Wrong product key on PC case

[Sla#s]

My XP media centre went into a start-up loop following a crash but when I
tried to repair the installation there was no XP installation on the drive
to repair. I therefore did a fresh install but when I went to put in the
product key from the MS label on the side of the case it would not accept
it.
What action should I take?

TIA
Slatts

 

[Richard in AZ]

The product key on the case was for an OEM version of the software (created by the PC manufacturer)
You must have used a different version of XP Media Center and hence the difference.
Did you "buy" the software you used to do the fresh install? Did it come with a product code?
Can you call the PC manufacturer and get a copy of their version?
If it was a big-name PC (HP, Acer, etc.) didn't you make the set of recovery disks as they
instructed?
If not, check with www.restoredisks.com to see if you can buy a set for your make and model.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ and click on the Validate
Windows button then restart your computer.

If you weren't able to Validate, proceed as follows:

1. Download this diagnostic tool, saving it to your desktop:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062

=> WinXP: Double-click on the executable to run the tool.

=> Vista & Win7: Right-click on the executable and select Run as
Administrator to run the tool.

2. After running the tool, click on the Windows tab and then click on COPY
(to clipboard).

NB: You may want to open a new Notepad file, paste the contents of your
clipboard into it & save for future reference.

3. Begin a new thread in the following Microsoft Genuine Advantage forum and
paste the results from the WGA Diagnostic Data tool in a detailed post:

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindowsxp/threads

4. A troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and recommend an
appropriate solution.

 

[Sla#s]

The product key on the case was for an OEM version of the software
(created by the PC manufacturer) You must have used a different
version of XP Media Center and hence the difference. Did you "buy" the
software you used to do the fresh install? Did it
come with a product code? Can you call the PC manufacturer and get a copy
of their version?
If it was a big-name PC (HP, Acer, etc.) didn't you make the set of
recovery disks as they instructed?
If not, check with www.restoredisks.com to see if you can buy a set
for your make and model.

I am using the original two disks that came with the machine and have not
installed a newer version.

Slatts

 

[Sla#s]

Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ and click on the
Validate Windows button then restart your computer.

If you weren't able to Validate, proceed as follows:

1. Download this diagnostic tool, saving it to your desktop:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062

=> WinXP: Double-click on the executable to run the tool.

=> Vista & Win7: Right-click on the executable and select Run as
Administrator to run the tool.

2. After running the tool, click on the Windows tab and then click on
COPY (to clipboard).

NB: You may want to open a new Notepad file, paste the contents of
your clipboard into it & save for future reference.

3. Begin a new thread in the following Microsoft Genuine Advantage
forum and paste the results from the WGA Diagnostic Data tool in a
detailed post:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindowsxp/threads

4. A troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and recommend an
appropriate solution.

The PC will not boot. (It just kept rebooting).
When I try to repair from the CD it finds no original installation of XP
just a partition with nothing on it. Hence my attempt to do a fresh install,
thereby finding that the product key on the label was incorrect.

I need the correct product key before I could use the tool to find the
correct product key!

I will try the manufacturer on Monday and get back.

Slatts