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Made by DowTek:
Changing the Windows 2000 Product Key
Summary:
If you need to change the Windows 2000 Product Key (a.k.a. serial number) use this procedure. The old product key will be removed and you will be able to enter any valid serial key.
Assumptions:
I assume you already have a fully configured computer running Windows 2000. You need to change the serial number. You have administrator access to the PC and to the network so you can reconfigure everything after removing the previous settings.
Notes:
Sysprep.exe will remove your operating systems current configuration and run the Windows setup as if you were installing Windows for the first time. All configuration settings (including device drivers and network settings) will be removed; however your third party programs and data will still be intact.
This also works with newer versions of Windows, however, you need a version of the sysprep software that is for your specific version of windows.
Requirements:
- You must have a Windows 2000 SP4 operating system.
- To complete this procedure you will need to download the Windows 2000 SP4 Deployment Tools archive from Microsoft. (Contains sysprep.exe) (The file is named “sp4DeployTools.exe”)
http://www.microsoft.com/Windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/deploydl.asp
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Optional - For unattended installation, a configuration file is required. A sample configuration file is included with the “sp4DeployTools.exe” archive. It is in the word document “unattend.doc”. “Setupmgr.exe” will assist you in creating an unattended installation file for either sysprep or Windows 2000 setup. |
Instructions:
1. Extract the files from the archive you downloaded (The file is named “sp4DeployTools.exe“)
2. Select a location for the compressed files to be copied to. (The files include “\i386\deploy.cab” and “\i386\w2ksp4.sms”)
3. In the extracted folder, double-click “deploy.cab” to decompress the individual “Deployment Tools” and extract them to the location of your choice. The help file “deptool.chm” provides detailed information about each tool and instructions for how they should be extracted and used.
4. Document all current configuration and network settings for your PC.
5. Run “sysprep.exe”
6. Your computer will now shut down. Turn your computer back on, and let Windows 2000 load setup. You will have to enter the configuration settings, including your new Product Key, unless you have made an unattended installation configuration file. (See requirements)
7. After Setup is completed, it will reboot. You may have to install device drivers that are listed as question marks in Device Manager.
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by: D. Dowdall - www.DowTek.com
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