XP how to change key

[Diane]

Alright, I've exhausted every option I could find on
resetting the license and nothing has worked as of yet.

Here's the problem. I have an IBM laptop that I had to
reinstall XP Pro on. Since IBM did not provide me with a
recovery CD or partition recovery, I did what came
naturally and installed from a CD. Not thinking, I used
the CD Key from the disk and have been setting up this
laptop without a glitch ever since. Well, after two
weeks into the project I finally reached a point where I
could connect to the internet and started downloading XP
patches. Well, SP1 errored out with an invalid product
id message. I spoke with Microsoft in following the
procedure in article 321636 and was given the phone
number to IBM. IBM offered no help (which I still can't
believe)but did offer an explanation for the problem. I
was informed IBM has volume licensing and because I
installed XP from a CD that was given to me by IBM the
license doesn't match. Which brings me to my next point,
I tried to change the product key using the activation
wizard, vb script (changevlkey2600), and the keyfinder.
None of them worked. I truly hope there is someone out
there that can help or point me in the right direction
because I don't want to have to rebuild this thing. And
yes, I have a valid key and I checked it several times
for typo's.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Diane;
Most of the various tools used to change the Product Key will only
work if the versions are identical.

A repair Installation can be used to change the Product Key.
Simply use the new CD and key.
Repair Installation:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
Windows Updates will need to be reinstalled.
Data should be safe, back-up important data just in case.
Install Service Pack first and by itself.
Then install ALL Critical Updates no more than 4 at a time,

Disconnect the network/modem cable before starting repair and do NOT
reconnect the cable until repair is completed and firewall is
installed/enabled.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

 

[Michael Stevens]

Alright, I've exhausted every option I could find on
resetting the license and nothing has worked as of yet.

Here's the problem. I have an IBM laptop that I had to
reinstall XP Pro on. Since IBM did not provide me with a
recovery CD or partition recovery, I did what came
naturally and installed from a CD. Not thinking, I used
the CD Key from the disk and have been setting up this
laptop without a glitch ever since. Well, after two
weeks into the project I finally reached a point where I
could connect to the internet and started downloading XP
patches. Well, SP1 errored out with an invalid product
id message. I spoke with Microsoft in following the
procedure in article 321636 and was given the phone
number to IBM. IBM offered no help (which I still can't
believe)but did offer an explanation for the problem. I
was informed IBM has volume licensing and because I
installed XP from a CD that was given to me by IBM the
license doesn't match. Which brings me to my next point,
I tried to change the product key using the activation
wizard, vb script (changevlkey2600), and the keyfinder.
None of them worked. I truly hope there is someone out
there that can help or point me in the right direction
because I don't want to have to rebuild this thing. And
yes, I have a valid key and I checked it several times
for typo's.

Thanks in advance!

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Change CD key.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#need2
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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