jrjr Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 Hi, Long time windows user and first time poster here but this is the first time Ive ran into this. A buddy bought a used pc with XP installed. When doing Windows updates, it fails validation. I figure its a bootleg copy. Anyway, he has a legit copy of XP to install. Is it possible to just install over the top of the old install or change the keys or something to make the installed version legit? A format and fresh install is not wanted...Tia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cozofdeath Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 This article will show you how to change it and reactivate. http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-...11-5034890.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babysun Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 That's a great article giving two alternatives to do it. Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 After googling, I found this.I have not tried it personally, but this little freeware utility appears to give you the option to change an illegal key to a new valid one under the Options tab.http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtmlThe Keyfinder only supports changing the keys in Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP.Windows 2000, NT, and Server 2003 aren't supported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cozofdeath Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Boris's method is easier. After changing the key with that tool you could then do this to reactivate...Opening the Registry Editor and navigating toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEventsIn the right pane, right-click the ODBETimer binary value and select Modify. Change at least one character of this value to either a number from 0 to 9 or to a letter from A to F, then click OK and close the Registry Editor. This renders the current product key invalid and deactivates Windows.Now, it’s time to reactivate Windows using your new product key. Click Start | Run and enter the command:%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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