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Change XP SP2 CD-Key?
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axlman
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10. April 2006 @ 10:34 |
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I work for a small system builder and sometimes I have to do what we call a Cross-Ship" basically, depending on the customer and system, etc. I sometimes just send the customer a new system before I get back the defective system, so when I do this, I never tell the customer to send back their OS CD and CD key. I just keep the OS here at the office and put it with the system old system when I get it back. So this way, the customer has the key that they originaly purchased. Saves alot of xtra paper work etc.
Anyway, I've searched Google, and found nothing. I'm looking for a way to beable to change the CD-Key on a Win XP Pro w/SP2 system.
I've found an article on MS's site but it only pertains to XP w/SP1, so I've tried it anyway and it still did not work. I've tried the cd key changers that are online but they don't work either. Activation just keeps telling me that the current key is already activated. I can not get to a point where it allows me to telephone a rep. so I can change they key. We only supply valid keys and we do not use pirated copies, etc.
I'm hoping that maybe someone knows how to change the CD-Key for XP SP2.
It would save me a lot of time because right now the only way for me to use the CD-Key that the customer bought/got with the original system is to format and reload the OS.
Thanks for any help!
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Senior Member
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10. April 2006 @ 12:49 |
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axlman
Member
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10. April 2006 @ 13:13 |
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I'm not looking for a way to find the key, I need a way to change the key so I don't have to reload the system. Does the keychanger work for XP SP2?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. April 2006 @ 13:55
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AfterDawn Addict
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10. April 2006 @ 13:19 |
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Thanks Morph416
You should apolagize axlman,
I have been looking for a similar program myself
Cheers and thanks again.
I think this feature is on on the newest version though.
I will link to this version worked for me.
http://forums.winkeyfinder.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1
Here are some key features of "WinKeyFinder":
· View/change XP Key
· View/Change MS office Key
· View Win98 Key
· view Win2000 Key
· View .Net Key
· View Win2003 Key
· Back up WinXP Activation
· Save Your Product Key By Encrypting It
Possunt Quia Posse Videntur. This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. April 2006 @ 13:21
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axlman
Member
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10. April 2006 @ 13:53 |
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Apologize? For what? I'm thankful for the reply, but a key finder is not what I'm looking for. I've tried that program before, it did not work. Not for SP2 at least!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. April 2006 @ 13:54
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donewell
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10. April 2006 @ 14:31 |
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Hi. Don't know if this is what you want but techrepublic.com has an artical in their site on the left side under most popular articals.
How to change product key in xp
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axlman
Member
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10. April 2006 @ 14:35 |
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Ok, I'll take a look. Thanks :)
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donewell
Member
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10. April 2006 @ 14:36 |
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Sorry it's on the right side
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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10. April 2006 @ 15:09 |
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Heres a link:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
to a tool called KeyFinder by some magicaljellybean software person. I know (by reading the previous posts) that you do not want to FIND the key you want to CHANGE the key. And if I am thinking correctly in this FREE tool there is an option to do just that. Hope this helps. Once again this FREE tool finds the key AND lets you change it.
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axlman
Member
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10. April 2006 @ 17:18 |
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Ok, I'll try that one again, I think I've tried it before though. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post a reply so far!
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Senior Member
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10. April 2006 @ 18:46 |
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No apologies necessary. The problem with changing keys is that the key type must match the installation type. Corp keys to corp keys, retail to retail...OEM to OEM..etc. You cannot change an OEM installation to a retail, or change a pirated corp key to a purchased retail key. WinKey Finder won't do that either.
I have successfully used the program to replace pirated keys on customers comps by having them buy a key from MS. Otherwise it costs them a completely new installation with their key.
@Pea
WinKey Finder does change keys!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. April 2006 @ 18:53
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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10. April 2006 @ 19:03 |
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@Morph416
I didnt mean to say that none of the software other people mentioned wont work I was just giving axlman another option. Just a little mix-up :-)
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Senior Member
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10. April 2006 @ 19:08 |
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The more the merrier, I agree!
The problem he was most likely facing isn't SP2, as I use it on SP2, I won't install Windows on a machine with anything less than that...but rather the type of key he was trying to change it to.
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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10. April 2006 @ 19:17 |
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LOL Tru'Dat :P - PeaInAPod
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axlman
Member
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11. April 2006 @ 06:45 |
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Ok, Well the thing here is that I'm not worried about any kind of keys.! :) I really am using legit keys and OEM CD Packs for these systems. Just trying to save time so I don't have to reload the syste, just to change the key.
:)
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Senior Member
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11. April 2006 @ 08:38 |
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Oy vey....Axlman, I think you missed the entire point I was making.
Key changers like WinKey Finder, cannot and WILL NOT change a key from one version to another. They must be the same. This doesn't have anything to do with the keys you use, but the keys they used.
For example. A customer comes into your shop needing a key change. They give you a "retail" key...a key type only found when purchasing XP off the shelf at a local software store/vendor. However, the customer previously used a corporate key/CD to install XP to their system. How do you know? Cuz there won't be any activation requirements. Now, you try using WinKey Finder only to find out that it will say "Key cannot be changed".
A corporate installation is different than a retail, oem or upgrade install as it doesn't require activation and bypasses certain files during setup. There are also significant registry differences. WinKey Finder must be able to match those registry entries to the key in order for the change to work. This also goes for the basic XP key change solution provided by Microsoft.
In other words, you cannot use the OEM keys you have to change their corporate, retail or upgrade keys.
However, it may be possible to use the OEM CD to do a repair installation and use the OEM key.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11. April 2006 @ 20:45
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axlman
Member
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12. April 2006 @ 07:19 |
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Well, Thank you Morph416.
I just got to work and put that Keyfinder to work and it worked great! Thanks again for all your help!
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Senior Member
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12. April 2006 @ 07:24 |
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Anytime my friend, anytime.
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axlman
Member
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13. April 2006 @ 12:28 |
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Hey Morph,
Would you happen to know if this changer also works for Windows 2003 Server with and without SP1? If it does not, do you know of one that does?
Thanks
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Senior Member
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13. April 2006 @ 13:13 |
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It supports both versions.
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axlman
Member
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13. April 2006 @ 13:58 |
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So it should beable to change the 2003 server key as well?
I just tried running on a 2003 server system and I get an "unexspected error"
Guess I'll have to try to find out why
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Senior Member
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14. April 2006 @ 17:19 |
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Seeing as it's a server title and worth 4x the price of XP....there shouldn't be any real reason to change the key in 2003. It should be a legitimate one.
Keep in mind the last one is still in beta...so the issue you are facing may be fixed in the final release.
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axlman
Member
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15. April 2006 @ 09:52 |
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Oh, It is Legit, no worries here about that! The thing is, is that on the systems that we have to load server on, we have to load it for initial testing before we send it off to our customer. Our customer then Ghosts their image of server onto the system. They Ghost their image because we are all in the Telephony computer business and they have thier image set and loaded with their Telephony software already on it! A legit code key sticker is placed on every system that we sell to them and of course stays on the system when our customer sells it to their customer, but all the systems tend to have the same key installed.
I'll have to see if Microsoft has a way to edit the registry to where maybe it would reset the activation so the Code Key can be changed!
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axlman
Member
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15. April 2006 @ 09:53 |
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Again, Thanks for all your help Morph!
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Senior Member
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15. April 2006 @ 10:50 |
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It may be possible under the terms of agreement that the same key can be used to install 2003 on several machines within a company. That agreement is between them and MS.
Check your PMs.
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