Product key and activation question

[Mark C]

I may have made a mistake... I have one licensed copy of
Windows XP home installed on one computer. I bought a
second computer that I built using some spare parts
laying around and new parts that I got in. I have on
order another copy of Windows XP home from PC Mall but it
hasnt come in yet. I went ahead and used my original
copy of Windows XP home to install it on the new machine
using the same product key for both machines. I did NOT
register the second machine, as it says I have 30 days to
register before it deactivates Windows. My thinking was
that when the second copy of Win XP that I have on order
comes in, that it should be a simple thing to change the
registration code to reflect the new copy and then
activate it over the internet. My friend says that he
doesnt think it works that way, and that I may have to do
a complete reinstall to burn the new registration key
code in.

Does anybody know if this is so, or will I be able to
activate this new system without doing a complete
reinstall. I'd hate to have to do that, as I have
already installed all the extra layered 3rd party
software on this new machine.

Did I screw up????

tia,
Mark

 

[Jason Tsang]

You can change the product key before activating.

Download the Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder from here
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Within that program, goto Options, Change Window Key and put in the cd key
of the new copy of Windows that you are getting. Then goto Start, All
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Activate Windows and then activate
windows through there.

 

[peter]

You can change the product key before activating.

Download the Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder from here
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Within that program, goto Options, Change Window Key and put in the cd key
of the new copy of Windows that you are getting. Then goto Start, All
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Activate Windows and then activate
windows through there.

A somewhat related question: Is it possible to de-activate the product, change the product
key, then activate it again?

I accidentally activated two installations of winXP using the same product key. I have two
copies of winXP, but because I couldn't tell which copy was installed on which PC, I
picked the wrong product key when I clean installed one of the PC.

What should I do?

 

[Jason Tsang]

Download the Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder from here
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

You can see what cd key you used on the computer that you are running the
program on.

Use the other cd key on the other computer.

If you need to change the cd key, within the keyfinder program, goto
Options, Change Window Key and put in the cd key of the new copy of Windows
that you are getting. Then goto Start, All Programs, Accessories, System
Tools, Activate Windows and then activate windows through there.