XP Product Key

[Jason]

I bought a second hand computer with windows XP
installed. I went to updates and I was told that the key
was invalid. If I am using pirated software, can I buy a
legit Key and use that without reinstalling window? or do
I have to reinstall windows to input the valid key?

 

[CWatters]

I would contact the seller. If you thought you were getting Win XP they
should make sure you can activate it in your name.

 

[Kevin]

There will be no valid key for pirated software. You will need to buy a
legitimate, authentic copy of Windows XP. Go back to the person who sold
you this machine and demand a refund in the amount of the purchase cost of a
legal copy of XP. If they refuse, point out that tragic accidents happen
all the time and that they should now be very careful. Ok, just kidding
about the death threats. I would not be happy, to say the least.

 

[Guest]

You can do a repair install or a upgrade. do you know what
you have now?? then just buy what you need.

 

[Guest]

Buy a license for what you have. You will not have to re-
install it. you can use this to change the #

http://ryan.ript.net/xppid/

 

[Alex Nichol]

I bought a second hand computer with windows XP
installed. I went to updates and I was told that the key
was invalid. If I am using pirated software, can I buy a
legit Key and use that without reinstalling window? or do
I have to reinstall windows to input the valid key?

You would have to do a reinstall in order to have the new key match that
'series' of Windows - the pirate ones are mostly a volume licensed
version. But it would be worth doing it I think as a 'repair' install -
Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start
Setup (do not take 'Repair' at this stage), then after the license
agreement take 'Repair Installation'. This will retain your existing
software installations and most settings. But Updates will have to be
run again, especially SP1;
It is important to activate the basic XP Firewall before you ever
connect to the net to get the patches, so as to be protected against
things like the BLAST worm.
THat would then need activating, but would think things were well over
30 days since (initial() setup, so you would have to phone in to do it:
but that might be less hassle than a reformat and clean install, which
would give you 30 days, but require reinstalling all third party
software.