Validating Windows with different Serial

[johnkay21]

Someone came to me and asked me to look at there computer. It turned out there version of Windows XP Pro was not genuine.

 

So I tried to enter a different serial but it said it was not valid for the installation (although I know the serial I was inputing was valid)???

 

Is there away around this or do I need to reinstall Windows?

 

Thanks

[sidewinder]

What serial were you putting in? If its not one that they own it would still be illegal anyway

 

If your key was an OEM one and they have retail XP installed or vice versa, or if you have a manufacturer specific key could be reasons why it didnt work.

[bishopsgarthstockton]

Tell them to buy a genuin version of XP. Hardly breaks the bank. and If it is def a genuin version you will need to get on to microsoft.

[PeterW]

They need the Microsoft get genuine kit. (its called something like that)

[zag]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/getgenuinekit/default.mspx