Changing Product Key

[Paul T]

I have had to repair a Windows XP Pro installation, but
although I have the key and proof of purchase for the
software I don't have the CD. To work around this I used
my own CD, but the license key was not accepted. Having
used my own license key to facilitate the repair I would
like to make sure that the correct key is stored in the
registry, but it seems the Windows is determined not to
let me do this.

I have followed the instructions in Microsoft Knowledge
Base Article - 328874 which describe modifying a registry
key and then rerunning the activation wizard.
Unfortunately even if I modify the key the wizard tells me
Windows is already activated. If I check the registry
again I can confirm that the key has changed, but if I
reboot to try to run the activation wizard again the key
gets reset to its original value.

I did try to use the correct key during the activation
immediately following the recovery, but again it refused
to accept it. I am guessing that this is due to the number
of different versions of the Windows XP Pro CD that are
around and not having the matching one for the recovery.

Is there any way for me to get the correct key back into
the registry or do I have to leave the machine with a miss-
match between real license and the one recorded on the
machine? The last thing I want is problems with either my
machine or my customers machine due to licensing.
Unfortunately when I try to use the Microsoft support site
for more than the basic knowledge base articles it tells
me to go to my OEM reseller - that's me, and so far I seem
to have less support resources available to me than an end
user! Now where is my Linux CD ;-)
..

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Paul,

2 things

If you are the OEM then you are aware of your responsibility to be able to
provide support of an appropriate level to those you supply systems too.

To correct the problem you have on the PC you need to do a repair install
using the proper media and key.
OEM keys and Retail keys are not interchangeable between OEM and Retail
media.


--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Paul T]

2 things

If you are the OEM then you are aware of your responsibility to be able to
provide support of an appropriate level to those you supply systems too.

To correct the problem you have on the PC you need to do a repair install
using the proper media and key.
OEM keys and Retail keys are not interchangeable between OEM and Retail
media.

I am indeed, but this particular system is not one I supplied myself. To
date 100% of my customers prefer to go with Windows 98 on the desktop or
Linux on the server for systems I have supplied. I am now having to
force them across to XP given the demise of 98.

So from what you are saying I need to purchase a copy of the retail
version of the software in order to fix the installation properly.

To follow on from this, is there an easy way to identify what version of
XP is installed on a machine - noting that when I get involved there is
frequently a problem already and the original CD is not always
available. Given that my supplier of OEM packs is unlikely to be tier 1
(I am only a small company) how do I ensure I have the necessary
resources available (CD wise mainly). Is there a definative list of
different versions supplied on CD? (i.e. XP Home, XP Home OEM, XP Home
upgrade, XP Home SP1, XP Home OEM SP1, XP Home upgrade SP1, and matching
for XP Pro). Having just typed that out it looks likely to cost a small
fortune!

 

[Paul T]

I am indeed, but this particular system is not one I supplied myself. To
date 100% of my customers prefer to go with Windows 98 on the desktop or
Linux on the server for systems I have supplied. I am now having to
force them across to XP given the demise of 98.

So from what you are saying I need to purchase a copy of the retail
version of the software in order to fix the installation properly.

To follow on from this, is there an easy way to identify what version of
XP is installed on a machine - noting that when I get involved there is
frequently a problem already and the original CD is not always
available. Given that my supplier of OEM packs is unlikely to be tier 1
(I am only a small company) how do I ensure I have the necessary
resources available (CD wise mainly). Is there a definative list of
different versions supplied on CD? (i.e. XP Home, XP Home OEM, XP Home
upgrade, XP Home SP1, XP Home OEM SP1, XP Home upgrade SP1, and matching
for XP Pro). Having just typed that out it looks likely to cost a small
fortune!

Ignore part of that last bit, I see how to identify which version it is
from the license sticker having refered back to my own copy. I will
assume that having the service pack on the CD will not affect the
usability of the CD as far as license keys go (except for a batch I've
seen referred to that have been disabled due to piracy, so if I come
across them they won't be supported). Hopefully the upgrade CD uses the
same keys as the retail one.

This leaves the infuriating problem that I am unable to fix this Windows
XP install because I don't have a copy of the retial version of the CD.
From speaking to suppliers the only way to get a copy of the CD appears
to be to purchase a full retail pack at around £250.

This leaves me to decide whether to loose money by purchasing the
necessary media (including a license I don't need), 'break' the
licensing agreement (by having a license installed twice, although this
is a technicality as there is a license for the second machine), or
dissapoint the customer (and explain that the Microsoft licensing and
copy protection systems mean that I am unable to fix their PC because
they have lost the CD).

Frustrating to say the least! Please tell me there's another option.

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Tell the customer that there are consequences for their actions (losing the
Windows XP CD).