XP Pro Validation

Microsoft Windows Product Key Update Tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx


DaveClark wrote:
> Sirs,
> I recently got a messge saying that my copy of XP Pro was not genuine, I
> have found the cause, about a year ago I had a HD failure and took my
> computer to the local shop where he fitted a new HD and transfered files for
> me. Uknown to me he put on a copy of XP Pro which is the copy in question. I
> have a genuine XP pro disk but when I load it in it says that the copy on my
> HD is newer than the one on the disk and if I proceed then I will lose files
> and documents. I paid for the upgrade disc a couple of years ago and really I
> don't see why I should have to pay another £100 because of a mistake by a
> computer shop who, incidently has ceased training. Is there anyway in which
> to solve the problem which doesn't involve loosing files/programs or costing
> me more money.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave

Microsoft Windows Product Key Update Tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx


DaveClark wrote:
> Hi Malke,
> I'm tearing my hair out at the moment. I've tried the various programs to
> change the key but none seem to work, the XP product key modifier accepts the
> key but when it says the key has been changed on checking it has not. I also
> tried the RockXP4.0 program with the same results.
> I assume it is not safe to publish my legit key but it was from an upgrade
> package.
> I am still very hesitant to do a complete install as I will lose a lot of
> progs. and I'm not very computer literate.
> The computer seems a lot slower now and I know MS will not "own up" but do
> they actually put bugs into XP to slow the system down also is there a time
> limit for me to get this sorted?
> In desperation before I contacted MS I down loaded RockXP4 from a bit
> torrent site and tried to change my key then but nothing happened, until I
> changed it to the Key the gave in there blurp, then it did change but to
> another invalid key.
> Is there a way to send you my legit key so that you know I'm legit. I've
> looked at the ways of "slipstreaming" SP3 into my legit copy and will perhaps
> try over the weekend. I still cannot understand why none of the progs. you
> recommended will change the product key. Any further ideas before I embark on
> a journey I'm not looking forward to.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dave
>
> "Malke" wrote:
>
>> DaveClark wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for the reply LG but it still seems as if I will loose a lot of
>>> programs and documnets, the documents I can backup but a lot of the
>>> programs are freeware and net downloads, some of which are not
>>> replaceable. Is this the only solution?
>>> "Leonard Grey" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Yes.
>>>>
>>>> First: The message you saw -- the copy on your hard drive is newer --
>>>> means that the copy of Windows installed on your computer has a more
>>>> recent service pack than the copy of Windows on your CD. That's why you
>>>> can't reinstall your legitimate copy of Windows. You will need to do a
>>>> clean install with your legitimate copy of Windows.
>>>>
>>>> A clean install means erasing your hard disk and re-installing all your
>>>> software. It won't cost a dime but it will take a few hours to
>>>> re-install everything, then update it and set it up again the way you
>>>> like it. And you will need to backup everything you don't want to lose.
>>>>
>>>> You may or may not have to re-activate Windows, but that should be a
>>>> simple matter of calling the number on your screen.

>>>> DaveClark wrote:
>>>>> Sirs,
>>>>> I recently got a messge saying that my copy of XP Pro was not genuine,
>>>>> I have found the cause, about a year ago I had a HD failure and took my
>>>>> computer to the local shop where he fitted a new HD and transfered
>>>>> files for me. Uknown to me he put on a copy of XP Pro which is the copy
>>>>> in question. I have a genuine XP pro disk but when I load it in it says
>>>>> that the copy on my HD is newer than the one on the disk and if I
>>>>> proceed then I will lose files and documents. I paid for the upgrade
>>>>> disc a couple of years ago and really I don't see why I should have to
>>>>> pay another £100 because of a mistake by a computer shop who,
>>>>> incidently has ceased training. Is there anyway in which to solve the
>>>>> problem which doesn't involve loosing files/programs or costing me more
>>>>> money.
>> I disagree with Mr. Grey that you will need to do a clean install. You can
>> slipstream Service Pack 3 into your legitimate copy of XP Pro:
>>
>> How to slipstream SP2/SP3 into XP
>> http://www.nliteos.com/ - nLite
>> http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
>> http://theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd.htm
>>
>> You may not need to do the full Repair Install, but having this slipstreamed
>> install disk will be useful (and you will need it if the Repair Install is
>> necessary) and slipstreaming is extremely easy.
>>
>> Follow the directions for fixing the Product Key issue here:
>>
>> I need to change my XP Product KEY #18 on the FAQ list -
>> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#018
>>
>> You will use the Product Key from your legitimate XP Pro copy.
>>
>> You should not lose any data but you definitely should be backing up your
>> data regularly since Stuff Happens.
>>
>> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Backing_Up
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> MS-MVP
>> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
>> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>>
>>

