I have been trying to change my Windows XP Pro Product Key by the method prescribed by Microsoft (Q328874). I follow the steps, I am told that change is complete, but the Product Key hasn't changed. Any ideas? Terry

I dont mean to sound sarcastic or anyting.. But.. Are you entering a new cd key? Different from the old one?

That article that you are refering to is for a replacement COA if you have found that your exixting COA has been determined to be counterfieted or stolen or just not acceptable for any reason from M$. You must have already pruchased a newer COA from M$ so as to change the existing one. You cannot just go in there and type in random numbers/letters to see if they will work for the new COA will still have to be activated after the change. After the notation that it worked you should have been asked to reboot and then on boot up you will be notified to reactivate or that activation was complete. IN THE MATTERS OF STYLE, swim with the current; in matters of principle, STAND LIKE A ROCK

There's another reason to not use XP; as if another was needed. M2

I agree, things were much simpler with DOS ;-) "I know that I'm mad - I've always been mad..."

Changing Windows XP Product Key It might sound fishy, but this is the truth: Our small non-profit received a volume license but only 1 Windows XP Pro CD. At the time, we were all in the central office. Now, I am across country and needed to install on new PC. I was sent a copy. I know, a copy, but with a unique Product Key, I was told. But I cannot install with this key and there is no one at the central office to help me for a few weeks. I was able to install the CD using a different (yes, bootlegged) Product Key. According to MS, this is the type of situation covered by the Change the Product Key procedure. I followed the procedure and everything worked fine. I even did the SP1 upgrade with no problems. When I tried to install SP2, I received the error of Product Key may not be valid. Because I follow the process and my unique Product Key is not accepted, do I assume that the key is bad, my procedure is bad, or that I am using the wrong method? Thanks. Terry

Would this work: using unused Product Key from other PC? I just realized that my wife has two internal drives, both with XP OS (one Home, the other Pro). She uses the Pro drive for storage only; in fact, it came from a discarded PC. (When I booted that drive to check the OS and Key, I was prompted to Activate before use; hardware changes were detected, of course.) Can I disable that OS, use my "created" CD to install, and activate with the real, unused Product Key? Terry