usually, when changing from Retail CD key to an OEM CD key, this does
not seem to be possible. XP has a special "core" file that tells the
system which type of CD key to accept. The CD keys are not
interchangeable between versions.