Leroy YOU ARE A STAR.
After all of the posts on here you came up TRUMPS. No one at MS or on here
must have know about a legit update tool, I certainly didn't and Microsoft
knew exactly the problem I had but they didn't tell me either. I'm very
annoyed with MS as it seems they are only after MONEY and to hell with
Customer Service.
Sorry about the outburst but after all of my correspondence with MS, they
knew my exact problem, and for future information all I had to do was enter
my legit software Key into the Update Tool and "Bobs your Uncle"
Once again,
Many Thanks Leroy.

Dave

"Leroy" wrote:

> Microsoft Windows Product Key Update Tool:
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx
>
>
> DaveClark wrote:
> > Sirs,
> > I recently got a messge saying that my copy of XP Pro was not genuine, I
> > have found the cause, about a year ago I had a HD failure and took my
> > computer to the local shop where he fitted a new HD and transfered files for
> > me. Uknown to me he put on a copy of XP Pro which is the copy in question. I
> > have a genuine XP pro disk but when I load it in it says that the copy on my
> > HD is newer than the one on the disk and if I proceed then I will lose files
> > and documents. I paid for the upgrade disc a couple of years ago and really I
> > don't see why I should have to pay another £100 because of a mistake by a
> > computer shop who, incidently has ceased training. Is there anyway in which
> > to solve the problem which doesn't involve loosing files/programs or costing
> > me more money.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Dave
>

DaveClark wrote:

> No one at MS or on here must have know about a legit update tool

I know about the tool, but I didn't think that you knew the original key
for your installation.

I've had one or two XP systems where I've wanted to change the product
key (say, where I make an exact clone of an existing drive and I want to
give the clone a different product key).

The MS key change tool has never worked. What happens is that when I
run it, all appears to go well, but upon the first system re-start it
wants to validate the new key with Micro$oft, but during the validation
process it says that they system is already validated, and the system is
then stuck in an endless loop.

MS probably designed the key change tool to work for OEM and Volume
License keys, not the "System Builder" version that I deal with.

Any of you MVP's are welcome to chime in here and comment.

The Windows Product Key Update Tool is always undergoing revision.
It should work with any genuine full version Windows XP product key,
including System Builders OEM product keys.


"XP Guy" <XP RemoveThis @Guy.com> wrote in message news:49CE6F25.DE121BB0@Guy.com...
DaveClark wrote:

> No one at MS or on here must have know about a legit update tool

I know about the tool, but I didn't think that you knew the original key
for your installation.

I've had one or two XP systems where I've wanted to change the product
key (say, where I make an exact clone of an existing drive and I want to
give the clone a different product key).

The MS key change tool has never worked. What happens is that when I
run it, all appears to go well, but upon the first system re-start it
wants to validate the new key with Micro$oft, but during the validation
process it says that they system is already validated, and the system is
then stuck in an endless loop.

MS probably designed the key change tool to work for OEM and Volume
License keys, not the "System Builder" version that I deal with.

Any of you MVP's are welcome to chime in here and comment.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> The Windows Product Key Update Tool is always undergoing revision.
> It should work with any genuine full version Windows XP product
> key, including System Builders OEM product keys.

Well, like I said, I've experienced situations where it got the cloned
drive in an endless validation loop.

The other way that I've also tried is to force a re-validation (some
registry settings can do this, so can a hardware change). When you're
doing the validation, you select the telephone method. There's an
option in that method to change the product key. If you enter a new
key, I'm not sure if you have to continue the telephone method for the
change to take hold, or if you can back out of the telephone method and
contine to validate the system (with the new key) using the on-line
method. Either way I don't think I've had luck with that method as
well.

In any case, let me also ask this:

Regardless of which method I use to give a *working-and-validated*
system a new key, will the system have a "memory" of the old key? Is
the validation process designed to insure that Microsoft knows what the
old key was? Will microsoft black-list the old key (even if it was a
good key before the key-change)?

Can I clone my hard drive, give the clone a new key, validate the clone
+ new-key, without "tainting" or invalidating the original key on the
original drive?