Setup Issue "The Product Key you entered is not valid"

G

gmahaffa

I am setting up an new computer with Windows XP Professional OEM and when I
am asked to enter the product key a window pops up with the following message:

"The Product Key you entered is not valid"

I have verified the key is authentic with Microsoft Customer Support and
have entered it several times at their request to make sure that I entered it
correctly. Please note that I am a computer installer and have done this
many times and have never received this message before, unless I actually
made a mistake entering the key. I am positive this is a legitimate version
and feel that there might be something else going on.

Any help here will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
B

Bruce Chambers

gmahaffa said:
I am setting up an new computer with Windows XP Professional OEM and when I
am asked to enter the product key a window pops up with the following message:

"The Product Key you entered is not valid"

I have verified the key is authentic with Microsoft Customer Support and
have entered it several times at their request to make sure that I entered it
correctly. Please note that I am a computer installer and have done this
many times and have never received this message before, unless I actually
made a mistake entering the key. I am positive this is a legitimate version
and feel that there might be something else going on.

Any help here will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!


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> is _off_ while entering the Product Key --
this isn't supposed to make a difference, but I've seen it do so, on
rare occasions.

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

Failing that, as it's an OEM license, contact whomever sold it to you
and ask for a valid Product Key.


--

Bruce Chambers

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killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
J

Jeff Barnett

Bruce said:
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> is _off_ while entering the
Product Key -- this isn't supposed to make a difference, but I've seen
it do so, on rare occasions.

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

Failing that, as it's an OEM license, contact whomever sold it to
you and ask for a valid Product Key.
This is a complete shot in the dark but I would try another keyboard. If
I recall correctly it sometimes makes a difference if you cap something
when typing but the difference isn't visible on the screen.

-- Jeff Barnett
 
P

Pete Puma

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> is _off_ while entering the Product Key --
this isn't supposed to make a difference, but I've seen it do so, on
rare occasions.

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

Failing that, as it's an OEM license, contact whomever sold it to
you and ask for a valid Product Key.
This is a complete shot in the dark but I would try another keyboard. If
I recall correctly it sometimes makes a difference if you cap something
when typing but the difference isn't visible on the screen.

-- Jeff Barnett[/QUOTE]

THAT is a great idea. Gotta love outta the box...
 

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