Activation Issue - WindowsXP Pro OEM

[GeorgeF]

I'm encountering a weird problem activating my copy of WindowsXP Pro
(OEM). I bought it off of Ebay and by all appearances, it's a
general OEM version, as there are no markings to indicate it's from a
big name OEM like DELL or HP.

Anyways, it installs ok. When I go to activate though, it complains
about an "unauthorized product key"

Specifically:

"This product key is unauthorized. Activation cannot be completed
until a valid product key is entered. The 25-digit product key can be
found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label attached to your
computer or Windows documentation. It should be similar to the
example below. Please correct the product key below or type a valid
product key, and then press Retry.

.... (picture of a COA, spaces to re-enter the key, and some more
details about contacting tech support)

Message Number: 45090"

Anyways, I've tried this on a real machine and a Virtual Machine using
virtualPC 2007. Same results.

I've checked the key, and apparently it was correct, as it was good
enough for windows to install itself.

I've tried telephone activation, and wasn't able to activate that way,
with little in the way of explanation as to why.

Tech support and their anti-piracy people were able to confirm that
the key was legitimate and valid, but they won't tell me why I can't
activate unless I've paid for tech support services.

Has anyone ever encountered something like this?

What am I doing wrong here -- aside from buying my OS from Ebay?

-GeorgeF

 

[philo]

I'm encountering a weird problem activating my copy of WindowsXP Pro
(OEM). I bought it off of Ebay and by all appearances, it's a
general OEM version, as there are no markings to indicate it's from a
big name OEM like DELL or HP.

Anyways, it installs ok. When I go to activate though, it complains
about an "unauthorized product key"

Specifically:

"This product key is unauthorized. Activation cannot be completed
until a valid product key is entered. The 25-digit product key can be
found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label attached to your
computer or Windows documentation. It should be similar to the
example below. Please correct the product key below or type a valid
product key, and then press Retry.

... (picture of a COA, spaces to re-enter the key, and some more
details about contacting tech support)

Message Number: 45090"

Anyways, I've tried this on a real machine and a Virtual Machine using
virtualPC 2007. Same results.

I've checked the key, and apparently it was correct, as it was good
enough for windows to install itself.

I've tried telephone activation, and wasn't able to activate that way,
with little in the way of explanation as to why.

<snip>

I think that if you try the automated phone activation and for some reason
it does not work...
you can stay on the line for help from a 'real person'
You don't need to pay for technical support to do that

 

[GeorgeF]

<snip>

I think that if you try the automated phone activation and for some reason
it does not work...
you can stay on the line for help from a 'real person'
You don't need to pay for technical support to do that

Thanks for replying.

Yeah, I know. I did speak to a 'real person' -- a guy named Rajitt
(really). He walked me through it, and had me read back the
resulting digits to him and specifically repeat the last grouping of
digits. He wouldn't tell me why I couldn't activate, except to tell
me that the code from my machine was saying the key was't authorized
(Which is what my own machine was telling me with the internet
activation). However, he did give me numbers for tech support and
their anti-counterfeiting group.

I forget whether it was tech support or the anti-counterfeiting folks
that helped me confirm that my key was indeed legitimate, and valid as
it had never been activated before. However, they couldn't help me
activate it. Apparently, I needed to speak to an 'activation agent'
about that. I guess that would be Raj, who passed the buck to begin
with. Tech support wouldn't get involved unless I could show I had
paid for tech support services (they gave me another number to order
that). The guy from the anti-counterfeit group seemed a bit annoyed
that I bothered them about a seemingly valid key.

Anyways, back to Raj (don't know if they routed me back to him, or it
was random chance that I got the same guy again), and again, he
couldn't help me, but suggested I talk to tech support (again).

I don't get it, how can it be an unauthorized key if Microsoft's own
people acknowledge that it's a valid key that's never been activated
before? Is it something I'm screwing up?

-GeorgeF

 

[philo]

Anyways, back to Raj (don't know if they routed me back to him, or it
was random chance that I got the same guy again), and again, he
couldn't help me, but suggested I talk to tech support (again).

I don't get it, how can it be an unauthorized key if Microsoft's own
people acknowledge that it's a valid key that's never been activated
before? Is it something I'm screwing up?

