Windows XP Invalid Key

Hi I need help with WinXP Professional with SP2. I recently ran a check for
updates on Microsoft Web Site. It cam back with the new update wizard to be
installed. I did this and when I ran update aging it asked to validate my
WinXP Version. I accepted this and it then came back with validation failed,
invalid key. I then download a few utilities to check my key and it is the
same as is on my OEM Windows Professional installation pack.

I have now tried the following.

Start by changing one of the values of the Registry Key specified below to
any number 0-9 or character A-F. Changing any character will do - it doesn't
matter which one you change or what you change it to.
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEve nts
Name: ODBETimer
Data Type: REG_BINARY
Value: just change one of the entries as mentioned above
What this will do is deactivate the copy of Windows. Now click Start, Run,
and copy the following into the Run box:
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a

When I run the above script it brings up the registration window and just
tell me product already resisted? I have also tried a few utilities that are
supposed to change the key and these did nothing as well.

Any Ideas?

First, turn on Automatic Updates to make sure your system is being protected
while you are resolving the problem. Second, visit the Microsoft "how to tell" website
to learn how to recognize genuine Windows software. Third, see your reseller and
ask for genuine Windows software, using the report provided during the validation
session for support. The report explains why your system was unable to validate,
and provides instructions for further follow-up.

Is Your Copy of Windows Genuine?
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/h...s/default.mspx

Genuine Windows FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

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

"Dave_" wrote:

| Hi I need help with WinXP Professional with SP2. I recently ran a check for
| updates on Microsoft Web Site. It cam back with the new update wizard to be
| installed. I did this and when I ran update aging it asked to validate my
| WinXP Version. I accepted this and it then came back with validation failed,
| invalid key. I then download a few utilities to check my key and it is the
| same as is on my OEM Windows Professional installation pack.
|
| I have now tried the following.
|
| Start by changing one of the values of the Registry Key specified below to
| any number 0-9 or character A-F. Changing any character will do - it doesn't
| matter which one you change or what you change it to.
| Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
| Key: Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEve nts
| Name: ODBETimer
| Data Type: REG_BINARY
| Value: just change one of the entries as mentioned above
| What this will do is deactivate the copy of Windows. Now click Start, Run,
| and copy the following into the Run box:
| %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a
|
| When I run the above script it brings up the registration window and just
| tell me product already resisted? I have also tried a few utilities that are
| supposed to change the key and these did nothing as well.
|
| Any Ideas?

An easier solution that worked for me: open internet explorer go to
tools/internet options/programs/manage add-ons and disable Microsoft genuine
advantage Active X Control. Close explorer and click on Windows Update. I was
able to update with no problem after that. I know it's not a permanent fix
but it will do until Microsoft repairs this apparently flawed program.

"Dave_" wrote:

> Hi I need help with WinXP Professional with SP2. I recently ran a check for
> updates on Microsoft Web Site. It cam back with the new update wizard to be
> installed. I did this and when I ran update aging it asked to validate my
> WinXP Version. I accepted this and it then came back with validation failed,
> invalid key. I then download a few utilities to check my key and it is the
> same as is on my OEM Windows Professional installation pack.
>
> I have now tried the following.
>
> Start by changing one of the values of the Registry Key specified below to
> any number 0-9 or character A-F. Changing any character will do - it doesn't
> matter which one you change or what you change it to.
> Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
> Key: Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEve nts
> Name: ODBETimer
> Data Type: REG_BINARY
> Value: just change one of the entries as mentioned above
> What this will do is deactivate the copy of Windows. Now click Start, Run,
> and copy the following into the Run box:
> %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a
>
> When I run the above script it brings up the registration window and just
> tell me product already resisted? I have also tried a few utilities that are
> supposed to change the key and these did nothing as well.
>
> Any Ideas?

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:...
> First, turn on Automatic Updates to make sure your system is being
> protected

*NEVER* turn on automatic updates. This WILL kill your computer eventually.

BTW, this is just a way to get already legitimate users to pay for a second
copy of the software.

"NEVER" is a very strong word and like most absolutes usually makes the
statement incorrect as it does in this case.
There are some that need Automatic Updates enabled or their computers will
never get updates.

