XP (SP1) won't let me change my key!

[jon.p.weaver]

I have been trying to change my key and followed every link I can find.

Most of the procedures are the same as (or variations of) the one on
the MS Support Site:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;328874


The basis of this is that you have to make a change in the registry and
then run c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a


I make the change in the registry and then run msoobe, where I would
expect to get an option to re-validate windows.. But I get the
activation window and am then told that "Windows Is Already Activated"!

I have done this before, but not for a VERY long time.

Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Could it be that one of MSs new
Security Patches has blocked the ability change the key?

 

[jon.p.weaver]

Sorry. The link should be:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328874

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Are you attempting to replace the current "Volume License Product Key"
with a different "Volume License" key? If not, then that technique will not work.
You'll need to perform a "repair install" using your new Product Key
and the Windows XP CD that came with it.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

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

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

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

:

| I have been trying to change my key and followed every link I can find.
|
| Most of the procedures are the same as (or variations of) the one on
| the MS Support Site:
|
| http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...kb;en-us;328874
|
|
| The basis of this is that you have to make a change in the registry and
| then run c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
|
|
| I make the change in the registry and then run msoobe, where I would
| expect to get an option to re-validate windows.. But I get the
| activation window and am then told that "Windows Is Already Activated"!
|
| I have done this before, but not for a VERY long time.
|
| Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Could it be that one of MSs new
| Security Patches has blocked the ability change the key?

 

[Vanguard]

Are you attempting to replace the current "Volume License Product Key"
with a different "Volume License" key? If not, then that technique
will not work.
You'll need to perform a "repair install" using your new Product Key
and the Windows XP CD that came with it.

Does a Repair (inplace upgrade) actually ask for the product key so it
gets used to replace the one used in the current installation? I don't
remember getting asked for the product key which means that you start
with the product key, do the repair, and you still have the same product
key afterward.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Yes, unless you have a preinstalled OEM version of XP.

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

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

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

:

| Does a Repair (inplace upgrade) actually ask for the product key so it
| gets used to replace the one used in the current installation? I don't
| remember getting asked for the product key which means that you start
| with the product key, do the repair, and you still have the same product
| key afterward.