XP Change Key

[MTIH1992]

Hi, is there a way to change my Windows XP pro Corperate Edition With SP1a CD Key 'coz i typed it in wrong when I instelled it for the 1st time. I dont wanna Format or re-install. Please help.

Matt

[Mattk]

but surely if u simply typed it in wrongly it would say key invalid and ask again ?

[MTIH1992]

it didnt. it did the 1st time, then i must of typed it in again but it workd that time. now when i try install SP2 it sez invalid key. so i must of typed it in slightly rong

[Mobius1]

The keys for Windows XP are more than 25 charaters in length, if you'd have typed it in even "slightly" wrong, the chances are it would simply not have worked at all. If it did work, then it means it was a valid CD key and was typed in correctly, which means it should work now.

Unless of course you illegally installed the operating system using, say, a ghosting application and now that Microsoft actually validates the keys before allowing you to use the OS properly, you're in a bit of a pickle?

Sorry if I sound cynical, only this sounds very much like it may be the case as that is the only likely explanation I can think of for it no longer recognising your CD key.

[dodgyshirt]

If, as an ordinary user, you have installed the Corporate edition, then it is almost certainly a pirated copy as you are no doubt aware. These were readily available a few years ago on the auction sites for about �10 and came with a choice of codes which Microsoft are aware of. The Corporate edition was the pirates choice because it did not require activation.

As Mobius said, the Microsoft update service now validates every Operating System install before it will allow you to download any relevant updates.

Microsoft has recognized yours as one of the known pirated codes and rightly informed you that it is not a valid key code.This has nothing whatsoever to do with typing it in 'slightly wrongly'

I would hazard a guess that your code started with:- FCKGW etc

You are now stuck with an OS which cannot be updated past SP2 as this can be installed with the update contained on a CD obtainable from PC Worlds help desk.

Alternatively you can buy a small programme off Ebay which will allow you to change the key but you will still need to get a valid key from somewhere but bearing in mind that Corporate edition keys are exclusive to that edition, that won't be easy.

[MTIH1992]

no pirated version. my dad needs it for his company.

Actualy, for your information, it starts with 8BCD7

[dodgyshirt]

The chances of you 'slightly' typing in the wrong code and it still being accepted are a million to one. You must therefore have typed in the correct code at the second attempt.

To check the code you have installed, download and install This programme which will give you every bit of information you need to know about your PC including the key code.

If it shows that you have in fact typed in the code correctly, then I leave you to draw your own conclusions regarding the validity of your OS.

Incidentally, the code I suggested was the commonest one used, I can suppply you with about 40 others, all of which will make the OS work but will not now update due to the validation measures that Microsoft introduced about a month ago.