Converting Counterfeit to Legitimate

[Guest]

Hello Microsoft Lovers!

Just a question, and I hope it doesn't incur the wrath of all the
I-love-microsoft-so-don't-pirate-our-shit cronies.

I'm a system builder and have built probably a couple dozen computers using
my Windows XP SP2 Corporate unattended setup CD.

Ouch, I can just feel it. The anti's are just red under the collar with
what I just said *BUT*, here's the catch: When I built the systems, I
bought a legitimate OEM version with a CD Key sticker stuck right on the box
and everything. Please let's not argue this point, so I'll say it once and
hopefully never again: I KNOW I SCREWED UP WITH THE WAY I INSTALLED IT, BUT
THEY ARE INDEED LEGITIMATE AND MICRO$OFT ARE STILL GETTING A HOT MEAL AND
MOUNTAIN DEW (That is the favorite beverage of software engineers, right?).


This didn't seem like such a bad thing to do a couple years ago, but with
the advent of WGA, I'd obviously like to convert corporate into end-user
version and make their legitimate CD-Key work.

What's the best way? I heard someone say you have to re-install using the
repair tool, but isn't there a way to do it quicker, like a program or
something like that?

And please, please please please friggin' PLEASE, don't tell me something I
shouldn't not have done, as the batteries in my time machine are currently
dead and I cannot return to time before now to fix my errors.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Regards,
Michael

 

[Harry Ohrn MS MVP]

The problem is simply this - the "corporate version" is based on a volume
licensed version of XP Pro. Because of this the only way to easily change
the key is by using a compatible key. The only keys compatible with volume
licensed or "corporate versions" are other volume license keys. This means
that you can't use an OEM key.

If you have an OEM version of XP Pro you might be able to do an in place
repair install overtop of the illegit version and when asked for the Product
Key use the legit key but not all OEM versions of XP will do an upgrade. So
I think you are screwed. There is no easy fix.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Try the following:

The Genuine Advantage Product Key Update Tool is only valid for
users attempting to change their current non-genuine Product Key
to a genuine COA sticker or genuine Product Key - all without a reinstall! http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=50346&clcid=0x409


If this utility does not work in your situation, you can try a "Repair Install".
And if that does not work, your last option is to perform a "Clean Install".

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

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

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

:

| Hello Microsoft Lovers!
|
| Just a question, and I hope it doesn't incur the wrath of all the
| I-love-microsoft-so-don't-pirate-our-shit cronies.
|
| I'm a system builder and have built probably a couple dozen computers using
| my Windows XP SP2 Corporate unattended setup CD.
|
| Ouch, I can just feel it. The anti's are just red under the collar with
| what I just said *BUT*, here's the catch: When I built the systems, I
| bought a legitimate OEM version with a CD Key sticker stuck right on the box
| and everything. Please let's not argue this point, so I'll say it once and
| hopefully never again: I KNOW I SCREWED UP WITH THE WAY I INSTALLED IT, BUT
| THEY ARE INDEED LEGITIMATE AND MICRO$OFT ARE STILL GETTING A HOT MEAL AND
| MOUNTAIN DEW (That is the favorite beverage of software engineers, right?).
|
|
| This didn't seem like such a bad thing to do a couple years ago, but with
| the advent of WGA, I'd obviously like to convert corporate into end-user
| version and make their legitimate CD-Key work.
|
| What's the best way? I heard someone say you have to re-install using the
| repair tool, but isn't there a way to do it quicker, like a program or
| something like that?
|
| And please, please please please friggin' PLEASE, don't tell me something I
| shouldn't not have done, as the batteries in my time machine are currently
| dead and I cannot return to time before now to fix my errors.
|
| Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
|
| Regards,
| Michael

 

[Michael Stevens]

Hello Microsoft Lovers!

Just a question, and I hope it doesn't incur the wrath of all the
I-love-microsoft-so-don't-pirate-our-shit cronies.

I'm a system builder and have built probably a couple dozen computers
using
my Windows XP SP2 Corporate unattended setup CD.

Ouch, I can just feel it. The anti's are just red under the collar with
what I just said *BUT*, here's the catch: When I built the systems, I
bought a legitimate OEM version with a CD Key sticker stuck right on the
box
and everything. Please let's not argue this point, so I'll say it once
and
hopefully never again: I KNOW I SCREWED UP WITH THE WAY I INSTALLED IT,
BUT
THEY ARE INDEED LEGITIMATE AND MICRO$OFT ARE STILL GETTING A HOT MEAL AND
MOUNTAIN DEW (That is the favorite beverage of software engineers,
right?).


This didn't seem like such a bad thing to do a couple years ago, but with
the advent of WGA, I'd obviously like to convert corporate into end-user
version and make their legitimate CD-Key work.

What's the best way? I heard someone say you have to re-install using the
repair tool, but isn't there a way to do it quicker, like a program or
something like that?

And please, please please please friggin' PLEASE, don't tell me something
I
shouldn't not have done, as the batteries in my time machine are currently
dead and I cannot return to time before now to fix my errors.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Regards,
Michael

I need to change my XP Product KEY #18 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#018
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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