Automatic Updates is not a way to get legitimate users to pay for a second
copy (license).
If someone has a problem and needlessly purchases another license, their
actual problems are far removed from Automatic Update.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Noozer" <> wrote in message
news:K2qKe.175044$5V4.19303@pd7tw3no...
> *NEVER* turn on automatic updates. This WILL kill your computer
> eventually.
>
> BTW, this is just a way to get already legitimate users to pay for a
> second copy of the software.

Thank you, thank you THANK YOU for this solution. I was going out of my mind
trying to sort out microsoft's rejection of my system. I have always
purchased genuine software but others have installed it for me. The
validation check said my software was not valid. I still need to sort out
that issue but at least I could continue to update following your advice

"jerryrock" wrote:

> An easier solution that worked for me: open internet explorer go to
> tools/internet options/programs/manage add-ons and disable Microsoft genuine
> advantage Active X Control. Close explorer and click on Windows Update. I was
> able to update with no problem after that. I know it's not a permanent fix
> but it will do until Microsoft repairs this apparently flawed program.
>
> "Dave_" wrote:
>
> > Hi I need help with WinXP Professional with SP2. I recently ran a check for
> > updates on Microsoft Web Site. It cam back with the new update wizard to be
> > installed. I did this and when I ran update aging it asked to validate my
> > WinXP Version. I accepted this and it then came back with validation failed,
> > invalid key. I then download a few utilities to check my key and it is the
> > same as is on my OEM Windows Professional installation pack.
> >
> > I have now tried the following.
> >
> > Start by changing one of the values of the Registry Key specified below to
> > any number 0-9 or character A-F. Changing any character will do - it doesn't
> > matter which one you change or what you change it to.
> > Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
> > Key: Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEve nts
> > Name: ODBETimer
> > Data Type: REG_BINARY
> > Value: just change one of the entries as mentioned above
> > What this will do is deactivate the copy of Windows. Now click Start, Run,
> > and copy the following into the Run box:
> > %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a
> >
> > When I run the above script it brings up the registration window and just
> > tell me product already resisted? I have also tried a few utilities that are
> > supposed to change the key and these did nothing as well.
> >
> > Any Ideas?

"newburybabe" wrote

> I know it's not a permanent fix but it will do until Microsoft repairs
> this apparently flawed program.

LOL! It'll snow in Havana before that happens! Why would MS give up such a
good way to trick unknowing PAYING CUSTOMERS into buying XP again?

Alias

Thanks for the response Alias. My next question is how do I find what
activation key is stored on my system so I can check that against the box. I
think there are some messages under windows xp that will help me there.
I agree about the snow in Havana. If folks who build computers for a living
are having trouble, what chance is there for such as I, a semi-competent home
user.
regards

"Alias" wrote:

>
> "newburybabe" wrote
>
> > I know it's not a permanent fix but it will do until Microsoft repairs
> > this apparently flawed program.
>
> LOL! It'll snow in Havana before that happens! Why would MS give up such a
> good way to trick unknowing PAYING CUSTOMERS into buying XP again?
>
> Alias
>
>
>

I don't know, although I have seen answers to this question on xpgeneral.
You might want to ask there.

Alias
"newburybabe" wrote

> Thanks for the response Alias. My next question is how do I find what
> activation key is stored on my system so I can check that against the box.
> I
> think there are some messages under windows xp that will help me there.
> I agree about the snow in Havana. If folks who build computers for a
> living
> are having trouble, what chance is there for such as I, a semi-competent
> home
> user.
> regards
>
> "Alias" wrote:
>
>>
>> "newburybabe" wrote
>>
>> > I know it's not a permanent fix but it will do until Microsoft repairs
>> > this apparently flawed program.
>>
>> LOL! It'll snow in Havana before that happens! Why would MS give up such
>> a
>> good way to trick unknowing PAYING CUSTOMERS into buying XP again?
>>
>> Alias
>>
>>
>>

newburybabe wrote:
> Thanks for the response Alias. My next question is how do I find what
> activation key is stored on my system so I can check that against the
> box. I think there are some messages under windows xp that will help
> me there.
<snipped>

The following web site contains a small utility that displays the key on the
machine;

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

--
Sir_George