Changing My reg key without re-install?

[Guest]

I had a virus outbreak and had to format my c drive. I have a valid working reg key i got when i purchased my product. IT WONT WORK. It says i have an invalid reg key. I think this may be due to the fact that i had to use a friends windows XP disk since mine is broken. Now that i have windows XP installed using his reg key how do i change my information to my reg key?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You can't change the Product Key since you apparently
have an OEM Product Key. You have two options:

1. Contact your computer manufacturer and request a CD replacement
and perform a "repair install" using that CD and YOUR Product Key.

2. Purchase a new retail Product Key and change it if you used a "retail"
Product Key and Windows XP CD.

HOW TO: Change the Product Key at the Time of Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892&Product=winxp

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp

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

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

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| I had a virus outbreak and had to format my c drive. I have a valid working reg key i got when i purchased
my product. IT WONT WORK. It says i have an invalid reg key. I think this may be due to the fact that i had to
use a friends windows XP disk since mine is broken. Now that i have windows XP installed using his reg key how
do i change my information to my reg key?

 

[Guest]

no actually the problem is this, i bought a win xp upgrade cd which is now broken. I used my friends windows xp full installation (not upgrade) cd and his reg code. I cant use my reg code with his cd for some reason says invalid reg key. Now my windows update wont work vcause its his cd key not mine. i cant fix this unless i spend another 100 bucks for another upgrade cd??????? BS if im giving MS any more money than i already have. and no its not an OEM cd just the upgrade.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

1. You cannot use an upgrade Product Key (license) with a "full version" CD.
You never paid for a "full license".

2. Give Microsoft a quick call and request a Windows ME CD replacement.

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];326246

3. If Windows Update won't allow you to install SP1 using your friends
Product Key, its because your friend does not have a legitimate Product Key.

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

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

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

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


| no actually the problem is this, i bought a win xp upgrade cd which is now broken. I used my friends windows
xp full installation (not upgrade) cd and his reg code. I cant use my reg code with his cd for some reason
says invalid reg key. Now my windows update wont work vcause its his cd key not mine. i cant fix this unless i
spend another 100 bucks for another upgrade cd??????? BS if im giving MS any more money than i already have.
and no its not an OEM cd just the upgrade.

 

[Kevin]

From what I can tell, your friend has an illegal version
of Windows XP. Im not sure, but you MAY be able to change
your Key using this website.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;810892&Product=winxp


It could be possible for you to change the key back to
your own via this method. Unfortunately, if it doesnt
work, and you no longer have your Widnows XP install CD,
you could be out of luck unless you contact your computer
vendor or maker and request another CD from them.
Otherwise, I dont know what to tell you...




Kev

 

[Guest]

You know, when a company charges you 35 bucks to support their product, which you already paid 100 bucks for and then on top of that have to pay for the replacement cd, thats when you become one of those awefull people using P2P software and decide not to pay MS another friggin red cent

Red Fraggle (Worlds Newest Pirate!)

 

[Guest]

finally an answer, even if it "May" only work

Can ya help me out kevin with which links to go to on that page

----- Kevin wrote: ----

From what I can tell, your friend has an illegal version
of Windows XP. Im not sure, but you MAY be able to change
your Key using this website

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en
us;810892&Product=winx


It could be possible for you to change the key back to
your own via this method. Unfortunately, if it doesnt
work, and you no longer have your Widnows XP install CD,
you could be out of luck unless you contact your computer
vendor or maker and request another CD from them.
Otherwise, I dont know what to tell you..




Ke

 

[Guest]

Kevin actually his version is a lisc. copy its just that his cd is the windows xp pro full install and mine and therefore my key was for windows xp pro upgrade.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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. Product Keys and CDs cannot be mixed & matched.

Have you considered the glaringly obvious solution -- replacing
your broken CD?

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



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having both at once. -- RAH

no actually the problem is this, i bought a win xp upgrade cd which

is now broken. I used my friends windows xp full installation (not
upgrade) cd and his reg code. I cant use my reg code with his cd for
some reason says invalid reg key. Now my windows update wont work
vcause its his cd key not mine. i cant fix this unless i spend another
100 bucks for another upgrade cd??????? BS if im giving MS any more
money than i already have. and no its not an OEM cd just the upgrade.