replacing product key without reinstalling

[james]

The PC I bought last year has an ivalid Product key.
Shop is out of business (gee, wonder why?) I have
purchased the copy of XP pro I need. How do I go about
getting this key entered without having to reinstall XP?
MS Site tells me it is "expired" when I use latest
version of Windows Update.

Any help is appreciated

James
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Douglas P. Dobrynski]

James,

You are in luck, read about this just this week:

http://searchwin2000.techtarget.com/tip/0,289483,sid1_gci989773,00.html?track=NL-120&ad=485556

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328874

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

Doug

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update to SP1:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

You'll have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

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

Is Your Copy of Windows Legal?
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx


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

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

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| The PC I bought last year has an ivalid Product key.
| Shop is out of business (gee, wonder why?) I have
| purchased the copy of XP pro I need. How do I go about
| getting this key entered without having to reinstall XP?
| MS Site tells me it is "expired" when I use latest
| version of Windows Update.
|
| Any help is appreciated
|
| James

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You need to use your _legitimate_ full retail copy of WinXP Pro to
perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new
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

Remember, you should also report whomever sold/gave you the
pirated software to the pertinent law enforcement agencies; you've
been defrauded.


Bruce Chambers
--
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