Re-Installing XP Pro To Reset The Product ID

[Tim]

Hi, I have a situation where I need to change the product key that XP
Pro was installed with. I tried the MS KB 328874, but it will not accept
the code as valid, although MS has confirmed it is a good code, And I
tried it on a test bed bed system and it worked there as well.

So I thought maybe I could re-install XP over top itself, like we do
with Win 98 to cure core problems with the O/S. I'd like to keep the
existing environment intact and just change that Product Key. The
current product key was one of the invalid ones, and does not match the
sticker on the case.

Any useful input is greatly apprecitaed.

- Tim -

 

[D.Currie]

Hi, I have a situation where I need to change the product key that XP
Pro was installed with. I tried the MS KB 328874, but it will not accept
the code as valid, although MS has confirmed it is a good code, And I
tried it on a test bed bed system and it worked there as well.

So I thought maybe I could re-install XP over top itself, like we do
with Win 98 to cure core problems with the O/S. I'd like to keep the
existing environment intact and just change that Product Key. The
current product key was one of the invalid ones, and does not match the
sticker on the case.

Any useful input is greatly apprecitaed.

- Tim -

Every time I've done a repair install, it has asked for the product key. If
you use a different key than what's already on there, it should also trigger
activation.

After the repair install, you'll have to reinstall any critical updates, but
everything else should remain intact.

Also, when I've tried installing a pre-SP1 version on top of something
that's been updated to SP1, I've run into some oddities, but nothing that I
couldn't deal with.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Tim,

Do a repair installation with the valid Product Key. Follow these steps to
do a repair install which should preserve your data, settings, and programs:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM
drive.
2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start
from
the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
3. At the "Welcome to Setup" page, press ENTER.
4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want
to
repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

Note that you will need your new Product Key for this procedure, so have it
handy before you begin.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone