I ran into a similar problem with 12 stations here that were purchased before I took over.
90% of the time, it is simpler to just run a repair instead of doing a clean install.
When you boot from the XP CD, once it loads, press enter to install windows, press F8 to accept the EULA and then press R to repair the OS. This will replace your bad SN with your new one.
Unfortunately, I can't find another way to change the key and activate.
Posted by: Justin Perkins at December 6, 2004 10:35 AM
Well, I bought a computer with windows xp. Unfortunately for me the activation period is over and no one can log on. How do I get rid of this copy of xp? I can't log on to do it.
Posted by: R Skelton at April 17, 2005 2:16 PM
Getting rid of Windows simply means installing somthing else (like Linux, or a different version of Windows).
Posted by: Leo at April 17, 2005 2:26 PM
To 'go legal' with a reinstallation, is it enough to use an upgrade version rather than a full version?
Posted by: M.Hoffman at July 11, 2005 3:39 AM
If you're upgrading from a legal version, yes. If it's the first version you've actually purchased, then technically you should be purchasing a full version.
Posted by: Leo at July 11, 2005 8:17 PM
I also bought a desktop with a corporate edition of Windows XP Professional SP1 installed & won't allow me to update to SP2 saying I might have an illegal copy. I understand that you can just install a legal copy of Windows XP on top of the illegal one. Does that apply for OEM as well as retail?
Posted by: Nickster at August 28, 2005 6:53 AM
I believe it does, yes.
Posted by: Leo at August 29, 2005 10:00 PM
Correction,
When you have an Illegal Wds Pro Corp. installed you can't install a regular Pro version on that system.
tested multiple systems!
The most illegal installed version is Pro Corp, and there is a no go, when people go upgrade (downgrade) Pro Corp with the standard Home version.
Posted by: Fred at September 16, 2005 7:47 AM
I recently found some software which retrieves your keycode and product id code from the computer, it also allows you to change those codes. Would it therefore be possible to convert an illegal copy to a legal one bye buying a properwindows xp pro and just changing your installed illegal version keys to the legal version ones without re installing? This would save all my drivers (sata raid etc etc) and other data....
Posted by: Mawibri at February 9, 2006 4:30 AM
me and my cousin brought windows xp pro from a shop brand new and it was not fake but when i installed it it goes the serial key you have typed has been used loads of time (short words) so why???
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I ran into a similar problem with 12 stations here that were purchased before I took over.
90% of the time, it is simpler to just run a repair instead of doing a clean install.
When you boot from the XP CD, once it loads, press enter to install windows, press F8 to accept the EULA and then press R to repair the OS. This will replace your bad SN with your new one.
Unfortunately, I can't find another way to change the key and activate.
Posted by: Justin Perkins at December 6, 2004 10:35 AMWell, I bought a computer with windows xp. Unfortunately for me the activation period is over and no one can log on. How do I get rid of this copy of xp? I can't log on to do it.
Posted by: R Skelton at April 17, 2005 2:16 PMGetting rid of Windows simply means installing somthing else (like Linux, or a different version of Windows).
Posted by: Leo at April 17, 2005 2:26 PMTo 'go legal' with a reinstallation, is it enough to use an upgrade version rather than a full version?
Posted by: M.Hoffman at July 11, 2005 3:39 AMIf you're upgrading from a legal version, yes. If it's the first version you've actually purchased, then technically you should be purchasing a full version.
Posted by: Leo at July 11, 2005 8:17 PMI also bought a desktop with a corporate edition of Windows XP Professional SP1 installed & won't allow me to update to SP2 saying I might have an illegal copy. I understand that you can just install a legal copy of Windows XP on top of the illegal one. Does that apply for OEM as well as retail?
Posted by: Nickster at August 28, 2005 6:53 AMI believe it does, yes.
Posted by: Leo at August 29, 2005 10:00 PMCorrection,
When you have an Illegal Wds Pro Corp. installed you can't install a regular Pro version on that system.
tested multiple systems!
The most illegal installed version is Pro Corp, and there is a no go, when people go upgrade (downgrade) Pro Corp with the standard Home version.
Posted by: Fred at September 16, 2005 7:47 AMI recently found some software which retrieves your keycode and product id code from the computer, it also allows you to change those codes. Would it therefore be possible to convert an illegal copy to a legal one bye buying a properwindows xp pro and just changing your installed illegal version keys to the legal version ones without re installing? This would save all my drivers (sata raid etc etc) and other data....
Posted by: Mawibri at February 9, 2006 4:30 AMme and my cousin brought windows xp pro from a shop brand new and it was not fake but when i installed it it goes the serial key you have typed has been used loads of time (short words) so why???
Posted by: pabz at May 28, 2006 11:35 PMTo post a comment on "How do I 'legalize' my Windows XP Installation?", please return to that article's main page.