How can I install SP1 to an XP pc with no product key?

nottseagull

I've just bought an old pc with an early copy of XP Professional on it, but no product key or recovery disc came with it. I want to install Service Pack 3, but you can't do this unless SP1 is already installed. Microsoft say I need a product key to install SP1, so what I my options, please?

enigma52

download and run Belarc advisor (free( and it will find the xp key and a lot of other things as well

John_Gray

nottseagull wrote: »

Microsoft say I need a product key to install SP1...

Really? Surely it just needs to have had a valid product key entered, and the operating system activated.

Try also ProduKey but beware that the results that these utilities produce may not be the one which is (or would have been) on the hologrammed sticker usually found on the side of the case, which is the one to use (if available).

dogmaryxx

No need to install anything

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey.zip

nottseagull

John_Gray wrote: »

Really? Surely it just needs to have had a valid product key entered

Sorry, I cannot see how the quote contradicts that. Maybe I should have said XP is up and running, i.e. I didn't have to use any passwords etc.

John_Gray wrote: »

Try also ProduKey .

"......by using command-line options" Hmm..never used those before:o

tripled

The first thing I would do is wipe and re-install the operating system on a 2nd hand computer - even if I had to shell out for a new copy of the operating system.

colin79666

Check on the case of the PC for a COA - its a rectangular sticker that details the Windows software license key and version. If there is not sticker (or if it isn't for XP) then you cannot legally install Windows XP on it unless you have the COA somewhere else (like with the manual) or you go out and buy a legit copy.

Many PCs are sold 2nd hand (with Windows installed) but in reality it is a copy which won't pass activation tests (these get changed with each service pack to try and beat the scammers).

By all means use one of the tools posted about above to extract the key from the current installation but if it fails the activation then without a COA you won't be able to get anywhere with Microsoft.

Hammyman

Seconded. You are looking at buying a legit copy.

Depending on what you're using the computer for, just shove Ubuntu on it and get rid of the security nightmare that is Windows XP.

dispossessed

This may help.

Trevor

redux

Unless the installation method was retrospectively changed, you should be able to manage to install SP1 or SP2 using one of the update CDs made widely available at the time. I'd be surprised if it they aren't still on Windows Update.

I was on dial-up at the time, so I used the CDs. The product key wasn't required.

HoofeHearted

It seems that MS now say that you need SP1 and preferably SP2 before installing SP3.

You can download SP1a ("use if you have not already installed SP1") from here.

You can download SP2 from here.

Further reading seems to confirm that you do not need SP1(a) before installing SP2, so I would suggest downloading & installing SP2, then you are ready for SP3.
Happy updating. :beer: