Changing ProductID & ProductKey

When one reinstalls Windows 98 over itself, he gets the opportunity to re-enter the Product Key, thus changing the Product Key and Product ID in the registry to match the installed version.

Is there a way to do this with Windows 2000 without losing the current configuration and installation?

 

I don't have 2k but the old Win 9x method might be worth a try:

Go to Hkey Local Machine > Software > Microsoft > Windows > Current Version and
open "Current Version Folder" Double click
"Product I.D." and enter anything you like, doesn't matter what. Double click "Registered Owner" and enter a name.

If you already knew that, disregard the post with my apologies.

 

That works fine if you already know what needs to be put in those fields and with the Product Key, one does already have that on the CD case; however, the Product ID isn't a number that appears until after installation.

Here's my reason: I built a Windows 2000 machine on a rush order on a sunday afternoon to be delivered on Monday morning at 7:00 AM. I didn't have a copy of 2000 besides my own so I loaded it using my own Product Key. I delivered the customer his own (legal and genuine) copy of 2000 on Tuesday. Now, I need to have his copy of Windows 2000 to show his own Product Key (which I know can be changed and I know what it should be) and his Product ID (which I do not have any idea what it should be).

That's the problem I'm trying to solve.

 

Microsoft's Sysprep 1.1 is supposed to do that or just exchange certificates.

 

At the risk of looking ignorant, what is Sysprep?

 

Alex - take a look at Automating Windows 2000 Deployments with Sysprep for information about it and a download link if you want it.

 

From what I can understand after a cursory look, it looks like Sysprep is for advance planning. This one is already installed. I just want to change the existing Product Key and Product ID.