XP Product key different from sticker

[Gordo]

I have a new Dell laptop with XP Home. The XP Product Key stored in the
computer is different from that on the sticker on the bottom of the machine.
Which key is correct? If I re-install the OS, which key should be used?
Thanks.

Gordo

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Use the Product Key that is affixed to your Dell computer.
The one currently in your system was used by Dell with a
master image to preinstall Windows XP. It cannot be used again.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| I have a new Dell laptop with XP Home. The XP Product Key stored in the
| computer is different from that on the sticker on the bottom of the machine.
| Which key is correct? If I re-install the OS, which key should be used?
| Thanks.
|
| Gordo

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

Use one, sell the other ;-)

~Mik

You are an idiot. You can't sell a product key. As Carey stated, the one
stored on the system was the master image key - it's now void.

 

[Alan P. Biddle]

Gordo,

Keep a record of them both. In some cases, if for any reason the
computer was worked on before it was shipped, or was a refurb, the
numbers may indeed not match. A good friend had exactly that problem
when he had to reformat and reinstall. It took a call to tech support
to get one which actually worked.

Alan

 

[Mario Berger]

I have a new Dell laptop with XP Home. The XP Product Key stored in the
computer is different from that on the sticker on the bottom of the machine.
Which key is correct? If I re-install the OS, which key should be used?
Thanks.

Use one, sell the other ;-)

~Mik

 

[Mario Berger]

You are an idiot. You can't sell a product key. As Carey stated, the one
stored on the system was the master image key - it's now void.

I'm very sorry, I wasn't expecting people without any sense of humor to
read my posts.

Maybe this will help you:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoticon#Basic_examples

~Mik

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a new Dell laptop with XP Home. The XP Product Key stored in the
computer is different from that on the sticker on the bottom of the machine.
Which key is correct? If I re-install the OS, which key should be used?
Thanks.

Gordo

If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the Product Key revealed by any Key Viewer is that
of the drive image used at the factory and not your specific Product
Key; therefore, it probably cannot be -- and definitely should not be --
used for a re-installation.

If you ever need to reinstall, use the Product Key from the CoA affixed
to the computer.

--

Bruce Chambers

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