What! My CD key is invalid?!

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Guest

I'm doing a clean Install for a micro-pro PC. I entered the 25 digit number perfectly, the one on the top of the case, when XP asked me for my product key. But it's invalid!

How could it be invalid? I entered it before and it was successful, but now its not.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Zaknafien said:
I'm doing a clean Install for a micro-pro PC. I entered the 25 digit number perfectly, the one on the top of the case, when XP asked me for my product key. But it's invalid!

How could it be invalid? I entered it before and it was successful, but now its not.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Is it the same PC that XP was loaded on the first time?

gls858
 
gls858,

Yes, it is. my computer contracted a horrible virus and I had to start clean. It is the same computer, however, I misplaced my Win XP cd and am using a friends-- but the cd product key comes from the COA on the top of my computer.
 
Zaknafien said:
gls858,

Yes, it is. my computer contracted a horrible virus and I had to start clean. It is the same computer, however, I misplaced my Win XP cd and am using a friends-- but the cd product key comes from the COA on the top of my computer.
Click to expand...
Let see you wiped your drive BEFORE you checked to see
if you had your CD? Not a smart thing to do.
If you call MS with the key from your CD they
will send you a new one for a small fee.

gls858
 
In
Miha Pihler said:
Different CDs have different keys.
Click to expand...


No, this isn't correct. That would require that each CD be made
individually, which would be prohibitively expensive.

However, to use a CD with a particular key, it must be the
correct type of CD for that key:

XP Home Full
XP Home Upgrade
XP Home Generic OEM
XP Professional Full
XP Professional Upgrade
XP Professional Generic OEM
etc.

Zaknafien's problem is undoubtedly that his friend's type of CD
doesn't match the version he has installed.
 
In
Let see you wiped your drive BEFORE you checked to see
if you had your CD? Not a smart thing to do.
If you call MS with the key from your CD they
will send you a new one for a small fee.
Click to expand...


Maybe. If his is an OEM version, Microsoft won't help him at all
and, short of buying another, the only way he can get a new CD is
from his OEM (who may or may not be willing to help him).
 
Greetings --

You need to examine the Product Key very carefully. It's
awfully easy to mistake a "B" for an "8," a "G" for a "6," an "S" for
a "5," or a "Q" for a "0" or "O." Fortunately, Microsoft had the good
sense to leave the "1's," "I's," "O's," and "0's" out of the equation.
Also, be sure that your CapsLock if _off_ while entering the Product
Key.

Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310637


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH


Zaknafien said:
I'm doing a clean Install for a micro-pro PC. I entered the 25 digit
Click to expand...
number perfectly, the one on the top of the case, when XP asked me for
my product key. But it's invalid!
 
Greetings --

Ah! Now we get the critical bit of information.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for
any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and
vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full
version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with
an English CD.

Bottom line: Product Keys and CDs cannot be mixed & matched. You
have to have the specific type of installation CD for which that
license and Product Key was designed.

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246

If it was an OEM license, you should the PC's manufacturer.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH


Zaknafien said:
gls858,

Yes, it is. my computer contracted a horrible virus and I had to
Click to expand...
start clean. It is the same computer, however, I misplaced my Win XP
cd and am using a friends-- but the cd product key comes from the COA
on the top of my computer.
 
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