Changing an XP Pro VLK to an OEM XP Pro key

[geeorama]

I have read that you can change a VLK to an OEM key by doing a repair
install from the OEM CD. I have also read that sometimes this doesn't
work and all sorts of problems occur. Is there a way of changing keys
without doing a repair/reinstall/etc?. I have used Keyfinder but MS
won't validate the legit OEM CD key as my version has a VLK. I need to
do this to accomodate the Windows Genuine Advantage.

Thanks

 

[Larry Samuels]

You will have to do the repair install.

How to do a repair install on Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

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[Bruce Chambers]

I have read that you can change a VLK to an OEM key by doing a repair
install from the OEM CD. I have also read that sometimes this doesn't
work and all sorts of problems occur. Is there a way of changing keys
without doing a repair/reinstall/etc?.

Short of formatting the hard drive and performing a clean installation,
no, there isn't.

I have used Keyfinder but MS
won't validate the legit OEM CD key as my version has a VLK. I need to
do this to accomodate the Windows Genuine Advantage.

Correct. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD and/or 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.


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Bruce Chambers

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[dalesyk]

Short of formatting the hard drive and performing a clean installation,
no, there isn't.



Correct. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD and/or 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.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Bruce,
I ran into a similar problem. A friend has a virus infected Compaq
Presario PC that came with WinXP home. The restore cd is missing/lost.
I decided to purchase an oem xp cd/license from a local computer shop
and use the cd to reinstall WinXP home but use the product key from the
Presario system. The key is accepted but is "invalid" when activating
online. I repartitioned before reinstalling so nothing is left on the
drive. From your explanation of product keys matching only certain
cds, I'm not sure what I should try next. I'd rather not shell out
$20+ and wait days for a recovery CD from Compaq. Is there a way to
alter the OEM cd image to make it match Compaq or other sub licensee
product keys?

Thanks,

Dale

 

[kurttrail]

I have read that you can change a VLK to an OEM key by doing a repair
install from the OEM CD. I have also read that sometimes this doesn't
work and all sorts of problems occur. Is there a way of changing keys
without doing a repair/reinstall/etc?. I have used Keyfinder but MS
won't validate the legit OEM CD key as my version has a VLK. I need to
do this to accomodate the Windows Genuine Advantage.

Thanks

What do you need WGA for? Certainly not to keep up with security
updates!

Learn how to patch your OS with Common Sense Computing:

http://comsense.microscum.com

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Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[Kerry Brown]

There may be a couple of additional steps when going from a VL key to an OEM
key. See #18 in the following link.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#reisxp

I'd try booting from the OEM CD first and see if the normal repair install
option is available. If not follow the above procedure.

Backup your data before starting the repair install.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce,
I ran into a similar problem. A friend has a virus infected Compaq
Presario PC that came with WinXP home. The restore cd is missing/lost.
I decided to purchase an oem xp cd/license from a local computer shop
and use the cd to reinstall WinXP home but use the product key from the
Presario system. The key is accepted but is "invalid" when activating
online. I repartitioned before reinstalling so nothing is left on the
drive. From your explanation of product keys matching only certain
cds, I'm not sure what I should try next. I'd rather not shell out
$20+ and wait days for a recovery CD from Compaq. Is there a way to
alter the OEM cd image to make it match Compaq or other sub licensee
product keys?

Have you tried activating by telephone? Some time ago, Microsoft
disabled the CDs/Product Keys from most major OEMs from activating via
the Internet. (This was in response to the large number of the branded
OEM CDs being illegally (without the computer) resold vis eBay, computer
fairs, etc. A 5 minute phone call should clear this up.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I have read that you can change a VLK to an OEM key by doing a repair
install from the OEM CD. I have also read that sometimes this doesn't
work and all sorts of problems occur. Is there a way of changing keys
without doing a repair/reinstall/etc?. I have used Keyfinder but MS
won't validate the legit OEM CD key as my version has a VLK. I need to
do this to accomodate the Windows Genuine Advantage.

Thanks

The procedure is covered in the link below.
I need to change my XP Product KEY #18 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#018
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Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
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http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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