George:

First off check the sytem date and time to be sure it's correct.
An incorrect setting might possibly account for the problem?

You are normally a polite person I'm sure. Perhaps you need to slightly less
polite next time and refuse to be transferred.
If they say the key is legit and not in use...they are obligated to activate
your system.

However cover your bases first and be sure they key is not for Xp Home.
If you have a legit XP Home key, it will not activate XP -Pro.

If that's the case...you need to contact the seller and possibly ebay at
once.

 

[Daave]

I'm encountering a weird problem activating my copy of WindowsXP Pro
(OEM). I bought it off of Ebay and by all appearances, it's a
general OEM version, as there are no markings to indicate it's from a
big name OEM like DELL or HP.

Please describe the disc in as much detail as possible. Did it come with
a genuine holographic Microsoft COA?

Anyways, it installs ok. When I go to activate though, it complains
about an "unauthorized product key"

Which key are you using? Did your PC previously have a licensed Windows
installation on it, and if so, what kind was it?

What am I doing wrong here -- aside from buying my OS from Ebay?

There are both reputable and disreputable sellers on Ebay. If you
purchased a valid disk and license, you should be fine, but we need to
determine that first.

There's also the possibility that your disk and license are legal, but
someone else is using that particular product key.

 

[GeorgeF]

Please describe the disc in as much detail as possible. Did it come with
a genuine holographic Microsoft COA?

The disc is copper in tone, with holographic lettering, with the words
"WindowsXP Professional" on it. "XP" is in superscript, and
"Professional" is written below "Windows." On tilting the words
"Microsoft Windows XP" appears written repeatedly on the bottom half
of the label face. Below is a hologram block with the word
"Microsoft" on top of a lined globe. Phases found elsewhere in the
hologram:

"For distribution with a new PC only. For product support, contact
the manufacturer of your PC."

"Includes Service Pack 2"

"Version 2002"

"0504 Part No. X10-59871"

The COA isn't holographic. It's yellow and green paper sticker with
rounded edges, similar to the outline of a bar of dove soap. There
is a metallic silver strip running through the paper. On it is
written "Genuine" alternating between forward and mirror lettering.
The metallic strip is revealed in the COA through windows that are
made to look as if they were worn through the paper. On the COA in
black ink is written:

"WIndows XP Professional"

"OEM Software"

"Proof of License Certificate of Authenticity"

There are also bar codes on the left and right of the sticker.

Which key are you using? Did your PC previously have a licensed Windows
installation on it, and if so, what kind was it?

The key on the COA sticker that came adhered to the shrink wrap on
this package. The key from my original install of windows is gone. I
lost it, and the discs in my last move, so there's no possibility of
using the key from the wrong version -- this is the only key I have.

There are both reputable and disreputable sellers on Ebay. If you
purchased a valid disk and license, you should be fine, but we need to
determine that first.

It seems that Microsoft's people have already determined that. As I
mentioned, someone from their anti-counterfeiting group, or tech
support (don't recall who) verified that this was an authentic key
code, and that it had never been activated.

There's also the possibility that your disk and license are legal, but
someone else is using that particular product key.

Microsoft's people kind of eliminated that possibility. If the key
has never been activated (not even by me), doesn't that meant that
nobody's using it?

Thanks.

-GeorgeF

 

[GeorgeF]

<snip>





George:

First off check the sytem date and time to be sure it's correct.
An incorrect setting might possibly account for the problem?

The system time is correct. Assuming Microsoft's "time.windows.com"
time server is accurate.

I wonder though. I am running my internet connection through a
Linksys router that's been having trouble keeping time (even using a
time server, it forgets the date and resets to 2002 until the next
time server hit). Though I would have thought if that were a
problem, I would have had issues activating Vista, as both XP and
Vista were installed on the same machine. Separate partitions, dual
boot. It's what I was doing before I got this copy of XP OEM, so the
dual boot shouldn't be a problem. Aside from the boot loader, both
XP and Vista are totally separate and don't interact.

You are normally a polite person I'm sure. Perhaps you need to slightly less
polite next time and refuse to be transferred.
If they say the key is legit and not in use...they are obligated to activate
your system.

Perhaps, though it seems Microsoft's internal bureaucracy is becoming
a lot like the government's. That being that one department can't do
anything that belongs to another's. I'll give it another shot
tomorrow.

