-----Original Message-----
I have installed WinXP Home Edition with legal product
key and now I want to change it with another one.
How can I deactivate WinXP and reactivate it again?
Every time when I try to modify it i have
message "windows is already activated"
What should I do to fix this problem?
Best Regards
.
If you change the key you will need to reactivate with the
new key. The old key will not be able to be used again on
another system without calling MS. If the old key is an
OEM key, you will not be able to get it re-activated on
any other machine.
To modify your WinXP CD-Key go to this MS site and follow
the instructions:
http://tinyurl.com/23yg
The CD-Key can also be changed while doing a full WinXP
repair:
1) Start WinXP setup from DOS (Win9x boot disk) or boot
from WinXP CD.
2) Setup will ask if you want to Install Windows or
Repair. SELECT INSTALL.
3) Setup should find your existing WinXP system(hopefully)
4) Select the WinXP system that was found and now select
Repair.
Setup will repair WinXP. Use the new CD-Key during setup.
If SP1 was installed prior to the repair, it will need to
be-installed again since the repair process removes SP1.
This is not the case though if a Slipstreamed version of
SP1 was used (SP1 built-in the WinXP CD and is either self-
made or bought that way).
For more info look at this MS knowledgebase article:
http://tinyurl.com/176b
Also see this site for details in needed:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Hope this helps!
Gary Thorn
MVP-Windows Technologies/Xbox
Associate Expert
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers no rights
More about the Windows XP Expert Zone:
More about the MS MVP Program:
http://tinyurl.com/n08