Win XP Pro Product Key

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jtkpenguin
  • Start date Start date
J

Jtkpenguin

When I try to update my pc it tells me the key is
invalid, I have a legitimate copy of windows & have tried
to follow the instructions in the MS article but after
very carefully navigating through the Registry, the
OOBETIMER value doesn't appear in the right-hand pane....
so how do I change it??

Pls help !!

JTKPenguin
 
Run the Windows XP Product Key Validation Assistant:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/default.mspx

How to change the Windows XP Product Activation Key Code
http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/articles/changeID.htm

You receive a "The product key used to install Windows is invalid" error message:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

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

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

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

:

| When I try to update my pc it tells me the key is
| invalid, I have a legitimate copy of windows & have tried
| to follow the instructions in the MS article but after
| very carefully navigating through the Registry, the
| OOBETIMER value doesn't appear in the right-hand pane....
| so how do I change it??
|
| Pls help !!
|
| JTKPenguin
 
Thanks for the swift reply, Carey.

I've tried the Validation Assistant but it won't run
because I've not got SP1 installed...

Reading through the Labmice article looks good until I
get to the next to last bullet point, which says '...keys
for XP Home Ed & retail vers of XP Pro will not activate
a corporate or OEM ver of XP Pro'. The key on my pc
appears to be a corporate one, but the cd I got with the
pc says it's an OEM ver...

I bought the pc from a shop in UK which has ceased
trading.

Not sure if it's worth trying the labmice thing in case
it doesn't work & I'm left with a non-booting pc...

Any help appreciated.

TIA

JTKpenguin
 
An OEM CD installation will not accept a Volume License key.
There is no such thing as "corporate" although that name is often use
by pirates referring to the stolen license.

If you have a Volume License key installed and you are a single user,
something is wrong and most likely a stolen license was used to
install Windows.

You have an OEM CD?
Do you also have the OEM key?
The key should be on a sticker affixed to your computer.

If you do not have an OEM key, you may need to buy Windows XP since
your license may not be valid.
 
I have definitely got an OEM cd (still in the opened
shrink-wrap) which was given to me when I bought the pc.
The sticker (OEM key) isn't on my pc but IS on the shrink-
wrap.
Not sure what to do now....

Thanks for any help.

JTKpenguin
 
yes exactly - I run Magical Jelly bean to check my
installation key & it begins with FCKGW but the one on my
cd sticker begins with JRKFC....
 
Then you do have a pirated key for installation.
Follow the instructions for a Repair Installation using the correct CD
and key.
 
Just so's I understand this correctly, the shop I bought
the pc & was given the cd from, used a pirated key to
install win xp on the pc?
Will doing the Repair Installation change any of my
settings?
 
Yes, the shop use an unauthorized method to install Windows XP and now
it is time to pay the price...you are paying by needing to Repair
Install.

No, you settings should not be changed, a Repair Installation should
leave all data and settings in tact...but back-up important data just
in case.
 
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