XP Pro activation problem

[Guest]

Recently, I decided that my hard drive was too "cluttered" and that a format
and clean install of Windows would be of benefit. Everything went fine until
I tried to activate Windows. I received message 45090, that "this product
key is unauthorized." This is the same product key I used previously on the
PC. I tried calling the activation number, who failed to help me and
referred me to customer service, who failed to help me and referred me to the
activation department. This went back and forth a couple times until one
person suggested I try the fee support. Fee support failed to help me and
referred me to this newsgroup. I have reinstalled Windows two or three times
since, thinking something went wrong in the install, but that didn't help.
What can I do about this aside from buying another license?

 

[Michael A. Covington]

Are you 100% sure the product key that you are using is the one that was
supplied with the CD you are installing from?

And that the CD is genuine?

 

[Michael A. Covington]

Also, is there any chance you are misreading anything in the key -- a 1 for
an I, a 0 for an O, or anything?

 

[Guest]

Are you 100% sure the product key that you are using is the one that was
supplied with the CD you are installing from?
Yes.


And that the CD is genuine?
Yes.


Also, is there any chance you are misreading anything in the key -- a 1 for
an I, a 0 for an O, or anything?

Nope.

 

[Ron Martell]

Recently, I decided that my hard drive was too "cluttered" and that a format
and clean install of Windows would be of benefit. Everything went fine until
I tried to activate Windows. I received message 45090, that "this product
key is unauthorized." This is the same product key I used previously on the
PC. I tried calling the activation number, who failed to help me and
referred me to customer service, who failed to help me and referred me to the
activation department. This went back and forth a couple times until one
person suggested I try the fee support. Fee support failed to help me and
referred me to this newsgroup. I have reinstalled Windows two or three times
since, thinking something went wrong in the install, but that didn't help.
What can I do about this aside from buying another license?

Try it again. There have been some changes in the software at the
Microsoft end and in some instances product keys that were previously
being rejected are now being accepted.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Michael A. Covington]

Are you 100% sure the product key that you are using is the one that was

Nope.

Sounds like you have grounds to sue Microsoft! Call them up and tell them
that, and I'll bet they'll give you an activation code that works, or a
replacement CD and activation code. If you also have proof of purchase,
even better!

You might also deal with the local dealer, if you still have your proof of
purchase.

This is one of those situations in which I think it would be ethical to
install from a borrowed OEM CD. After all, you *do* have the license, and
you have proof of it. The proof just isn't inside the computer.