Gateway product key

[mardukes]

I'm fixing a derelict Gateway. I'm using the MSDN XP Home iso to reinstall
the operating system. I kind of expected it to pickup the product key from
the hardware but I had to key in what was on the tag. Installation calls it
invalid.

What can I do?

 

[Leroy]

Nothing. MSDN CDs require a retail, and not an OEM, product key.
Contact Gateway support for a CD replacement.

 

[Peter Foldes]

This you will need to address to the MSDN newsgroup since you are using a MSDN.iso
XP . They are able to answer your issue with the MSDN.iso XP key that shows not
valid for you

Keep in mind that you only have 10 activations with an MSDN downloaded program (OS).
That is it and that is all. If it has been used up then you need to get in touch
with MSDN Subscription remembering to have your valid subscription number at hand

On the web:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.msdn.general

 

[David B.]

And just as a note, there is NO product key in "the hardware".

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

I'm fixing a derelict Gateway. I'm using the MSDN XP Home iso to
reinstall
the operating system. I kind of expected it to pickup the product key
from
the hardware but I had to key in what was on the tag. Installation
calls it
invalid.

What can I do?

There is no product key in the hardware, you must be thinking about the
way that some OEM's are set up to validate a Windows license against a
signature in the BIOS. For this to work, you must use OEM install media
and a special OEM key that tells Windows to look for that BIOS
signature. Unfortunately, without that special key you still have to
use the correct media (OEM, not MSDN) and the key on the tag, and you'll
still have to call MS to activate even then.

 

[David B.]

Most OEM branded installation media doesn't require the input of a product
key.

 

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Most OEM branded installation media doesn't require the input of a
product key.

True, but I was referring to generic OEM install media since the OP
obviously doesn't have the OEM branded media.

 

[Peter Foldes]

The OP said that it is from MSDN and that is not an OEM. Hence my reply to the OP
above

 

[David B.]

I wasn't questioning your reply, notice I didn't reply to your post.