bluedragon

Why you need to update Windows XP, to Service Pack 1, 2, or 3?
Today, most programs/softwares require at least Windows XP with Service Pack 2, if you don't have an updated Windows XP to Service Pack 2, you will have to search for the older versions of the program/software you are trying to download.  Most modern programs will not be available to you unless you update your windows, this is why I created this tutorial for Windows XP update: Trouble shooting.

When you have the windows update program pop up, asking you to update your windows XP to service pack 1, 2 or 3, do you get the message "The product key used to install Microsoft Windows may not be valid. For more information about why you have received this error message, and steps you can take to resolve this issue visit www.howtotell.com/xpsp2." or "The product key used to install Microsoft Windows may not be valid. Please contact your system administrator or retailer immediately to obtain a valid Product Key. You may also contact Microsoft Corporation's Anti-Piracy Team by emailing piracy@microsoft.com if you think you have purchased pirated Microsoft software. Please be assured that any personal information you send to the Microsoft Anti-Piracy Team will be kept in strict confidence." 
Well, if you do, I assure you, that you will resolve this problem after reading this tutorial.
Ok, so first thing you want to do is right click "my computer", then click "properties", first thing you need to check for is the serial number that is written under "Registered to", if your serial number looks like any of these:
xxxxx-640-00000x-45xxx,
xxxxx-640-05928x-45xxx,
xxxxx-640-46267x-45xxx,
or xxxxx-640-47155x-45xxx.
BTW, the Xs are numeric values.

If in fact your serial number matches any of these, that really means that you have a pirated version, but i have a fix to it.
The next thing you want to do is, change to a different product key, this will be easy if you follow every step that I mention below.
First you have to delete the registry to your version of windows XP, dont worry this wont harm your computer in any way.  This is how you do it:
1. Click "Start", "Run", in run type in "Regedit" (This is your registry folder, so make sure you don't do anything in there that I did not mention to do).
2. In your registry folder, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents. 
3. In the right window, you will see a file called OOBETimer, right click it, and click Modify.
4. Now, Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.
5. Exit.
This was the deactivation windows XP process, so now we have to activate it:

Reactivating Windows with new Product key:
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type the following command: 
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a, and click OK
Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.
Click Change Product key.
This is the most important step, you may have heard about the stuff I told you to do above, but these 2 options below, will probably solve your problem.

First option: If you still have the windows XP installation disk, insert it into the computer, exit the installation process, go to "My computer", right click on the installation disk, and click "Open"
Now, Explore the CD and navigate to the i386 folder, open the file UNATTEND.txt and scroll down to the last line, there you will find your Windows XP product key.
You can also use a product key from a different windows.

Second Option: Listed below are a couple product keys that are valid.  If some don't work, keep trying, some of them will work for sure:

FRH2X-6VD7F-YH2TV-2V8B7-J46F6
QKBGY-T8JFG-F448Q-24KR9-48XPJ
F9QV9-HDYR3-6QDR4-PGVW9-GTBBJ
H49F9-8RTVG-MTCVH-G2MFK-C47C8
JC6RM-J678V-2Y2FV-KRYJ4-PBWKW
CYP76-WG47G-3QQXC-MCXFP-RT8DT
JG28K-H9Q7X-BH6W4-3PDCQ-6XBFJ
KW88P-MG360-WMYJY-9Q2G8-F3MWB
RJFWT-PD7GJ-8QV7B-PGWRC-9Q34Q
VDDF2-JJWM3-X7P27-FRHRT-8BVHT
QW4HD-DQCRG-HM64M-6GJRK-8K83T
BGMFJ-XMW2T-PBW6C-4663Y-P6T98

1. Copy the product key of your choice, from Option 1, or Option 2.
2. Paste the product key in the window where you are on the "Change Product key" step.
3. Click Update. If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.
4. To make sure your Windows XP is reactivated, type %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a in "Run" and click "OK".
5. You should recieve the following message: 
"Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit."

Finally, you can update Windows XP to Windows XP SP1, SP2, or, SP3.
If you get the same message repeat the same steps but use a different product key you can use another from the list, or you can get a different one from a different location, eventually you will get there.

If you feel like your computer becomes all slow after the update to: Windows XP: Service Pack 2, you can reinstall you display drivers through your device manager.
To do that:
1. Right click "My Computer", "Properties".
2. Click the "Hardware" tab, then click "Device Manager".
3. Click the arrow next to "Display Drivers".
4. Right click the device that opened up, and click "reinstall" or "uninstall" and then reinstall.
5. Restart your computer, and your done!
 
Hope this tutorial helps you, please comment for questions or if this tutorial helped you.
Good Luck!
 
By, Allen Aka EvilProgram