Legitimizng XP x64

[UltimaBoB]

My XP x64 is illegal.

Is there a way I can just use my credit card to legitimize it?

XP 64 is supported in the WGA validation process. But does that mean I can't get one of those advantage kits to make mine legit?

Basically, I've got the product activation countdown going on and I'm in no mood for a reinstall of my OS right now. How do I pay cash to Microsoft to make product activation go away?

My OS was put on by a technician who recently repaired my computer and whom I cannot contact. I have no product key or anything.

All I want is to NOT reinstall my OS. Will pay MS whatever cash they want lol

 

[htne]

Originally posted by: UltimaBoB
Will pay MS whatever cash they want lol

You should never make broad statements like that! Basically, Microsoft is like AT&T back in the 60's - they want every nickel you now have, every nickel you ever had, and every nickel you ever will have. Simple, eh?

ON EDIT: Seriously though, you can change the Windows XP CD key with "Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder". (Heck of a name, huh?)

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

To get a legitimate product key, call Microsoft and have your credit card handy.

If you go here:

http://support.microsoft.com/d...?scid=kb;en-us;Q328874

Microsoft has a process for changing the CD key, but keyfinder (above) is MUCH easier. And I just checked, it works under XP 64.

 

[UltimaBoB]

okay so I just buy a new copy electronically. Now WGA upgrade. Cool.

I use CD key changer to change the CD key.

BUT see I am caught in the product activation loop. When I click "yes" to actiovate it says it has already been activated. There is no prompt to put in the product key.

Not sure what to do.

I just want the least time consuming way to keep going without a reinstall lol

 

[QuixoticOne]

I'm not sure I understand what the current problem is... but if you need to DEACTIVATE it
so you can enter your new key AGAIN to get it to repeat the full activation process with the new key, here's what should work.

Look for a file called: wpa.dbl under the C: drive somewhere under whatever your Windows or WINNT or WINDOWS or whatever directory is.

It will likely be a hidden / system file so you'll have to set your Explorer to view hidden/system files and show file extensions for you to find / see it even as Administrator.

You could drop to an command prompt and do:
dir c:\wpa.dbl /s/p

and probably find it that way.

Rename it to something like wpa.dbl.old or copy it and delete it or whatever.
Reboot and you should be deactivated with very little (maybe none) grace time left to activate.
Then if you do an activation it should be able to use the key you've already entered to activate online or on the phone or whatever. I suppose you could verify you've used the key changer and the currently installed key is the one you intend to use before you try to activate.

You should be able to do this process any number of times needed until you're able to get the activation process completed with the new key or whatever.

If you restore the old wpa.dbl file you copied and reboot you MIGHT be able to get the PC back to the same state of grace time as you had before but that is not guaranteed, and not likely if you do actually change the keys relative to what it had at the time you copied the file, etc.

As for the PC technician etc... sometimes a valid XP license will want to be reactivated SIMPLY because you've made changes to the system hardware / drivers / BIOS etc. even if the key itself is fully legitimate etc. If you think that the key that you had been using and/or the key the tech. left you with should work, well, I'd check into activating that before you spend money on a new key you may not need. Sometimes on OEM PCs a valid key will not activate ONLINE if you've even made slight changes to the hardware or have reinstalled the OS using a different CD than the OEM used; that doesn't mean the OEM key you have isn't valid, it just means you may need to CALL IN to do the activation over the phone instead of "ONLINE" with that key.

Good luck; WGD (Windows Genuine Disadvantage) sucks.