Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 97838	2009-03-01 08:30:00	Invalid CD Key	bk T (215)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
752523	2009-03-01 20:57:00	Aaaah, see thats it right there! The CD you have belongs to a friend. There's many different versions of XP Home or XP Pro, such as: XP Home OEM XP Home Retail XP Home VLK (Enterprise) XP Home Dell OEM XP Home IBM OEM XP Pro OEM XP Pro Retail XP Pro VLK (Enterprise) .... You get my point Just because yours says "XP Home" and your friends says "XP Home" doesnt mean the two are specifically compatible. You could be trying to enter an XP Home Retail CD key into an XP Home OEM CD which wont work. Depending on if this is true or not, it could be that no amount of trying to activate will solve the issue, and you may need to re-request the correct media from your PC Manufacturer or Microsoft, or potentially see if Microsoft will give you a new Product Key (Doubtful). Good luck ;) Chill. Just phoned MS New Zealand just now and was told that I've only 2 options: 1. buy another retail copy, and 2. Phone Toshiba (it's a toshiba machine) and get a replacement from them. Both options cost $$$$ You're quite correct, Chill. But I'm pretty sure that the copy of XP Home is an OEM version because I tried to use his Product Key and it went through. Of course, I won't activate it - just to test the integrity of the CD. And, now I also understand why people are using illegal copies of the software.:D Also, the COA sticker is not really the proof of genuine product ID. If I remember correctly, some members in this forum used to say that it's the COA sticker rather than the CD that matters. I also used to think that if there is a COA sticker, it's genuine. I am proven wrong.	bk T (215)
752524	2009-03-01 22:51:00	What about if you tried the following, i havent tried this and the gurus here might be able to let me know if this wouldnt work before you waste your time Install using your friends key then when you got to activate there is a change key option, input your toshiba key here. If this works then activate on the phone to get your 42 digit number	Gobe1 (6290)
752525	2009-03-01 23:04:00	And, now I also understand why people are using illegal copies of the software . Also, the COA sticker is not really the proof of genuine product ID . If I remember correctly, some members in this forum used to say that it's the COA sticker rather than the CD that matters . I also used to think that if there is a COA sticker, it's genuine . I am proven wrong . Tisk tisk tisk :groan: The reason the product key is not working is because the CD you tried is the wrong version - simple as that - thats no excuse to pirate software . What you may find is the same as my own Laptop - it has a product key from when the original XP came out - I have just had to reinstall the OS after 5 1/2 years - I do have the recovery CD's but dont want all the extra crap it loads in - it wouldn't install using SP3, SP2 or even SP1 - I had to dig out an original XP CD, which did work fine . I had to do this last year just after SP3 came out on a customers PC, none of my XP CD's would work ( bit of mucking about, jumping through hoops) - There are ways to use the existing product Key with XP SP3 - you install XPSP3 - when it gets to putting in the product key - hit NEXT - a warning pops up, you carry on and it will install XP with no product key (same as Vista does) then when you go to activate it - click telephone support - it generates the 42 Digit number - you call MS on the 0800 Number I gave before Hit 2, enter the number - then hit 2, again at the prompts, 2 Again, then 1 - you will now be talking to a MS rep - tell them the make and model of the laptop also tell them you had to install using XP SP3 without the key - as your one on the COA didn't work on XPSP3 . They get you to enter the key again- it will fail of course - they ask for the X number on the COA , and possibly the other set of reference numbers on the COA (They are cross reference Numbers) - you get put through to another devision - you repeat the whole process again - you will be asked for the COA on the sticker and the X number - they cross reference it - issue you with the codes to install . You may get asked 20 questions so to speak - but as long as the COA is legit theres no problems . Done this several times and while its a pain in the butt answering questions never had to repurchase a new OS yet . Easier way would be to get a CD that works with the product key you have - I suspect its an earlier version of XP . BTW - I know the numbers as I just rang MS to try it - but got cut off when they changed to another devision ;) Surprise	wainuitech (129)
1 2