Change product key without reinstalling?

[Andy Nicholl]

The version of Windows XP Pro I got with my machine turns
out to have been either pirated or used before - I can't
upgrade it (or even get through to technical support to
ask this question!): I have now bought a fresh legal copy
of XP Pro and want to install it without destroying the
previous installation - in effect, just to change the
Product Key in the computer.

How can I do this?

Also, when trying to reinstall or 'repair' the
installation, it complains that 'hal.dll' is missing or
corrupted - where can I get a new one of these?

Many thanks,

Andy

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

You'll have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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

"Andy Nicholl" <anon...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message:
news:045801c3d4b8$15b350d0$a501...@phx.gbl...

[anon...@discussions.microsoft.com]

Use this:

http://www.softpedia.com/public/scripts/downloadhero/13-7-
50/

>.
>

[S.Sengupta]

Hi,
Backup your registry first.

1. Run regedit and go to:
HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current
Version\WPAEvents, on the right double click
on "oobetimer" and change at least one digit of this value
to deactivate windows.

2. Choose run from start menu and type in this command:
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a to get the
activation screen and go to the second option which is
activate by phone.

3. In the new screen choose the option to change product
key, and type in the new product key.

4. Close that window, reboot your system and enter the
command in step 2 for the second time to verify your
activation, you should see "windows is already activated".

Hope this helps!

See also:-
HOW TO: Change the Product Key at the Time of Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892&Product=winxp

Regarding "hal.dll" error:-
see:-
"Error Message: Windows Could Not Start Because of a Computer Disk
Hardware Configuration Problem"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q314477&
More Information on the hal.dll file in Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_h.htm
regards,
ssg MS-MVP

[Alex Nichol]

Andy Nicholl wrote:

>The version of Windows XP Pro I got with my machine turns
>out to have been either pirated or used before - I can't
>upgrade it (or even get through to technical support to
>ask this question!): I have now bought a fresh legal copy
>of XP Pro and want to install it without destroying the
>previous installation - in effect, just to change the
>Product Key in the computer.
>
>How can I do this?
>
>Also, when trying to reinstall or 'repair' the
>installation, it complains that 'hal.dll' is missing or
>corrupted

The hal message is misleading - what is wrong is a line in the boot.ini
file, so the boot is looking in the wrong place: hall.dll just happens
to be the first file it looks for. Hal is selected and 'tuned' at setup
- do *not* try to copy one from elsewhere. You can repair the boot.ini
in the initial repair after boot - give
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
DEL C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild

For the key it would be better to start with a repair reinstall - that
ensures that you are not caught with possible cracked components of the
system.

--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. Al...@mvps.D8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)