Windows XP Validation

impecunious

Bought a PC but the copy of windows is bogus. Have been given a genuine business copy to use but windows will not let me re-install the genuine copy over the fake one as the business one is of an earlier date. How can I change the activation without the labourious chore of starting from scratch?
All i really want to do is change the licence over.


TIA

moob_2

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure you will have to reformat and install from scratch...

Alternatively, take the pc back to the retailer and demand a genuine copy of Windows, or you will have a chat with trading standards.

banger9365

yes you can do take it back to the retailer and then trading standard put there is a loop hole with that moob,most retailer (little computer shop)usually say some where on the recipt no softwere suppled unless you asked for xp in the first place and then you would have a oem disc and code and it will be on your recipt

moob_2

I know what you're saying banger, but the XP they load onto the machine must be valid. By law. Depends on the circumstances, as you say.

moneyuser

You can change the licence using the Key Update Tool provided by MS.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/9/c/e9c73b60-bff1-4f03-b06f-d3cbe8f8d9f4/KeyUpdateTool.exe

I have used it on various PC's without problems.

redux

and here are instructions for it - pretty self-evident really

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx