Serial Number

pcknight · 6 Jun 2006 at 10:00

My mate had a PC built by someone in Uni and it turns out that the windows thast was put on was not a legal copy!! Unfortunately the guy that built the PC has now left the UNI. My mate has bought a legal version of XP but instead of re-formatting etc, is there a way he can put the serial number of the legal XP into his pc without formatting? They are both XP Pro.

He does not want to format. He has a lot of gb's of files on the pc. Thanks

UKDTweak · 6 Jun 2006 at 10:03

there is a way of unregistering windows so that you can enter a new key and re-register, however unless the version installed is the exact same as the version your mate has bought, the new key will not be accepted.

Uhtred · 6 Jun 2006 at 10:07

As above...

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874

Worth a try, probably won't work though as you will have a corp version installed.

pcknight · 6 Jun 2006 at 10:12

Whats a Corp version?

Sputnik II · 6 Jun 2006 at 11:32

Microsoft have a bit of software that can do what you want but, I think they only supply it with this new 'genuine windows kit' thing they do.

pcknight · 6 Jun 2006 at 13:57

Well, my mate has now bought a 'Proper' version from that well known PC place. Cost a bit too!

dalex · 6 Jun 2006 at 14:09

google for magical jelly bean key finder
dave

pcknight · 6 Jun 2006 at 14:31

Thanks but mate has a proper version now.

Burnsy2023 · 6 Jun 2006 at 15:43

monkeybutt said:
Whats a Corp version?

Search for the Windows XP Licensing FAQ. It tells you there.

Burnsy

f00b4r · 7 Jun 2006 at 11:50

You could use his legit copy to repair install and then you would be able to use his genuine key.

tom_e · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:05

the magical jelly bean key finder allows you to view your current key and also change it to a new one so its exactly what your mates after

pcknight · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:24

I know. Great little program but my mate had already done the format etc etc. Cheers though.