how can I change the key for XP?

[gs]

I accidentally entered the wrong key during install. XP OS has not been
activated yet.
How can get the proper key in before activation? or do I have to start
install all over?

 

[Galen]

In gs <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

I accidentally entered the wrong key during install. XP OS has not
been activated yet.
How can get the proper key in before activation? or do I have to start
install all over?

The easiest way would be to do a repair installation. There are a few other
ways listed out there but this is the only one that I've ever personally
tried. Seeing as how it's not activated you could likely try to activate it
though and when it tells you that it can't activate you'll be given an
option to change the key. But, a repair installation's the only method I've
used.

Repair Installation of XP:
http://kgiii.info/windows/XP/general/xprepair.html

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Go to the activation screen.
Choose the option to phone for activation.
On the bottom of the next screen press "Change Product Key"
Follow the prompts.

 

[gs]

Thank you.

I guess I will have to re-apply all service packs, right?

 

[Galen]

In gs <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

Thank you.

I guess I will have to re-apply all service packs, right?

You can try the method of changing the key during the activation process. As
I'd mentioned I'd never used that method so I can't vouch for it's
functionality, ease of use, etc. Other people seem to have used it so I'd
give it a try seeing as you've not activated yet. Beyond that, yes, if you
do a repair installation you will need to install any updates all over
again.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes

 

[gs]

thank you.

In gs <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:


You can try the method of changing the key during the activation process.
As I'd mentioned I'd never used that method so I can't vouch for it's
functionality, ease of use, etc. Other people seem to have used it so I'd
give it a try seeing as you've not activated yet. Beyond that, yes, if you
do a repair installation you will need to install any updates all over
again.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes