Changing XP Keys for another

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G

Guest

Hi all.

I have a laptop that I don't have the Restore disk for. It is an XP Pro
system.
To rebuild the machine, I used our MSDN subscription and used the MSDN key
to install the product.

I have the real license, and I am unsure of how to convert the key to the
retail key or in this case the OEM key provided with the machine.

Any help is appreciated. I need to get this system back into our users hands
but I want to be able to activate it properly.
 
Oh,

Another question. I was told by Microsoft if I install using MSDN that only
a MSDN license key will work. A retail Key will not be allowed. Can I still
change the key??
 
You have two options:

Contact the manufacturer of the PC and order the appropriate Recovery CD
and use it with the PC's OEM Product Key.

Purchase a "Full Version" of Windows XP and perform a "Repair Install".

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

You have violated your MSDN license agreement by using your MSDN
license on a PC not owned by you.

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

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

:

| Hi all.
|
| I have a laptop that I don't have the Restore disk for. It is an XP Pro
| system.
| To rebuild the machine, I used our MSDN subscription and used the MSDN key
| to install the product.
|
| I have the real license, and I am unsure of how to convert the key to the
| retail key or in this case the OEM key provided with the machine.
|
| Any help is appreciated. I need to get this system back into our users hands
| but I want to be able to activate it properly.
| --
| Thanks,
|
| David
 
david said:
Hi all.

I have a laptop that I don't have the Restore disk for. It is an XP Pro
system.
To rebuild the machine, I used our MSDN subscription and used the MSDN key
to install the product.

I have the real license, and I am unsure of how to convert the key to the
retail key or in this case the OEM key provided with the machine.

Any help is appreciated. I need to get this system back into our users hands
but I want to be able to activate it properly.


You cannot change an MSDN installation into an OEM installation.
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 contact the computer's manufacturer to obtain the correct
OEM installation CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

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