changing reg key after install?

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You can't change the Product Key since you apparently
have an OEM Product Key. You have two options:

1. Contact your computer manufacturer and request a CD replacement
and perform a "repair install" using that CD and YOUR Product Key.

2. Purchase a new retail Product Key and change it if you used a "retail"
Product Key and Windows XP CD.

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

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp

Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp

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

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

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"cliff murphy" <uot...@bellsouth.net> wrote in message:
news:17533C80-E6A7-463B...@microsoft.com...

| I had a virus outbreak and had to format my c drive. I have a valid working reg key i got when i purchased
my product. IT WONT WORK. It says i have an invalid reg key. I think this may be due to the fact that i had to
use a friends windows XP disk since mine is broken. Now that i have windows XP installed using his reg key how
do i change my information to my reg key?

[Shenan Stanley]

cliff murphy wrote:
> I had a virus outbreak and had to format my c drive. I have a valid
> working reg key i got when i purchased my product. IT WONT WORK. It
> says i have an invalid reg key. I think this may be due to the fact
> that i had to use a friends windows XP disk since mine is broken. Now
> that i have windows XP installed using his reg key how do i change my
> information to my reg key?

Were they the same type of CD?
In other words, did your CD come with your computer or without the nice
"retail box" and his did (or vice-versa)? Were they both HOME or
PROFESSIONAL (same version of Windows XP?)

If not, you are out of luck. You have to make your CD work or get it
replaced.

If they were, then you might be able to do it:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874

--
<- Shenan ->
--

[red fraggle]

This almost worked, with one exception.

My friends cd is the windows xp Pro full install cd and my broken cd is the windows XP upgrade cd. So now when i use your mehtod to change my key it says "Incorrect Product Key". Is there not a work around considering i already bought the ms product i mean jesus h christ whats the difference between full install and upgrade we end up with the same crap right!

Red Fraggle

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The workaround is to replace the CD.
Contact Microsoft as long at Windows XP is retail:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

"red fraggle" <anon...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CEEAF5B0-058D-45FC...@microsoft.com...

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Q. "What's the difference between full install and upgrade?"

A. About $100 you didn't pay for the "full version" license.

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

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

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

"red fraggle" <anon...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message:
news:CEEAF5B0-058D-45FC...@microsoft.com...

| This almost worked, with one exception.