Windows XP Service Pack 2

[Guest]

Trying to install sp2 on a used PC I bought about a year ago. Never had
trouble with other updates, but I'm now getting a setup error -
"The product key used to install Microsoft WIndows may not be vaild"

What does this mean exactly and what are my best options for resolving this
problem?

thanks

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

It means that the product key that was used when Windows was first installed
is one of about 10 or so well-known pirated product keys.

To resolve the problem, you're going to need to pay some money for a copy of
Windows XP. If you don't like that option, uninstall XP and give Linux a
try.

Oli

 

[Will Denny]

Ooh -Linux - you ought to be ashamed of yerself Oli!!!!

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP - Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Trying to install sp2 on a used PC I bought about a year ago. Never had
trouble with other updates, but I'm now getting a setup error -
"The product key used to install Microsoft WIndows may not be vaild"

What does this mean exactly and what are my best options for resolving this
problem?

thanks

If you are trying to install a WinXP Service Pack and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a _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


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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both at once. - RAH

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

LOL! Well, if people don't want to pay for an OS and like to think up a
million and one excuses as to why they think they shouldn't have to pay, I'd
rather they used something that was free than pirating some commercial
software.

Oli

 

[Tim Munro]

Hi,

You don't need to go through the pain of a repair. Obtain a valid
product key, then go to this URL:

http://labmice.techtarget.com/windowsxp/articles/changeID.htm