Change WinXP Product Key

[Martoch]

Hi guys.


Okie dokie, I've got a client PC here with XP Pro SP1 installed with a blacklisted CD Key that is already activated. The customer admitted getting the key online, but did give me a legal XP disc with a valid CD Key and asked me to change it for him. So I run the XP Key Changer program (a few different versions), but when I launch it I get "Windows is already Activated, click Ok to exit". So I tried this fix from Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;328874

Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Cu rrent Version\WPAEvents
4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.
6. Click Start, and then click Run.
7. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
8. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.
9. Click Change Product key.
10. Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.

If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.
11. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. You receive the following message:
Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.

No help, I still get the "already activated" message when I try to change the key. Safe mode is no different as it won't even let me run the activation wizard. Logging on to the local admin account doesn't work either. I told the guy I could just reload his system with the new key, but he doesn't want to have to put everything back on it again, blah blah blah.

So...if I can't get his key changed to the legal key he just purchased, he probably won't pay me.

HELP ME GET PAID!!!


Thanks,
Mike

[radio1_mike]

Hey M,

Try downloading this program: Regscrub XP 3.25

It is a registry cleaner, but it can execute tweaks if you want. One of them is to change registration info for Windows OS.

Here's a link:
(I wish I could tell ya step by step another more direct way, because I know it can be done easily... but I ferget....!)

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048

[paul9]

Personally, I would delete the wpa.dbl file, but I do not know if it would work. Try keeping a backup copy of it, just in case.
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ is where it lives.

[Martoch]

Tried that already, paul...no good...it just puts another one right back when I launch the wizard. Even when I replaced it with mine (just for test purposed), it still said already activated.

I'm going to try your suggestion now, radio1_mike...I already have RegScrub installed.

Thanks.

EDIT: All I see in RegScrub is 'change registered Owner and Organization'. I don't think that will help my problem though.

[Martoch]

Hmmm...how do I create a script like this?
http://support.microsoft.com/default...23120121120120

Maybe that will work?
This guy said the script worked for him.

Originally Posted by Microsoft

The following example shows how to use the ChangeVLKeySP1.vbs script from a command line:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type the following command, where AB123-123AB-AB123-123AB-AB123 is the new product key that you want to use, and then click OK:
c:\changevlkeysp1.vbs ab123-123ab-ab123-123ab-ab123

Can somebody please explain how I can create and execute this script properly? When I try that from a command line, I get 'this is not recognized as an internal command..."

[laylow]

Originally Posted by Martoch

Hmmm...how do I create a script like this?
http://support.microsoft.com/default...23120121120120

Maybe that will work?
This guy said the script worked for him.



Can somebody please explain how I can create and execute this script properly? When I try that from a command line, I get 'this is not recognized as an internal command..."

Magic Jellybean Keyfinder uses that method. If you click on Options/Change Windows Keys there is a link to the Microsoft article about that method.

[Martoch]

Wow, the Jellybean worked..easy as can be.

Thanks for the suggestion, I knew about the Jellybean key finder but I didn't realize it changed keys as well.

$$$