Windows Updates on new Hard Drive

My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not under
warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP that
cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the original
purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP that he
has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to do so
because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I originally
purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to do this.
I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.

You'll need to reformat the hard drive and use
the Windows XP recovery CD that came originally
with the computer. If you do not have the original
recovery CD, contact the computer manufacturer for
assistance.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:

| My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not under
| warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP that
| cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the original
| purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP that he
| has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to do so
| because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
| notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I originally
| purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to do this.
| I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.

However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in this
case?


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> You'll need to reformat the hard drive and use
> the Windows XP recovery CD that came originally
> with the computer. If you do not have the original
> recovery CD, contact the computer manufacturer for
> assistance.
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
>
> | My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not under
> | warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP that
> | cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the original
> | purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP that he
> | has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to do so
> | because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
> | notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I originally
> | purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to do this.
> | I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.
>

and don't forget, his old hard drive with the "built in recovery system" is
gone. and I never transferred to CD's.

"c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:

> However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
> computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in this
> case?
>
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>
> > You'll need to reformat the hard drive and use
> > the Windows XP recovery CD that came originally
> > with the computer. If you do not have the original
> > recovery CD, contact the computer manufacturer for
> > assistance.
> >
> > --
> > Carey Frisch
> > Microsoft MVP
> > Windows - Shell/User
> > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
> >
> > | My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not under
> > | warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP that
> > | cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the original
> > | purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP that he
> > | has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to do so
> > | because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
> > | notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I originally
> > | purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to do this.
> > | I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.
> >

Purchase a new, legitimate, copy of Windows XP and perform
a "Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102153

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:


| However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
| computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in this
| case?

With all due respect, Carey.

Advising an OEM customer that they need to purchase a /retail/ FPP in order to
"recover" their perfectly licensed OEM product is, at minimum, a bit
misleading -- not to mention economically onerous, since the retail price of
the FPP (non-upgrade) is US$199.


"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Purchase a new, legitimate, copy of Windows XP and perform
> a "Repair Install".
>
> How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
>
> Example:
>
> Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102153
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
>
>
> | However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
> | computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in
> this
> | case?
>

Yeah.. this is the big problem with OEMs who do not include original media
with their products.

Personally I have always made it a habit to /demand/ the media if a machine is
delivered without it.

The good news is that is it /not/ necessary to purchase a $200 FPP of Windows
XP Home.

Assuming that you do have the original paperwork from the machine, that you do
have the original Certificate of Authenticity and the original OEM Product
Key, and the only thing you are lacking is the OEM media, then you can do an
install with /any/ XP Home Full Install media (Retail or OEM), and as long as
you use the Product Key assigned to that machine (from the original
manufacturer), your system will be properly licensed. The media images for
Retail and OEM for Windows XP Home are /identical/.

So, option one is to re-borrow your friend's media, execute the "Repair"
installation as described by Corey, but instead use /your/ legal Product Key
rather than your friend's illegal product key. However, do this only if the
media that your friend has is a legitimate, holographic "official" Microsoft
Windows XP Home installation CD. Do not use "home burned" CD media for this
purpose.

The second option is to obtain the MagicJellyBean Keyfinder utility and simply
change the Product Key stored on the system to the legal key.. and then
reactivate the product.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml


"c.travis(remove this)@cox.net"
< > wrote in message
news:2C489B7A-5ED2-4DD3-AAA4-...
> and don't forget, his old hard drive with the "built in recovery system" is
> gone. and I never transferred to CD's.
>
> "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
>
>> However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
>> computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in
>> this
>> case?
>>
>>
>> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>>
>> > You'll need to reformat the hard drive and use
>> > the Windows XP recovery CD that came originally
>> > with the computer. If you do not have the original
>> > recovery CD, contact the computer manufacturer for
>> > assistance.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Carey Frisch
>> > Microsoft MVP
>> > Windows - Shell/User
>> > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
>> > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>> >
>> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >
>> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
>> >
>> > | My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not under
>> > | warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP
>> > that
>> > | cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the
>> > original
>> > | purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP that
>> > he
>> > | has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to do
>> > so
>> > | because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
>> > | notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I
>> > originally
>> > | purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to do
>> > this.
>> > | I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.
>> >

Mr. Garvin: Thank you so much for your reply. I did not know how to reply
to Carey's reply. There must be some workaround to this situation. Can I
not somehow input the OEM code that stares at me from the top of his computer
tower to fix this? I do feel as though I am entitled to have this problem
somehow fixed as I originally purchased the product legally. Money does not
come that easily to me, especially being a widowed mother of two boys.


"Lawrence Garvin [MVP]" wrote:

> With all due respect, Carey.
>
> Advising an OEM customer that they need to purchase a /retail/ FPP in order to
> "recover" their perfectly licensed OEM product is, at minimum, a bit
> misleading -- not to mention economically onerous, since the retail price of
> the FPP (non-upgrade) is US$199.
>
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:...
> > Purchase a new, legitimate, copy of Windows XP and perform
> > a "Repair Install".
> >
> > How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
> > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
> >
> > Example:
> >
> > Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM
> > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102153
> >
> > --
> > Carey Frisch
> > Microsoft MVP
> > Windows - Shell/User
> > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
> >
> >
> > | However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
> > | computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in
> > this
> > | case?
> >
>
>
>

Mr. Garvin: How do I change the product key stored on the system? I think
if I do that I will be all set. I am unsure of how to do this.

Thank you.

