How to change your XP Serial # ??

[Anonymous]

With an existing installation of WinXP, how can I change it\'s serial number to a new one?

[Anonymous]

i don\'t know how either, but i would like to...
i, like many other people, have a hacked copy of XP on my machine.  however, i was able to get a legal copy from a friend (who was able to send in for it through some microsoft training thing...it was weird) and would like to update my CD-key and all that.  i don\'t necessarily like the idea of activating with microsoft, but i would like to be running a legit key just for peace of mind.
does anyone know of a way to easily change the CD-key without reinstalling the entire OS???  any advice would be appreciated.
thanks much.

[MuffinAss]

Change Product Key without Reinstall:
1. Run regedit and go to: HKey_Local_MachineSoftwareMicrosoft
WindowsNTCurrent VersionWPAEvents, on the right double click on
\"oobetimer\" and change at least one digit of this value to deactivate
windows.

2. Choose run from start menu and type in this command:
%systemroot%system32oobemsoobe.exe /a to get the activation screen
and go to the second option which is activate by phone
.
3. In the new screen choose the option to change product key, and type
in the new product key (Corporate one only).

4. Close that window, reboot your system and enter the command in step 2
for the second time to verify your activation , you should see \"windows
is already activated\".