Putting right a wrong version of XP?

[Pete1]

Some months ago I helped a friend of a friend by re-installing XP Pro on his
machine. He had the coa for it on the side of the computer but did not have
the original CD or a HDD partition with the os on. So I installed XP from a
disk I had and thought that I would just input the key from the coa, but it
didn't accept his licenced numbers. So I fed in the numbers that were
handwritten on my CD. You can probably see what's coming...

Recently, he called in a repair guy to look at a problem he had getting his
new broadband facility installed. The guy declared his XP system 'illegal'
and would not touch it. I've been asked to sort it out. Short of wiping his
HDD, together with stuff he might not be able to save, and reinstalling
whatever version of XP Pro is required to take his coa key is there any simple
way of putting things right? TIA, P

 

[TaurArian [MS-MVP]]

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! see instructions
www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/pkuinstructions.aspx
The Key Update Tool will attempt an automatic internet activation but it that's not
possible, the key will be changed regardless and you'll have to telephone to activate.

--

====================================
TaurArian [MS-MVP] 2005-2007 - Australia
====================================
How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
Backup and data recovery: http://www.acronis.com/
Enhancing file system performance: http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag.asp


| Some months ago I helped a friend of a friend by re-installing XP Pro on his
| machine. He had the coa for it on the side of the computer but did not have
| the original CD or a HDD partition with the os on. So I installed XP from a
| disk I had and thought that I would just input the key from the coa, but it
| didn't accept his licenced numbers. So I fed in the numbers that were
| handwritten on my CD. You can probably see what's coming...
|
| Recently, he called in a repair guy to look at a problem he had getting his
| new broadband facility installed. The guy declared his XP system 'illegal'
| and would not touch it. I've been asked to sort it out. Short of wiping his
| HDD, together with stuff he might not be able to save, and reinstalling
| whatever version of XP Pro is required to take his coa key is there any simple
| way of putting things right? TIA, P
|

 

[Ghostrider]

Some months ago I helped a friend of a friend by re-installing XP Pro on his
machine. He had the coa for it on the side of the computer but did not have
the original CD or a HDD partition with the os on. So I installed XP from a
disk I had and thought that I would just input the key from the coa, but it
didn't accept his licenced numbers. So I fed in the numbers that were
handwritten on my CD. You can probably see what's coming...

Recently, he called in a repair guy to look at a problem he had getting his
new broadband facility installed. The guy declared his XP system 'illegal'
and would not touch it. I've been asked to sort it out. Short of wiping his
HDD, together with stuff he might not be able to save, and reinstalling
whatever version of XP Pro is required to take his coa key is there any simple
way of putting things right? TIA, P

If the version of Windows XP Pro had properly activated after it was
installed whilst using the COA that came with the computer, then the
installation is a legitimate one. OTOH, if the tech was going to do a
warranty service job and noticed that the OEM COA did not match the
brand on the version of Windows XP that is currently installed in the
computer, then the tech is also behaving properly in not providing the
service. There is no simple solution to this situation, at this stage
other than you becoming the tech to sort out the problem at getting the
broadband up and running.

 

[Desk Rabbit]

Some months ago I helped a friend of a friend by re-installing XP Pro on his
machine. He had the coa for it on the side of the computer but did not have
the original CD or a HDD partition with the os on. So I installed XP from a
disk I had and thought that I would just input the key from the coa, but it
didn't accept his licenced numbers. So I fed in the numbers that were
handwritten on my CD. You can probably see what's coming...

Recently, he called in a repair guy to look at a problem he had getting his
new broadband facility installed. The guy declared his XP system 'illegal'
and would not touch it. I've been asked to sort it out. Short of wiping his
HDD, together with stuff he might not be able to save, and reinstalling
whatever version of XP Pro is required to take his coa key is there any simple
way of putting things right? TIA, P

Several options here

1. Go back to the original vendor and ask for a replacement CD. If your
friend has the COA on the side he almost certainly got a disk or a means
of getting a disk. When you have the correct disk, backup all the data
and do a repair install. The vendor should be able to help you with this
unless it one of these stupid "recovery" disks that whacks a factory
image straight on your drive..

2. Pay for someone who knows what they are doing to sort it out and
learn a lesson.

3. Leave town.

4. Lose a friend.

 

[WhzzKdd]

Some months ago I helped a friend of a friend by re-installing XP Pro on
his
machine. He had the coa for it on the side of the computer but did not
have
the original CD or a HDD partition with the os on. So I installed XP from
a
disk I had and thought that I would just input the key from the coa, but
it
didn't accept his licenced numbers. So I fed in the numbers that were
handwritten on my CD. You can probably see what's coming...

Recently, he called in a repair guy to look at a problem he had getting
his
new broadband facility installed. The guy declared his XP system
'illegal'
and would not touch it. I've been asked to sort it out. Short of wiping
his
HDD, together with stuff he might not be able to save, and reinstalling
whatever version of XP Pro is required to take his coa key is there any
simple
way of putting things right? TIA, P

Did you happen to check and see if the COA on your friend's PC was for XP
Pro, or for XP Home? The key is for Home, then you'd best backup your
friend's data and reinstall the /correct/ version of Windows.