"Lawrence Garvin [MVP]" wrote:

> Yeah.. this is the big problem with OEMs who do not include original media
> with their products.
>
> Personally I have always made it a habit to /demand/ the media if a machine is
> delivered without it.
>
> The good news is that is it /not/ necessary to purchase a $200 FPP of Windows
> XP Home.
>
> Assuming that you do have the original paperwork from the machine, that you do
> have the original Certificate of Authenticity and the original OEM Product
> Key, and the only thing you are lacking is the OEM media, then you can do an
> install with /any/ XP Home Full Install media (Retail or OEM), and as long as
> you use the Product Key assigned to that machine (from the original
> manufacturer), your system will be properly licensed. The media images for
> Retail and OEM for Windows XP Home are /identical/.
>
> So, option one is to re-borrow your friend's media, execute the "Repair"
> installation as described by Corey, but instead use /your/ legal Product Key
> rather than your friend's illegal product key. However, do this only if the
> media that your friend has is a legitimate, holographic "official" Microsoft
> Windows XP Home installation CD. Do not use "home burned" CD media for this
> purpose.
>
> The second option is to obtain the MagicJellyBean Keyfinder utility and simply
> change the Product Key stored on the system to the legal key.. and then
> reactivate the product.
>
> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
>
>
> "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net"
> < > wrote in message
> news:2C489B7A-5ED2-4DD3-AAA4-...
> > and don't forget, his old hard drive with the "built in recovery system" is
> > gone. and I never transferred to CD's.
> >
> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
> >
> >> However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
> >> computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in
> >> this
> >> case?
> >>
> >>
> >> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
> >>
> >> > You'll need to reformat the hard drive and use
> >> > the Windows XP recovery CD that came originally
> >> > with the computer. If you do not have the original
> >> > recovery CD, contact the computer manufacturer for
> >> > assistance.
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Carey Frisch
> >> > Microsoft MVP
> >> > Windows - Shell/User
> >> > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> >> > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
> >> >
> >> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >> >
> >> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
> >> >
> >> > | My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not under
> >> > | warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP
> >> > that
> >> > | cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the
> >> > original
> >> > | purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP that
> >> > he
> >> > | has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to do
> >> > so
> >> > | because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
> >> > | notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I
> >> > originally
> >> > | purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to do
> >> > this.
> >> > | I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.
> >> >
>
>
>

As suggested:

> obtain the MagicJellyBean Keyfinder utility and simply
> change the Product Key stored on the system to the legal key.. and then
> reactivate the product.
>
> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

The utility is easy to use and contains documentation understandable by all
users.


"c.travis(remove this)@cox.net"
< > wrote in message
news:8CF1956B-897A-4120-9281-...
> Mr. Garvin: How do I change the product key stored on the system? I think
> if I do that I will be all set. I am unsure of how to do this.
>
> Thank you.
>
> "Lawrence Garvin [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Yeah.. this is the big problem with OEMs who do not include original media
>> with their products.
>>
>> Personally I have always made it a habit to /demand/ the media if a machine
>> is
>> delivered without it.
>>
>> The good news is that is it /not/ necessary to purchase a $200 FPP of
>> Windows
>> XP Home.
>>
>> Assuming that you do have the original paperwork from the machine, that you
>> do
>> have the original Certificate of Authenticity and the original OEM Product
>> Key, and the only thing you are lacking is the OEM media, then you can do
>> an
>> install with /any/ XP Home Full Install media (Retail or OEM), and as long
>> as
>> you use the Product Key assigned to that machine (from the original
>> manufacturer), your system will be properly licensed. The media images for
>> Retail and OEM for Windows XP Home are /identical/.
>>
>> So, option one is to re-borrow your friend's media, execute the "Repair"
>> installation as described by Corey, but instead use /your/ legal Product
>> Key
>> rather than your friend's illegal product key. However, do this only if the
>> media that your friend has is a legitimate, holographic "official"
>> Microsoft
>> Windows XP Home installation CD. Do not use "home burned" CD media for this
>> purpose.
>>
>> The second option is to obtain the MagicJellyBean Keyfinder utility and
>> simply
>> change the Product Key stored on the system to the legal key.. and then
>> reactivate the product.
>>
>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
>>
>>
>> "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net"
>> < > wrote in message
>> news:2C489B7A-5ED2-4DD3-AAA4-...
>> > and don't forget, his old hard drive with the "built in recovery system"
>> > is
>> > gone. and I never transferred to CD's.
>> >
>> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
>> >
>> >> However, my son's computer did not come with cd's, it was one of the
>> >> computers that had all the recovery disks "built in" so what do I do in
>> >> this
>> >> case?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > You'll need to reformat the hard drive and use
>> >> > the Windows XP recovery CD that came originally
>> >> > with the computer. If you do not have the original
>> >> > recovery CD, contact the computer manufacturer for
>> >> > assistance.
>> >> >
>> >> > --
>> >> > Carey Frisch
>> >> > Microsoft MVP
>> >> > Windows - Shell/User
>> >> > Microsoft Community Newsgroups
>> >> > news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>> >> >
>> >> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> >
>> >> > "c.travis(remove this)@cox.net" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > | My son's hard drive recently crashed and had to be replaced (not
>> >> > under
>> >> > | warranty). A friend helped and apparently put a copy of Windows XP
>> >> > that
>> >> > | cannot receive updates. I still have the CD key on a tag from the
>> >> > original
>> >> > | purchase on his computer. How can I re-register the version of XP
>> >> > that
>> >> > he
>> >> > | has so that he can receive windows updates. He has been unable to
>> >> > do
>> >> > so
>> >> > | because the validation process won't let him. And he does not get
>> >> > | notifications of updates automatically. I believe that because I
>> >> > originally
>> >> > | purchased the pc with the "legal" version of XP I should be able to
>> >> > do
>> >> > this.
>> >> > | I have tried everything and cannot find a way to do this.
>> >> >
>>
>>
>>