Member Avatar for johnabraham747

Hi Guys need your help
I have a computer which i bought it from someone . Its not allowing me to download any of theservice pack . It keeps on giving me error saying illegal key ...Please let me know if there is a way around it
thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by kc0arf

Dani AI

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Short, practical checklist and context for the “illegal key” error when trying to install XP SP1/SP2.

As pointed out, the forum cannot assist with bypassing validation for non‑genuine copies. The guidance below assumes a legitimate copy is intended; common causes for the message include a mismatched or missing COA (Certificate of Authenticity), a volume/corporate key used on a retail/OEM install, or corruption of Windows validation/Update components. Enabling Automatic Updates alone (as suggested) won’t fix an underlying validation/key mismatch, and a rebuild (the sensible long‑term option mentioned) is often the cleanest route once ownership and licensing are confirmed.

Diagnostic steps (order matters):

  1. Verify licensing: locate the COA sticker on the case or under the laptop battery and confirm the product on the sticker is XP Pro. If there is no COA or it doesn’t match the installed edition, treat the installation as suspect.
  2. Confirm the exact error and gather logs: run the standalone service pack installer (not Windows Update) so it gives a clearer error; check C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log for codes/messages. Record any error numbers shown.
  3. Check activation/validation state (via System Properties and WGA validation). If validation fails but the COA and media are legitimate, contact Microsoft support for reactivation guidance.
  4. Rule out corruption: run sfc /scannow from the recovery/installation CD, scan for malware/rootkits, and reset Windows Update components (stop Automatic Updates, rename %windir%\SoftwareDistribution, restart and retry).

When to rebuild or buy new media:

  • If the copy is not genuine or the COA is missing, the only correct path is to obtain legitimate media/key or perform a clean reinstall with valid licensing. Back up all personal files and gather driver installers before rebuilding.

Keeping licensing and validation intact is the objective; capturing exact error text and the WindowsUpdate.log entries is the most useful next diagnostic if the copy is known to be genuine.

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Member Avatar for tayspen

Hi Guys need your help
I have a computer which i bought it from someone . Its not allowing me to download any of theservice pack . It keeps on giving me error saying illegal key ...Please let me know if there is a way around it
thanks

Welcome to DaniWeb

Well by the sound of it you have an invalid key. Im not sure waht else to tell you. try to enable auto update that will dload them no matter what.

-T

Member Avatar for DMR

It keeps on giving me error saying illegal key ...Please let me know if there is a way around it

Hi johnabraham747,

Unfortunately, discussion of issues involving illegal software violates our site rules. If your copy of Winodws is truly "pirated", I'm afraid we can't help you with "a way around it".

Member Avatar for tayspen

Hi johnabraham747,

Unfortunately, discussion of issues involving illegal software violates our site rules. If your copy of Winodws is truly "pirated", I'm afraid we can't help you with "a way around it".

Speaking of the rules i noticed a spelling mistake :)

anything warez relaetd or

i think thats supposed to say related?
:)

-T

Member Avatar for DMR

i think thats supposed to say related?

Indeed it should. Hmm... I guess Dani's dog ate her spellchecker. :mrgreen:

Member Avatar for tayspen

Lol, that was a good one :)

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Whenever taking over a computer for good, either by purchasing it from someone you don't know, or a relative's old computer, you should format it down, and re-install everything from scratch. You do not know what buggies may remain on the system, and you in good faith probably do not have any need for the data. It is also a great way to collect all of your drivers for hardware at the get go.

Re-building a box is not for the faint of heart, but it is the proper way to take ownership of a computer.

Christian

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