I need to reload my Windows XP but my 25-digit CD key
(came with my Dell computer, DELL people suggested I
contact MS)does NOT work.
Help!

thanks,

Make sure you are using the XP CD that came with the
computer when you re-install XP and the 25 digit product
key that is on the label on your PC. If you are using a
different XP CD acquired elsewhere, you need to use the
key that came with that CD.

>-----Original Message-----
>I need to reload my Windows XP but my 25-digit CD key
>(came with my Dell computer, DELL people suggested I
>contact MS)does NOT work.
>Help!
>
>thanks,
>.
>

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...b;en-us;310637

And Dell is trying to renege upon their support obligations.
Microsoft cannot and will not provide support for OEM licenses. This
is the sole responsibility of the OEM supplier, Dell in this case.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Terry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:01bf01c3ac6f$8b795d80$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I need to reload my Windows XP but my 25-digit CD key
> (came with my Dell computer, DELL people suggested I
> contact MS)does NOT work.
> Help!
>
> thanks,

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, in the
microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin news group, Bruce Chambers
<(E-Mail Removed)> says...

> 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.
>

Everything you have said is correct, except for the bit about caps lock.
The product key is case insensitive, and is totally unaffected by the
caps lock.
--
Paul Adare
What use is it that knowledge mounts?
It's knowing something good that counts.
Friedrich von Logau

If XP will boot at all, you can use this small utility to find out the CD
key that was used.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/ Windows Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"Terry" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:01bf01c3ac6f$8b795d80$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I need to reload my Windows XP but my 25-digit CD key
> (came with my Dell computer, DELL people suggested I
> contact MS)does NOT work.
> Help!
>
> thanks,

Greetings --

Not in my personal experience. I've seen the CapsLock key cause
Product Key errors on more than one occasion.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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


"Paul Adare" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Everything you have said is correct, except for the bit about caps
lock.
> The product key is case insensitive, and is totally unaffected by
the
> caps lock.
> --
> Paul Adare
> What use is it that knowledge mounts?
> It's knowing something good that counts.
> Friedrich von Logau

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, in the
microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin news group, Bruce Chambers
<(E-Mail Removed)> says...

> Not in my personal experience. I've seen the CapsLock key cause
> Product Key errors on more than one occasion.
>

Not with WindowsXP. AS a matter of fact, if you check it some time,
you'll find that the CAPS LOCK setting is ignored for the Windows XP
product key. The input forces everything into uppercase.

--
Paul Adare
What use is it that knowledge mounts?
It's knowing something good that counts.
Friedrich von Logau

Greetings --

As I said, I _have_ seen the CapsLock key have an affect. It
doesn't matter to me whether it's supposed to or not, or whether
you've not happened to observe the same phenomenon. I've seen it make
a difference. End of discussion.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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


"Paul Adare" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> Not with WindowsXP. AS a matter of fact, if you check it some time,
> you'll find that the CAPS LOCK setting is ignored for the Windows XP
> product key. The input forces everything into uppercase.
>
> --
> Paul Adare
> What use is it that knowledge mounts?
> It's knowing something good that counts.
> Friedrich von Logau