How can I fix this licensing problem?

[plh]

I recently bought a used computer which originally came from Gateway.
There is a Win98 SE Certificate of Authenticity on the side, but it
has XP Pro, so I assume someone loaded that up after the fact. I went
on the Internet to get updates, and a message told me the license is
invalid. I have a legit XP Pro upgrade package. Is there some way to
apply the license from that package to the new/old computer? I have
heard that there is, but how? Is it terribly difficult?
And out of curiosity, how would a situation like this come about?
Failure to register XP Pro in a timely fashion? Loading of up a copy
that was bogus to begin with? Too many re-loadings from the same
upgrade package? I would greatly appreciate any clarifying
information.
Thank You,
-plh

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update to SP1:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

You'll have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

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

Is Your Copy of Windows Legal?
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


|I recently bought a used computer which originally came from Gateway.
| There is a Win98 SE Certificate of Authenticity on the side, but it
| has XP Pro, so I assume someone loaded that up after the fact. I went
| on the Internet to get updates, and a message told me the license is
| invalid. I have a legit XP Pro upgrade package. Is there some way to
| apply the license from that package to the new/old computer? I have
| heard that there is, but how? Is it terribly difficult?
| And out of curiosity, how would a situation like this come about?
| Failure to register XP Pro in a timely fashion? Loading of up a copy
| that was bogus to begin with? Too many re-loadings from the same
| upgrade package? I would greatly appreciate any clarifying
| information.
| Thank You,
| -plh

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Because the pirated version of XP is the Professional version it is possible
to change to a legitimate product key without reinstalling providing you
have a non OEM product key for XP Pro which you say you have. Download this
little app http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/keyfinder.exe and run it. It will
display the current Product Key on your system. Go to Options->Change Key.
Enter your legit XP Pro key. Then reboot. You will be prompted to activate.
Activation should go through with no problem.

The keyfinder linked to above does nothing illegal. It simplifies the
process that Microsoft has outlined here
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q328874