XP Product Key: can PK be changed after install?

[Basilisk]

I've just created a new computer using a legit' M$ WinXP Pro oem Product Key I bought last week.

Another (Win98se) system of mine is down with obscure problems. I've decided to replace it, building another XP/pro box as that will fix several problems including the obscure one. Building a from-scratch 98se box seems impractical as this system has so many layers of Upgrades/Updates [back to Win98] that I can't face all that, much as I loathe handing Willie the cash.


An "additional Professional License Bundle" [Product Key] for this second box has been ordered, but 'will take days to arrive. Can I build the second system using the first PK, and then switch to its new PK when that arrives? [& -how-?]


I vaguely recall a moment in constructing the first system where XP said [roughly]: "would you like to register your Key with M$ now? You must do it within 30 days." If I can build it now, alter the PK in a week, and register it then this would let me get back up and running more quickly.

I presume I could NOT install any of the XP Updates until I registered it, which does beg the question "what can I gain by starting early?": installing Updates/SP's is the major time-consuming step for XP.


Thanks!

PS: I'm an XP noobee. Any real gains from picking up XP/Plus! or that extra digital media [?] pkg? Doesn't read like there's that much of use to either pack... just a way for M$ to nickel and dime one to death... or am I wrong?

 

[CTho9305]

www.google.com change xp key

 

[Basilisk]

Originally posted by: CTho9305
www.google.com change xp key

* googleplex

Considering how many hours a day I spend Googling, it is RIDICULOUS that I didn't try your suggestion before posting! (I did search the Forum, at least.)

Maybe 2.5 hours sleep has something to do with it.... Maybe I better go to bed and catch up before approaching the re-build.

Thanks for not being harsh !

J

 

[KF]

>I presume I could NOT install any of the XP Updates until I registered it...

No problem at all to install the updates. A lot of people are totally illegal, and totally up to date through the MS update site. A lot of people never register. Not even all legal versions of XP require activation.

 

[Saltin]

This VB script will do it for you automaticaly. Add the new Product Key in where the XXX's are. No dashes or spaces. Give it a second to work, there are a few pauses.


Dim oRegShell
Dim oShell
Set oRegShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
oRegShell.RegWrite "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents\oobetimer", 0, "REG_BINARY" 'Clear WPA key so that msoobe will run
Wscript.Sleep 3000
Set oShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
oShell.Run "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a" 'Run activation program
Wscript.Sleep 8000
oShell.AppActivate "Activate"
Wscript.Sleep 5000
oShell.SendKeys "%t%n" 'Select second option "activate by phone" and hit next
Wscript.sleep 3000
oShell.SendKeys "%p" 'Change product key
' Maybe some wait time while key is generated
WScript.Sleep 13000 'multiple by 1000 for seconds
oShell.SendKeys "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX" 'product key, without dashes.
oShell.SendKeys "%u" 'Hit "update"
wscript.sleep 3000
oShell.SendKeys "%{F4}" 'Close Activation program.

 

[CTho9305]

Cool! That's very interesting - helps me out with another thing I was trying to do .