How to activate after 30 days is up

[Amir Facade]

I used my XP CD and Key to put XP on a friends computer, and told him that
he needed to buy his own before the 30 days was up so he could activate it.
He waited til it ran out and would not let him on.
He purchased his own now and wants to activate it. Can he still do this or
does he have to do a repair install and enter the new CD Key?

TIA, Amir

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

To activate, you'll need to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP and
perform a "Repair Install" using the new CD and Product Key that comes with it.

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

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

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


|I used my XP CD and Key to put XP on a friends computer, and told him that
| he needed to buy his own before the 30 days was up so he could activate it.
| He waited til it ran out and would not let him on.
| He purchased his own now and wants to activate it. Can he still do this or
| does he have to do a repair install and enter the new CD Key?
|
| TIA, Amir

 

[David B.]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but in order to perform a successful repair install, you have to use the same product key as the
original install, this has been my experience, a different key won't work. Is there not an option during activation to change the
product key?

 

[Amir Facade]

Sorry, I did it the hard way.
You are both wrong. (No offense intended.)
I put his new "Upgrade" disk in his computer and started it up.
Did a repair install from it and input his "new" CD key.
Then when it asked me to activate, I had to use the phone method, but it
went right thru on the first try.
I guess we all learn something new every day.
BTW Thank you very much for your prompt replies. The people in this NG
really care.

Thanks again, Amir

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but in order to perform a successful repair

install, you have to use the same product key as the

original install, this has been my experience, a different key won't work.

Is there not an option during activation to change the

product key?
--

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

To activate, you'll need to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP and
perform a "Repair Install" using the new CD and Product Key that comes with it.

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

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

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


|I used my XP CD and Key to put XP on a friends computer, and told him that
| he needed to buy his own before the 30 days was up so he could activate it.
| He waited til it ran out and would not let him on.
| He purchased his own now and wants to activate it. Can he still do this or
| does he have to do a repair install and enter the new CD Key?
|
| TIA, Amir

 

[Alex Nichol]

I used my XP CD and Key to put XP on a friends computer, and told him that
he needed to buy his own before the 30 days was up so he could activate it.
He waited til it ran out and would not let him on.
He purchased his own now and wants to activate it. Can he still do this or
does he have to do a repair install and enter the new CD Key?

He will have to boot to Safe Mode and from that run
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows

Take the option to Activate by phone. Just before actually phoning,
there is an opportunity to change key. Take it, OK, and cancel without
making the call. Then run again, and this time call the toll free
number that will be given - explaining briefly and swapping one long
number for another