Windows XP home Drama. Please help

[EchoMaster]

My friend and I bought Acer aspire ones. Both had Windows XP CD keys on
the the bottom. She loved to keep it on her belly, so her sticker got
erased...

Soon her Operating system died because of viruses. I reinstalled OS,
but because we could not restore her CD key at that time (and Acer reps told
us they cannot do anything with that) I used my CD key on it... After one
month her OS expired and wont start, asking about activation. I took her CD
key and was messing with it and finally got it right!...

Is it possible to change the CD key right now? Without loosing any data
and reinstalling the OS? What should I do? Please help me. I do not have
direct access to that Acer, but I can guide my friend. Any help would be
appreciated.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

My friend and I bought Acer aspire ones. Both had Windows XP CD keys
on
the the bottom. She loved to keep it on her belly, so her sticker got
erased...

Soon her Operating system died because of viruses. I reinstalled OS,
but because we could not restore her CD key at that time (and Acer reps
told
us they cannot do anything with that) I used my CD key on it... After one
month her OS expired and wont start, asking about activation. I took her
CD
key and was messing with it and finally got it right!...

Is it possible to change the CD key right now? Without loosing any
data
and reinstalling the OS? What should I do? Please help me. I do not have
direct access to that Acer, but I can guide my friend. Any help would be
appreciated.

Try this..

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5034890.html

 

[Leroy]

Try the Windows Product Key Update Tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx