Windows Xp, please dear God somebody help me.

[Ghost]

Well I've tried contacting microsoft directly about this,
which was a total and complete failure, since it seems
they don't want to talk to me unless I fork over some
cash, Thanks Microsoft by the way, so I'm hoping someone
here can help me with this.

Ok here it is, a friend of mine a few months ago gave me
his copy of windows Xp professional, along with the
serial. I put it all away because at the time I wasn't too
interested in it. But a few days ago, I thought what the
hell and went to install it, I put the serial and all that
in, and it was installing fine, I got a few error messages
along the way, stuff about how a few of my cd drivers or
whatever were out of date but other than that it installed
perfectly. Anyhow I'm messing around with it, trying to
get used to the new look and all that since I've been on
98 for god knows how long, when I notice just a couple of
bugs, stuff like my computer not reading cd-r's anymore,
yep, it just stopped reading them period! I figured there
were a hell of a lot of updates for it, had also heard of
microsoft bringing out alot of fixes for it, so I went to
the windows update page to get some updates, when all of a
sudden I get this message saying that my serial or
whatever is illegal! and that it cant install any updates
becuse I guess my cd key has "pirated" written all over
it. So here I am, anybody have any ideas on what I should
do? I recently uninstalled it, it was doing me no good to
have it half work ya know? is all i need is a recognized
cd key? I have absolutely no idea on how to go about
getting one other than buying Xp, which I dont really want
to do since I have a perfectly good copy of it right here,
any ideas appreciated. Sorry for if this post is in the
wrong section, and sorry if I went on too long, I'm just
running out of ideas. Again thanks!

 

[Jim Macklin]

If your friend gave you a retail XP CD and (AND) he still
has it installed on his computer it is not a valid gift.

If it was an OEM XP CD and it has been installed on any
computer before, it cannot be installed again on another
computer.

If you are going to upgrade to XP on an older computer there
are several steps that MUST be done to have a trouble-free
up-grade, beginning with doing the XP hardware compatibility
tests that are on the CD.


| Well I've tried contacting microsoft directly about this,
| which was a total and complete failure, since it seems
| they don't want to talk to me unless I fork over some
| cash, Thanks Microsoft by the way, so I'm hoping someone
| here can help me with this.
|
| Ok here it is, a friend of mine a few months ago gave me
| his copy of windows Xp professional, along with the
| serial. I put it all away because at the time I wasn't too
| interested in it. But a few days ago, I thought what the
| hell and went to install it, I put the serial and all that
| in, and it was installing fine, I got a few error messages
| along the way, stuff about how a few of my cd drivers or
| whatever were out of date but other than that it installed
| perfectly. Anyhow I'm messing around with it, trying to
| get used to the new look and all that since I've been on
| 98 for god knows how long, when I notice just a couple of
| bugs, stuff like my computer not reading cd-r's anymore,
| yep, it just stopped reading them period! I figured there
| were a hell of a lot of updates for it, had also heard of
| microsoft bringing out alot of fixes for it, so I went to
| the windows update page to get some updates, when all of a
| sudden I get this message saying that my serial or
| whatever is illegal! and that it cant install any updates
| becuse I guess my cd key has "pirated" written all over
| it. So here I am, anybody have any ideas on what I should
| do? I recently uninstalled it, it was doing me no good to
| have it half work ya know? is all i need is a recognized
| cd key? I have absolutely no idea on how to go about
| getting one other than buying Xp, which I dont really want
| to do since I have a perfectly good copy of it right here,
| any ideas appreciated. Sorry for if this post is in the
| wrong section, and sorry if I went on too long, I'm just
| running out of ideas. Again thanks!

 

[Ghost]

Hmmm, crap, yeah I think he still has it installed on his
PC, So your saying that even if he takes it off, I still
wont be able to use it properly?

 

[Kelly]

You get what you pay for!

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q326904&

How to Change the Product ID in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;321636

How to purchase a second license for your current copy of Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/pricingretail.asp

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Are you trying to install Service Pack 1 and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a legitimate full retail copy of
WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation,
using the new CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Remember, you should also report whomever sold you the pirated
software to the pertinent law enforcement agencies; you've been
defrauded.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



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

 

[Danny W]

That error only appears if the key is BANNED (i.e. used to install Windows
on many machines, not just your friends).

If your friend OWNS the key, ensure you properly activate the product (by
phone preferably). If you do not need to activate, the key was purchased on
a volume license (many of these are pirated).

 

[rifleman]

That error only appears if the key is BANNED (i.e. used to install Windows
on many machines, not just your friends).

If your friend OWNS the key, ensure you properly activate the product (by
phone preferably). If you do not need to activate, the key was purchased on
a volume license (many of these are pirated).

But the OP won't be ABLE to activate if the CD he has been given is an OEM
version.

 

[God]

Thou shalt not STEAL! Be honest and go buy your own copy
of Windows XP?

I have absolutely no idea on how to go about
getting one other than buying Xp,

You answered your own question.

which I dont really want
to do since I have a perfectly good copy of it right
here,

No, you don't have a perfectly good copy, you have a
pirated one.

Physician, feel thyself.