Cannot change Product Key

[losl(removethis)]

Several months ago I purchased a used custom built desk top with WinXP
Pro SP1 installed. It was installed with a leaked Product Key (VLK) by
the original owner. Now I purchased a WInXP Pro from a retail store and
want to change the leaked VLK to the one in the cd folder. I followed
the instructions in MS KB328874
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874) exectly but it did not
accept the legit key. When i clicked the "update" button after enter the
the key in the "change product key" window it said it is "INCORRECT".
Ironically it accepts any leaked VLK's found in the Net.
How come this happened? I don't want to reformat my HD and reinstall the
OS. Please help me changing the Product Key. I called MS, format and
reinstall in the only solution.

Thank you very much for your reply!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

That article does not apply to you.
That only applies if new and old are both Volume License.

You need to perform a Repair Installation using the new CD and Product
Key:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

Several months ago I purchased a used custom built desk top with WinXP
Pro SP1 installed. It was installed with a leaked Product Key (VLK) by
the original owner. Now I purchased a WInXP Pro from a retail store
and want to change the leaked VLK to the one in the cd folder. I
followed the instructions in MS KB328874
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874) exectly but it did not
accept the legit key. When i clicked the "update" button after enter
the the key in the "change product key" window it said it is
"INCORRECT". Ironically it accepts any leaked VLK's found in the Net.
How come this happened? I don't want to reformat my HD and reinstall
the OS. Please help me changing the Product Key. I called MS, format
and reinstall in the only solution.

Thank you very much for your reply!

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Change Product key.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#need2
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Several months ago I purchased a used custom built desk top with
WinXP
Pro SP1 installed. It was installed with a leaked Product Key (VLK)
by
the original owner. Now I purchased a WInXP Pro from a retail store
and want to change the leaked VLK to the one in the cd folder. I
followed the instructions in MS KB328874
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874) exectly but it did not
accept the legit key. When i clicked the "update" button after enter
the the key in the "change product key" window it said it is
"INCORRECT". Ironically it accepts any leaked VLK's found in the
Net.
How come this happened? I don't want to reformat my HD and reinstall
the OS. Please help me changing the Product Key. I called MS, format
and reinstall in the only solution.

Thank you very much for your reply!

The method specified in thast KB article will work _only_ if the
you are trying to change from one VL Product Key to another VL Product
Key.

Instead, you're trying to replace a pirated VL version with a
_retail_ license. The Product Keys are not interchangeable.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for
any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and
vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full
version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with
an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be
mixed & matched.

You need to use your _legitimate_ full retail copy of WinXP Pro to
perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new
CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH

 

[losl(removethis)]

Thank you very much froyou explanation!
I will do an in-place upgrade tonight to solve the problem.

**************************************************************************
Stephen Lo, Vancouver, BC., CA.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH