SP2 Problem

[owen_e]

im not sure what the Piracy rules are like in these forums, but ill ask this anyway.

i just SP2 on an illegitimate copy of WINXP and now it says i cant log on til i activate WIndows. Which when i do, says it doesnt register the Product Key. And i have to log off. So i cant do anything.

can i just enter any Product Key or do i have to one that is specific to my windows. and if no, what can i do?

[jeffrow]

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Oper..._20764317.html


Read that link. If you have a valid key, it tells you how to resolve. If not, you will have to get a legit key

[owen_e]

either that didnt answer my question or i dont understand fully.

i have just got some WINXP s/n off the net. can i just enter one of these and it will be accepted?

[jeffrow]

NO...the serial number you got off the net is probably one of a series that were released by Microsoft that they have blocked access to after SP2 runs. Do a search at google and you can read about it. You need to buy a licensed copy of XP.

Read this story, but here is a snip from it....

According to Nieman, Microsoft has banned two codes that are all over the Net. These particular numbers were internal to Microsoft but got loose. He says these two keys now represent 90 percent of all bogus activations.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/02/...pwinman_1.html

Jeff

[owen_e]

thanks heaps for your help...

so wat can i do about this???

what will happen if i enter one of these codes off the net?

Can i somehow re-install Windows without SP2?
i would be happy to continue without SP2 as long as i get my computa back. or has Microsoft 'got me' (as in, i HAVE to buy WinXP)

[Jazz]

Like jeffrow stated, buy a legitimate version of Windows XP Home or Professional and you will have your own Product Key.

That way, you will not encounter the issue you are currently experiencing.