However cover your bases first and be sure they key is not for Xp Home.
If you have a legit XP Home key, it will not activate XP -Pro.

Well, the COA says "Windows XP Professional, OEM Software" on it, and
the disc says "For Distribution with a new PC Only" and "WindowsXP
Professional." I guess that means the key and disc match.

 

[Daave]

The disc is copper in tone, with holographic lettering, with the words
"WindowsXP Professional" on it. "XP" is in superscript, and
"Professional" is written below "Windows." On tilting the words
"Microsoft Windows XP" appears written repeatedly on the bottom half
of the label face. Below is a hologram block with the word
"Microsoft" on top of a lined globe. Phases found elsewhere in the
hologram:

"For distribution with a new PC only. For product support, contact
the manufacturer of your PC."

"Includes Service Pack 2"

"Version 2002"

"0504 Part No. X10-59871"

The COA isn't holographic. It's yellow and green paper sticker with
rounded edges, similar to the outline of a bar of dove soap. There
is a metallic silver strip running through the paper. On it is
written "Genuine" alternating between forward and mirror lettering.
The metallic strip is revealed in the COA through windows that are
made to look as if they were worn through the paper. On the COA in
black ink is written:

"WIndows XP Professional"

"OEM Software"

"Proof of License Certificate of Authenticity"

There are also bar codes on the left and right of the sticker.

Sure is a good description! Sounds like you're describing the so-called
Dual Port-Hole:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/Popup.aspx?coaID=coa_sysbldr_2&displaylang=en

Microsoft's people kind of eliminated that possibility. If the key
has never been activated (not even by me), doesn't that meant that
nobody's using it?

Yes. I suppose there's an outside chance that what you have has already
been used and has been re-shrink wrapped, and whoever sold it to you is
still using the key. But if you have the COA, you have the license to
use it. Like Philo said, call again, but be more assertive.

Is this a clean install, a repair install, or an upgrade? Use Magical
Jellybean Keyfinder or Belarc Advisor to see what the key is in your
current system:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

You may also want to look at:

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.aspx?displaylang=en

and "Windows XP Genuine Advantage Validation Issues (Windows XP)":
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=442&SiteID=25

 

[Daave]

The system time is correct. Assuming Microsoft's "time.windows.com"
time server is accurate.

Never assume.

Instead, try this time server:
tock.usno.navy.mil

Good luck.

 

[LD55ZRA]

<snipped due to complete rubbish>

Your brain needs examining because you are talking utter rubbish..



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[Falco]

Your brain needs examining because you are talking utter rubbish..

Rather like the disclaimer in your signature - utter rubbish or a total load
of bollocks, you choose!

Who are you trying to impress with all that "shouting" eh?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

<snipped>

Rather like the disclaimer in your signature - utter rubbish or a
total load of bollocks, you choose!

Who are you trying to impress with all that "shouting" eh?

*grin*

All I want to know is why all this is being attached to an over two year old
posting/conversation:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...nd_support/browse_frm/thread/91da4546bb9ace5/

 

[shahjaber12]

I'm encountering a weird problem activating my copy of WindowsXP Pro (OEM). I bought it off of Ebay and by all appearances, it's a general OEM version, as there are no markings to indicate it's from a big name OEM like DELLor HP.Anyways, it installs ok. When I go to activate though, it complains about an "unauthorized product key"Specifically:"This product key is unauthorized. Activation cannot be completed until a valid product key is entered.. The 25-digit product key can be found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label attached to your computer or Windows documentation. It should be similar to the example below. Please correct the product key below or type a valid product key, and then press Retry.... (picture of a COA, spaces to re-enter the key, and some more details about contacting tech support)Message Number: 45090"Anyways, I've tried this on a real machine and a VirtualMachine using virtualPC 2007. Same results.I've checked the key, and apparently it was correct, as it was good enough for windows to install itself.I've tried telephone activation, and wasn't able to activate that way, with little in the way of explanation as to why.Tech support and their anti-piracy people were able to confirm that the key was legitimate and valid, but they won't tell me why I can't activate unless I've paid for tech support services.Has anyone ever encountered something like this?What am I doing wrong here -- aside from buying my OS from Ebay?-GeorgeF

windows product key