If the COA /is/ for XP Pro, then you could see what happens with Magical
Jellybean Keyfinder - it has an option to change the key in the PC. I don't
know if the newest version still does - if it doesn't, run the older
version.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

[Clarissa]

Several options here

1. Go back to the original vendor and ask for a replacement CD. If your
friend has the COA on the side he almost certainly got a disk or a means
of getting a disk. When you have the correct disk, backup all the data and
do a repair install. The vendor should be able to help you with this
unless it one of these stupid "recovery" disks that whacks a factory image
straight on your drive..

2. Pay for someone who knows what they are doing to sort it out and learn
a lesson.

3. Leave town.

4. Lose a friend>

I messed up my computer real bad ( couldn't get
on internet). The "professional person" I called told
me I had a bad modum. I didn't think so. So I did
a systems restore back to the day I messed it up.
I am back online and the "professional Person"
lost my respect. Could this guy's problem be fixed
with a "systems restore"????

 

[Pete1]

Thanks all for the responses. Just to clarify one point, the coa *was* for XP
Pro not Home. However I guess the CD I used was for the Corp XP edition
(?) since if I remember correctly no activation was required. If so does this
present a problem using the MS weblink to change the key, or if I use the
jellybean method? And does the latter method require activation after use?
TIA, P

 

[DanS]

Thanks all for the responses. Just to clarify one point, the coa *was*
for XP Pro not Home. However I guess the CD I used was for the Corp
XP edition (?) since if I remember correctly no activation was
required. If so does this present a problem using the MS weblink to
change the key, or if I use the jellybean method? And does the
latter method require activation after use? TIA, P

There is no 'Corporate' Edition. There is volume licensing, which is what
it most likely was.

The original should have taken with a retail Pro install, provided it was
equal in SP's.

 

[Ghostrider]

Thanks all for the responses. Just to clarify one point, the coa *was* for XP
Pro not Home. However I guess the CD I used was for the Corp XP edition
(?) since if I remember correctly no activation was required. If so does this
present a problem using the MS weblink to change the key, or if I use the
jellybean method? And does the latter method require activation after use?
TIA, P

Regret to write that there is a total mismatch between the COA and
the Windows XP Pro that was installed in this computer. The Volume
License Key (VLK) version has significant identification differences
between the equivalent XP version, either retail or OEM, that renders
the COA worthless in any event. But don't take it too badly; many pro
shops have made the same mistake. The penalty is the same...take the
time and effort to do the job right.

 

[Guest]

on internet). The "professional person" I called told
me I had a bad modum. I didn't think so. So I did
a systems restore back to the day I messed it up.
I am back online and the "professional Person"
lost my respect. Could this guy's problem be fixed
with a "systems restore"????

Hi Clarissa, this OP's mess is well beyond a simple System restore.

K

 

[Pete1]

Regret to write that there is a total mismatch between the COA and
the Windows XP Pro that was installed in this computer. The Volume
License Key (VLK) version has significant identification differences
between the equivalent XP version, either retail or OEM, that renders
the COA worthless in any event. But don't take it too badly; many pro
shops have made the same mistake. The penalty is the same...take the
time and effort to do the job right.

I take it then that I cannot take the route suggested of using "The Genuine
Advantage Product Key Update Tool" on MS's website or jellybean, and that the
only solution is to format and reinstall? TIA, P

 

[Desk Rabbit]

I messed up my computer real bad ( couldn't get
on internet). The "professional person" I called told
me I had a bad modum. I didn't think so. So I did
a systems restore back to the day I messed it up.
I am back online and the "professional Person"
lost my respect. Could this guy's problem be fixed
with a "systems restore"????

Unlikely.

OK strike out professional person and replace with qualified & experienced.

 

[Stara Suka]

: In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
:
: >
: >Regret to write that there is a total mismatch between the COA
and
: >the Windows XP Pro that was installed in this computer. The
Volume
: >License Key (VLK) version has significant identification
differences
: >between the equivalent XP version, either retail or OEM, that
renders
: >the COA worthless in any event. But don't take it too badly; many
pro
: >shops have made the same mistake. The penalty is the same...take
the
: >time and effort to do the job right.
:
: I take it then that I cannot take the route suggested of using
"The Genuine
: Advantage Product Key Update Tool" on MS's website or jellybean,
and that the
: only solution is to format and reinstall? TIA, P

Hi Pete; I strongly recommend that you return the computer to the
shop that built it for you, inform the techies what is going on, and
DEMAND that they FIX it, including backups and re-installs, AT NO
COST TO YOU.
:

 

[gls858]

: In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
says...
:
: >
: >Regret to write that there is a total mismatch between the COA
and
: >the Windows XP Pro that was installed in this computer. The
Volume
: >License Key (VLK) version has significant identification
differences
: >between the equivalent XP version, either retail or OEM, that
renders
: >the COA worthless in any event. But don't take it too badly; many
pro
: >shops have made the same mistake. The penalty is the same...take
the
: >time and effort to do the job right.
:
: I take it then that I cannot take the route suggested of using
"The Genuine
: Advantage Product Key Update Tool" on MS's website or jellybean,
and that the
: only solution is to format and reinstall? TIA, P

Hi Pete; I strongly recommend that you return the computer to the
shop that built it for you, inform the techies what is going on, and
DEMAND that they FIX it, including backups and re-installs, AT NO
COST TO YOU.
:

I think you better go back and read the OP. It seems Pete's the one that
caused the problem not the techs.

gls858