Windows XP Activation

[Nigel]

Ok, here goes!

My girlfriends Dad has XP pro installed on his computer (Dodgy copy). He is now getting the windows genuine notifications. I have bought a new copy of XP Pro for him. I've tried changing his product key to the new one but I still keep getting the windows genuine notifications! Does anyone know why???

If I can't change this what would happen if I re-install the new copy of windows over the old version? Would I need to re-install all the programs (don't mind doing this) and would I need to re setup his broadband, email settings and device drivers (I don't have all his details for this)?

Or would it be best to install a new hard drive and do a fresh install of windows? Only problem with this is that I don't have all the drivers to hand or all of his connection details.

Hope someone can be of help??

 

[JamesRT]

Editing the registry
Begin by opening the Registry Editor (Start>Run, type "regedit" and press ok) and navigating to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents

In 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

where %systemroot% is your Windows directory. In many cases, this command will look like:
C:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

At this point, Windows will launch the Product Activation Wizard.

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Robbed from some website, try it.

 

[Nigel]

Thats how I have already tried changing the key. The problem is once I have entered the new key I'm still getting the windows genuine notifications?

Thats why I didn't know if reinstalling would be the best option?

 

[ollie]

reformat will sort it.. you can get an app tht gets rid of genuine advantage shite tho ill try find it

 

[ollie]

have a scan at that link i pmed you

 

[Griff]

Reformat the drive completely and then install the genuine Windows.

 

[Munson]

Off topic slightly;

I got owned when I installed my new Raptor OS drive the other day. I tried to activate windows and was told I'd used my product key too many times. Spent I while on the blower to MS verifying my shizzle and eventually got it sorted out. Pain in the 'arris

That was after a few hours having trouble getting the OS to boot in the first place. What should have been a straight forward drive install and image restore, turned out to be a 3-4h job with a fresh install and 3 years of updates. Not impressed.

 

[Nigel]

Thanks for the pm olliee. I'm tempted to try the link but I still wouldn't be able to get the critical updates would I???

Griff. You think I'd be better with a fresh install rather than trying to install the new copy over the old one? I'm just worried about setting up his emails, braodband and device drivers.

Windows activation ahs always been fine for me until now!

 

[ollie]

Thanks for the pm olliee. I'm tempted to try the link but I still wouldn't be able to get the critical updates would I???

Yes, there is a site where you can download all the microsoft updates in a .exe installer thing, gimme 30 mins and i will find it for you.

Griff. You think I'd be better with a fresh install rather than trying to install the new copy over the old one? I'm just worried about setting up his emails, braodband and device drivers.

Windows activation ahs always been fine for me until now!

Personally, i would just reformat, but i reformat every few months anyway, lol:approve::approve:

best thing to do is make sure you take note of all the email / broadband settings before you reformat. And same with drivers, make sure you grab the drivers for everything before you reformat, and then pop them on a disk in case you ever need to do it again.

 

[TheCake]

If you call Microsoft they'll tell you how to do it mate. You don't need to reformat. They're quite helpful had to do it for a client.

 

[Stuart.Atkinson]

u need to de-active XP, then change the key, ive got a proggy that can do this if u want it? wont b able to send until later on tho ? i know it works cos ive changed mine to the student edition