Installed XP using Retail and Retail key, Need to activate with LegitOEM key

[Christian Blackburn]

Hi Gang,

I installed Windows XP Home using an SP2 retail CD, because my XP Home
OEM CD is SP0. I temporarily used a retail key from a different
computer to get the installation to go. Once Windows was installed I
clicked the change product key button, but it won't accept a 100%
legit OEM key. Am I screwed beyond recognition, will I have to waste
another 3+ hours and reinstall/configure? Is there some file/registry
key I can replace with the OEM version to get past this?

Thanks,
Christian Blackburn

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I installed Windows XP Home using an SP2 retail CD, because my XP Home
OEM CD is SP0.

This doesn't make sense to me. There is an SP2 update available and this
update works for *both* OEM and Retail versions.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a

I temporarily used a retail key from a different computer to get the
installation to go. Once Windows was installed I clicked the change
product key button, but it won't accept a 100% legit OEM key.

Note that the product keys for OEM and Retail versions are different
and do not work vice versa.

Is there some file/registry key I can replace with the OEM version to
get past this?

Nope. You can't change a Retail version to an OEM version by tweaking
files or the registry.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I installed Windows XP Home using an SP2 retail CD, because my XP
Home OEM CD is SP0. I temporarily used a retail key from a
different computer to get the installation to go. Once Windows was
installed I clicked the change product key button, but it won't
accept a 100% legit OEM key. Am I screwed beyond recognition, will
I have to waste another 3+ hours and reinstall/configure? Is there
some file/registry key I can replace with the OEM version to get
past this?

Try this:

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi Gang,

I installed Windows XP Home using an SP2 retail CD, because my XP Home
OEM CD is SP0. I temporarily used a retail key from a different
computer to get the installation to go. Once Windows was installed I
clicked the change product key button, but it won't accept a 100%
legit OEM key.

That's to be expected. 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/license types cannot be
mixed & matched.

Am I screwed beyond recognition, will I have to waste
another 3+ hours and reinstall/configure?

Not quite, but close. You'll need use your OEM license of WinXP to
perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the OEM
CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Is there some file/registry
key I can replace with the OEM version to get past this?

No.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Christian Blackburn]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the help. I remembered the product key update tool
(KeyUpdateTool.exe) a day later on my own and used that .

Thanks,
Christian Blackburn