Windows XP SP2 Activation Information
 

ok, I *know* this will sound totally and utterly dodgy, and I *am* expecting a vape, but I need to ask.

For reasons too complex and boring to go into, I have a machine running XP Pro SP1. I need to get SP2 onto it, however, I'm fairly sure, that the activation key (serial number, whatever you want to call it) isn't exactly legal. Now, I am not about to call MS and ask them to check it am I :D

The first question is this, when does SP2 ask for the activation key? one assumes it's before it actually upgrades the machine. So I can sit here, run SP2 installer, and have it scream the key is bad, and then just stop there. It's not going to update and leave me with a messed up machine?

Next question is, and you can guess where this is going ;) Where could one obtain a SP2 activation key, or key generator from? I only need the machine in SP2 for, ooh, an hour at most. As most know, I'm a mac chap, so have no real use for XP, however, I have need to check something out under SP2, this will, as said, take minimal time.

Now, I could be lucky and find that the key it is using is a legal one, however, I do feel it won't be, and I know it is bad, but for the sake of an hour I'd rather not have to purchase a key.

Cheeky? quite possibly :D

I heard that the key check was taken out of SP2.

Try this site for advice..

http://www.astalavista.com/

Also read this before you install SP2

http://www.astalavista.com/?section=...ls&newsid=1007

Dan.

You should be ok - I had to install SP2 on a machine with 'unknown parentage' and its fine.

Try this ;)

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/h...s/default.mspx

Or don't

Its your call ;)

sp2 DOES check the keys........
if you have attemted to run sp2 before you have installed reset 5.02 you will have to do this:

Change XP Key.txt:
Change Product Key without Reinstall:

1. Run regedit and go to: HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft
\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents, on the right double click on
"oobetimer" and change at least one digit of this value to deactivate
windows.

2. Choose run from start menu and type in this command:
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a to get the activation screen
and go to the second option which is activate by phone
.
3. In the new screen choose the option to change product key, and type
in the new product key (Corporate one only).

4. Close that window, reboot your system and enter the command in step 2
for the second time to verify your activation , you should see "windows
is already activated".

shunty;-)

the above works fine. there are other ways of doing it as well.
forgot to add, obviously you will have to spend an extra 10 seconds googling to get a key:D

shunty

Ok, method seems the same as with SP1 and a dodgy activation key.

Thanks for the advice chaps. I'll let you know what I find out.

YHPM

thanks, got it and replied :)