I just got a laptop with I guess a "illegal" XP key and it wont let me update or anything. Also something would keep popping up asking me to "activate" So I have a real xp cd with me from my other computer before, How can I change just the "key" instead of reinstalling the whole window and have to find all the drivers again. I try googling it but the softwares all require an "activation code". Is there an easier way to just change product key?
Activate it. It'll ask you for a key. Or you could reload. If your key doesn't work, you can just do the 'activate by phone' option. It's automated, and if you just tell it you had to make a hardware change (like motherboard or something) it will give you a new activation code.
i believe there is a 1-800 hundred(microsoft). just call them up and tell them your computer crashed and your trying to reinstall it. that worked for me.... hopefully it works for you
call the hotline number it gives you for an expired or bad activation key and tell them you are trying to reformat your computer and need a new key
