HELP: 2nd hand PC winxp woes :S

[kevingpo]

I just realised that my 2nd hand PC Windows XP version is of type XP Corp. I heard this was a copied variant of Windows XP Pro. I don't like this. Is it possible to change this type of Windows (XP Corp), into normal Windows XP Retail, or OEM versions? It must be stored as a flag or something in registry right?

[enuffsaid]

I'm a WinXP Corp user. WinXP Pro and WinXP Pro (Corp. Edition) differ only in their activation. The Corp Edition doesn't need to be activated. If I were you I'd go for the Corp version. Try to extract the key from your corp. setup. Mind you, you can't use corp keys on the Pro retail version. You'll need the corp version for new installs.

Perhaps you've gotten it from your company. I've worked for two companies who would let you use their corp version at home. Somehow it was part of the licensing. Perhaps it was for you, too.

Good luck!

'nuff

Edited January 24, 2006 by enuffsaid

[kevingpo]

I have tried the:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;EN-US;328874

article on changing the "Volume License Product Key" via reseting the activation, etc. But it doesn't work. The PC is a dell PC and there's a sticker of the authentic Windows cd key on it. However I believe this cd key is for the OEM version of windows xp. If so, is it possible using this oem cd key for this windows xp corp? Coz I tried entering it in via the above method and it just keeps on saying invalid key.

Or maybe the key is for original windows? Does it make a difference whether my current windows is SP2?

I'm a WinXP Corp user. WinXP Pro and WinXP Pro (Corp. Edition) differ only in their activation. The Corp Edition doesn't need to be activated. If I were you I'd go for the Corp version. Try to extract the key from your corp. setup. Mind you, you can't use corp keys on the Pro retail version. You'll need the corp version for new installs.

Perhaps you've gotten it from your company. I've worked for two companies who would let you use their corp version at home. Somehow it was part of the licensing. Perhaps it was for you, too.

Good luck!

'nuff

[enuffsaid]

No, you can't use an OEM key on a Corp. Edition nor vice versa. You can't use a Corp key for for Pro Retail nor vice versa.

The service pack level is not relevant.

There are tools available that will extract you CD key for you. Google for it.

Hope that helps.

'nuff

Edited January 24, 2006 by enuffsaid