Updating to a Valid Key

[BuddyWh]

While trying to DL some files form Microsoft.com/downloads, I found my
WinXP installation on my computer-show special was a pirate... kinda a
surprise since I had previously updated it to SP2 with no problem.

At any rate, I have purchased a legit copy WinXP Pro... and have used
the VB scripts provided on MS's KB to update the key on my system.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874
The Product ID has changed (on the general tab of Systems Properties
screen) and the system is working as fine as before. I should be set
now...

HOWEVER when I re-run GenuineCheck.EXE it returns the exact same code
as before and when I paste it into the Genuine Windows Validation
page, it tells me something about a VLA with Microsoft.

OK... I have a legit copy, I've updated the key... I don't want to
install fresh (for very, very obvious reasons). What can/should I do
now?

I am a little confused... most advice (including the MS KB above) are
for systems with SP1, not with SP2. Could that be the problem? should
I uninstall SP2?

TIA

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

That repair only works if you purchased a "Volume License"
Product Key. Since Volume License keys are sold in lots of 5
minimum, I think you purchased a "Retail Version". If that's the
case, you'll nee to use your new Windows XP and Product Key
to perform a "Repair Install:

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| While trying to DL some files form Microsoft.com/downloads, I found my
| WinXP installation on my computer-show special was a pirate... kinda a
| surprise since I had previously updated it to SP2 with no problem.
|
| At any rate, I have purchased a legit copy WinXP Pro... and have used
| the VB scripts provided on MS's KB to update the key on my system.
| http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874
| The Product ID has changed (on the general tab of Systems Properties
| screen) and the system is working as fine as before. I should be set
| now...
|
| HOWEVER when I re-run GenuineCheck.EXE it returns the exact same code
| as before and when I paste it into the Genuine Windows Validation
| page, it tells me something about a VLA with Microsoft.
|
| OK... I have a legit copy, I've updated the key... I don't want to
| install fresh (for very, very obvious reasons). What can/should I do
| now?
|
| I am a little confused... most advice (including the MS KB above) are
| for systems with SP1, not with SP2. Could that be the problem? should
| I uninstall SP2?
|
| TIA

 

[BuddyWh]

Isn't there something EASY I could do? like a registry edit to change
the type of install from "volume license" to "retail"?

Well... that about cooks it for now, then. It looks like pretty
involved process, especially since I'll need to reinstall SP1, SP2 and
all the other updates, and no telling what it will do to device
drivers.

I can't afford to take a chance with the 'puter right now, I don't
have time to spend on reinstalling all that stuff, and those few
little DL's MS is offering isn't worth the bother. I guess,
technically at least, I'm legal now so it'll have to do until I have a
four-day weekend to attack it..

Thanks anyway

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Virtually all Windows XP CDs that you can purchase already
have SP2 installed. If yours does not, then you can easily make
a new Windows XP CD with SP2 and then perform a repair install.

Either one of the following utilities makes slipstreaming
(integrating) SP2 into Windows XP a breeze:

Windows Slipstreaming and Bootable CD Guide
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

or

AutoStreamer 1.0.33 (preferred)
http://www.wbeta.com/comments.php?shownews=1063&catid=2

Windows XP Service Pack 2 - Direct Download
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Isn't there something EASY I could do? like a registry edit to change
| the type of install from "volume license" to "retail"?
|
| Well... that about cooks it for now, then. It looks like pretty
| involved process, especially since I'll need to reinstall SP1, SP2 and
| all the other updates, and no telling what it will do to device
| drivers.
|
| I can't afford to take a chance with the 'puter right now, I don't
| have time to spend on reinstalling all that stuff, and those few
| little DL's MS is offering isn't worth the bother. I guess,
| technically at least, I'm legal now so it'll have to do until I have a
| four-day weekend to attack it..
|
| Thanks anyway

 

[Rock]

Isn't there something EASY I could do? like a registry edit to change
the type of install from "volume license" to "retail"?

Well... that about cooks it for now, then. It looks like pretty
involved process, especially since I'll need to reinstall SP1, SP2 and
all the other updates, and no telling what it will do to device
drivers.

I can't afford to take a chance with the 'puter right now, I don't
have time to spend on reinstalling all that stuff, and those few
little DL's MS is offering isn't worth the bother. I guess,
technically at least, I'm legal now so it'll have to do until I have a
four-day weekend to attack it..

Thanks anyway

No, the only way to make your copy legitimate is to do the repair
install. As Carey said the best is to use a copy that has SP2 already
integrated. There are only a few post SP2 updates. A repair install
should keep your programs and settings intact. Make sure you have a
complete backup of all essential information though. That VB script was
for changing the license key on the same type of legal windows
installation, not for making a bootleg copy legal or going from one type
to another.

 

[BuddyWh]

Thanks a lot... I've bookmarked all these sites for that day I have to
face the task! Hopefully it'll be straighforward, but I'm sure you
can understand my caution with a working stable system!

 

[Alex Nichol]

Isn't there something EASY I could do? like a registry edit to change
the type of install from "volume license" to "retail"?
No

Well... that about cooks it for now, then. It looks like pretty
involved process, especially since I'll need to reinstall SP1, SP2 and
all the other updates, and no telling what it will do to device
drivers.

Get the free CD of SP2 from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx
and run it as first thing after the repair reinstall. That will bring
you almost up to date with only a handful of subsequent security updates

 

[BuddyWh]

Get the free CD of SP2 from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx
and run it as first thing after the repair reinstall. That will bring
you almost up to date with only a handful of subsequent security updates

Well... I resolved my problem in a rather interesting way.

Since I am a "work-at-home" employee my boss agreed they would pay for
my XP Pro since it's required to access the work network so they added
me to my employers' volume license. If I didn't want to use my own
computer I would have gotten a laptop, so I guess they're coming out
ahead. (I didn't want to have the responsibility of the laptop if it
should be stolen or damaged).

I brought the system in to work and one of the IT guys installed the
volume license key and I'm set. I do have an 'extra' WindowsXP pro
'retail'... can't take it back since I opened it . I suppose I could
sell it to someone since I never got it activated..

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Well... I resolved my problem in a rather interesting way.

Since I am a "work-at-home" employee my boss agreed they would pay for
my XP Pro since it's required to access the work network so they added
me to my employers' volume license. If I didn't want to use my own
computer I would have gotten a laptop, so I guess they're coming out
ahead. (I didn't want to have the responsibility of the laptop if it
should be stolen or damaged).

I brought the system in to work and one of the IT guys installed the
volume license key and I'm set. I do have an 'extra' WindowsXP pro
'retail'... can't take it back since I opened it . I suppose I could
sell it to someone since I never got it activated..

Or you could hang on to it for your own use, should you ever have to
change employers and need to replace the Volume Licensed version you
currently have installed.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Keep it.
If you stop working for that company, your license to use the Volume License
will end at that time.
Other changes at the company could also terminate you license.

 

[BuddyWh]

Keep it.
If you stop working for that company, your license to use the Volume License
will end at that time.
Other changes at the company could also terminate you license.

AHH... already thought of that... since my post is rather stable for
the mid term future... my expectation (hope?) is that by the time
anything like that should come to pass... the next latest greatest OS
from Redmond will be upon us!

 

[Paul Knudsen]

I do have an 'extra' WindowsXP pro
'retail'... can't take it back since I opened it . I suppose I could
sell it to someone since I never got it activated..

Sure. It's worth $150 or more. You could sell it on Ebay.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Since I am a "work-at-home" employee my boss agreed they would pay for
my XP Pro since it's required to access the work network so they added
me to my employers' volume license.

Now that is a *great* solution. Good employers, too