problem with product key

  • Thread starter Thread starter Darcy
  • Start date Start date
D

Darcy

i bought a windows xp cd from a local radio shack a few
months ago and when i first got it worked fine....but i
then uninstalled it to try a different version and im
trying to put XP back on....only one problem it says that
my product key is not valid.....how can this be if it is a
store boughten product?
 
Darcy;
If it worked a few months ago, it will work now.
Are you using the Product KEY and CD that came together a few months
ago?
They are usually not interchangeable with other types.

Look very closely, sometimes S-5, O-0, G-6 and others look alike.
Have someone else try, sometimes another set of eyes and fingers can
get it.
 
yes i am using the key and the cd that came together and
ive had another person try the key and the same thing
happened it came up product key not valid.....could there
maybe be a problem with the disc?
 
Try a Clean Installation, otherwise something may be wrong with the
CD.
If Windows XP is retail, contact Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
If Windows XP is OEM contact the seller, Microsoft can not help with
OEM.

Clean Installation
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Disconnect any ZIP drive
Disconnect network/modem cable.
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
If you are installing using Windows XP Upgrade, insert qualifying
media in Step 4b.
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

Enable or install firewall BEFORE connecting network cable.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Install ALL Critical Windows Updates:
Start/All Programs/Windows Update

After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html
 
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