OK, I have a dilemma I need some advise on...I bought a used laptop a few years ago that was sent to me with XP Pro on it. I haven't had any problems until I recently went to add SP2 to it and it came back with a notice stating I didn't have a validate copy of XP...Now I am trying to purchase XP and have seen OEM versions and retail versions but I am wondering if I get a new copy of XP how do I install it without wiping out my entire computer? I tried to use aSP2 disk and got the same validation notice. I don't want to erase my computer but just get a new legal copy on it...I was told it could be done as a "repair" but I don't know how that is done, can anyone help?
Once you get a valid serial key, simply follow the steps on the following site. http://www.petri.co.il/change_the_serial_in_windows_xp.htm You should be able to change your serial without having to change anything in the software. If you have any problems, simply call Microsoft and they'll help you.
