Changing windows XP product key

[ToxicPiranah]

Quick bit of background, I'm a first line tech in a secondary school, a few months back we had the "This is not a genuine copy of Windows" nonsense. Short story we found out that our windows key might have been leaked, MS gave us a new one and we sorted out the dozen or so computers that had the problem. Every now and again a new one crops up and we effect the product key change as detailed on the MS techsite: How to change the Volume Licensing product key on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 1 and later versions of Windows XP.

 

However recently we have had two or three computers that, when you come to change the key and get to the part where you select Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows. Nothing happens. The button depresses as if clicked but then nothing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas why this happens and how it can be resolved?

 

Thanks

[Arthur]

Have you tried Microsoft's Windows Product Key Update Tool? If not, I would try this next.

 

How it works

The Windows Product Key Update Tool will make changes to your Windows installation to update your product key. In addition, the tool will scan a number of key Windows files to determine if they have been tampered with. If tampered files are discovered, the Windows Product Key Update Tool will alert you before continuing. (Source)

[SneakyBeaky]

I use WinKeyFinder

Win keyfinder Product Key Finder For Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and MS Office 2000, MS Office XP, MS Office 2007, MS Office 2010

[X-13]

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\Key-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX\

 

 

That's where the licence key is.

 

 

I generally use regedit, once I've made the reg file, to change it when I have to. [i <3 Regedit]

[K.C.Leblanc]

Sorry for digging out an old thread but what would happen if I used one of these methods to give a volume key to an OEM installation?

[X-13]

As far as I know... Nothing.

 

Although, some OEM software may check for a key so it could balls up.

 

 

If the OEM key is fine, why change it?

[K.C.Leblanc]

If the OEM key is fine, why change it?

 

Activation can do some funny things when we image stuff.

[X-13]

Now I'm interested...

 

 

What sort of weird things?

[K.C.Leblanc]

Now I'm interested...

 

 

What sort of weird things?

 

It doesn't happen very often but sometimes a computer re just decide it needs to be reactivated.

 

Also if you're being naughty and moving an image on to a computer with different hardware it can demand reactivation. However if you need to install new NIC drivers you're stuffed.