I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP Professional.

What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It says
it is an incorrect product key.

What can we do now to get it activated?

R M wrote:
> I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP Professional.
>
> What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It says
> it is an incorrect product key.
>
> What can we do now to get it activated?


Purchase a legitimate license of WinXP (or any other operating system
of your choice) to replace the pirated copy your cousin got with the
computer. (and if the OS was supposed to have been part of the sale,
you might inform your local law enforcement agencies of the seller's
fraudulent sale.)


--

Bruce Chambers

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

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Your cousin got hoodwinked.

R M wrote:
> I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP
> Professional.
>
> What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It
> says
> it is an incorrect product key.
>
> What can we do now to get it activated?

On 18 July, 21:29, "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABear...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Your cousin got hoodwinked.
>
>
>


Hey retard,

How did you work this out? Have you started assuming things once
again? Old age is a nasty thing! Try this link to solve your
problems:

http://www.dignitas.ch/index.php?opt...117&Itemid=166

Have you renewed your membership of the pig Society?

On 18 July, 19:58, R M <R M...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP Professional.
>
> What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It says
> it is an incorrect product key.
>
> What can we do now to get it activated?


I suggest ring Microsoft and explain to them what has happened. The
phone number is too-free so you have no additional costs to worry
about.

Are you sure sure you are using the correct serial number? Where is
this serial number? Is it at the back of the computer base or is it
soemehere in an email?

:-(

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Your cousin got hoodwinked.
>
> R M wrote:
> > I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> > the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP
> > Professional.
> >
> > What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> > activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It
> > says
> > it is an incorrect product key.
> >
> > What can we do now to get it activated?
>
>

"Bruce Chambers" wrote:

> R M wrote:
> > I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> > the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP Professional.
> >
> > What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> > activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It says
> > it is an incorrect product key.
> >
> > What can we do now to get it activated?
>
>
> Purchase a legitimate license of WinXP (or any other operating system
> of your choice) to replace the pirated copy your cousin got with the
> computer. (and if the OS was supposed to have been part of the sale,
> you might inform your local law enforcement agencies of the seller's
> fraudulent sale.)
>
>
> --
>

Ok, but it seems like Win XP is not available for sale anymore except if I
go to individual sellers. I don't want her to go through another
disappointment if someone is selling Win XP but if it is not legitimate.

Looks like the best option would be for me to get her Vista and do an
in-place upgrade to Vista.

Would an upgrade to Vista work even if Win XP is not activated?

"ANONYMOUS" wrote:

> On 18 July, 19:58, R M <R M...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> > the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP Professional.
> >
> > What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> > activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It says
> > it is an incorrect product key.
> >
> > What can we do now to get it activated?
>
>
> I suggest ring Microsoft and explain to them what has happened. The
> phone number is too-free so you have no additional costs to worry
> about.
>
> Are you sure sure you are using the correct serial number? Where is
> this serial number? Is it at the back of the computer base or is it
> soemehere in an email?
>
>

I will ask her to call Microsoft.

I am pretty sure we are using the right serial number. I am using the one
provided to her via certificate of authenticity.

R M wrote:
> I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off
> craigslist and the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer.
> It is XP Professional.
>
> What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it.
> It says it is an incorrect product key.
>
> What can we do now to get it activated?

Craigslist? Buyer beware!

You *might* be in luck. What is the make and model of the PC? Perhaps it
comes with a hidden recovery partition.

Does it have a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on the case? If
so, that means the PC *did* come with a license. Does it say XP Home or
XP Pro (or something else) on it?

What you can do (assuming there is no hidden recovery partition on it --
and you really should double-check that!) is obtain an installation CD
for the matching flavor of OS. For instance, if the COA says XP Home and
it is an OEM license, you may use a generic OEM XP Home installation CD
(hopefully you may borrow one), using the Product Key on the *COA
sticker on the PC*.

If there is no COA sticker, you're on your own. You may always purchase
a generic OEM version of XP Home (there is most likely no need to
install XP Pro!) and use the Product Key that comes with it. Here's one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116511

Depending on the PC and its license, this site *could* help:

http://www.restoredisks.com/

"R M" <R (E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E809C248-F6EB-45ED-A06E-(E-Mail Removed)...
>I am helping my cousin set up her computer - she got it off craigslist and
> the guy said he had put Windows back on the computer. It is XP
> Professional.
>
> What he did not do is activate the computer, so when we are trying to
> activate it with the serial number provided, we are unable to do it. It
> says
> it is an incorrect product key.
>
> What can we do now to get it activated?

There are some generic OEM COA stickers where a rare few of the
alphanumeric character may be mistaken for another due to the font style and
font size used. For instance, an "8" may actually be a "B".
--
"All men are created equal"
No one said they weren't different.
No one said they would not disagree.
No one said they would not have different perspectives.
No one said they would all work in harmony.
"We the peope" is a collective of all of these.

Dave