update problem

[Johnny2bad]

Have tried to install windows xp service pack 1(sp1), but
have been told the product key used to install windows is
invalid.I,ve look up the problem myself and used the
start,run,REGEDIT route but there is no exsisting folder
there as windows problems told me there would be where i
could alter the windows update value number from 1 to 0
which would then allow updates to be downloaded.
Any offers of help please.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326904

 

[Maurice N]

Have tried to install windows xp service pack 1(sp1), but
have been told the product key used to install windows is
invalid.I,ve look up the problem myself and used the
start,run,REGEDIT route but there is no exsisting folder
there as windows problems told me there would be where i
could alter the windows update value number from 1 to 0
which would then allow updates to be downloaded.
Any offers of help please.

Bad johnny:
Can you at least use some spacing or punctuation in your posts? It is hard enough getting other people to figure out "your" problem, when they cannot see it first-hand !

Did you purchase Windows pre-loaded on a pc from a retail store? If so, the seller may have foisted on you a pirated Windows which cannot be updated.

If not, try to right down the exact "text of the fail message".

If you have any program that changes the splash screen, or
provides more styles by modifying the system files (especially Styles-XP), uninstall it.
Later on, look for an update from Tgtsoft at http://www.tgtsoft.com/download.php

Another to watch is ThemeXP from http://www.themexp.org. Uninstall & only use it if fully XP-compliant.

If you ever installed XP-Antispy, it disables a dll XP-SP1 needs, so
just in case, press Start - then choose Run and type
regsvr32 licdll.dll <enter>
regsvr32 regwizc.dll <enter>