Bad Windows Serial Number?

[richardbjohnson]

Hi there

I am fixing a Toshiba laptop for a friend of mine. He lost the recovery
CD for his computer so I am using a generic Windows XP Home CD. When
installing, I use the serial number from the under side of the laptop.
It accepts the serial number during installation, however when I try to
activate Windows, it says it is an invalid product key. Do I need a
Toshiba recovery CD in order to reinstall Windows on this laptop?

P.S.: The COA on the bottom of the laptop appears genuine. The
holograms, etc. look the same as the COA off of another laptop that I
know has a good serial number.

Thanks.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

OEM installation activations need to be phoned in, you can no longer do it
over the 'net like you can with a retail version.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Q. "Do I need a Toshiba recovery CD in order to reinstall Windows
on this laptop?"

A. Yes! A generic OEM Windows XP CD cannot be used with
a Toshiba issued Product Key!

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi there
|
| I am fixing a Toshiba laptop for a friend of mine. He lost the recovery
| CD for his computer so I am using a generic Windows XP Home CD. When
| installing, I use the serial number from the under side of the laptop.
| It accepts the serial number during installation, however when I try to
| activate Windows, it says it is an invalid product key. Do I need a
| Toshiba recovery CD in order to reinstall Windows on this laptop?
|
| P.S.: The COA on the bottom of the laptop appears genuine. The
| holograms, etc. look the same as the COA off of another laptop that I
| know has a good serial number.
|
| Thanks.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You need to have your friend call Toshiba for a replacement CD.
The key affixed to the laptop may not work with an incorrect CD since
Microsoft changed the rules to clamp down on piracy.

If Toshiba can not help, your friend may need to buy Windows XP or what ever
operating system is desired.

 

[richardbjohnson]

Thanks Rick

I did some research and discovered that this is indeed the case. I will
call tomorrow and have it activated.

Thank you,
Richard Johnson.

 

[Frazer Jolly Goodfellow]

Q. "Do I need a Toshiba recovery CD in order to reinstall Windows
on this laptop?"

A. Yes! A generic OEM Windows XP CD cannot be used with
a Toshiba issued Product Key!

Nonsense, as usual.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

It's obvious you are quite ignorant of licensing
agreements. Under no circumstances can a
Windows XP license, issued by a computer
manufacturer, be used with a generic OEM
Windows XP CD. That is considered piracy
and Microsoft will refuse the activation.

Only the PC manufacturer's recovery or reinstallation
CDs can be used with their Product Keys.

 

[Frazer Jolly Goodfellow]

It's obvious you are quite ignorant of licensing
agreements. Wrong.

Under no circumstances can a
Windows XP license, issued by a computer
manufacturer, be used with a generic OEM
Windows XP CD. Wrong.

That is considered piracy

Piracy??? By whom? - evidently not Microsoft, see below.

and Microsoft will refuse the activation.

Wrong. Microsoft enabled activatation in two such cases for me last
week alone.

Only the PC manufacturer's recovery or reinstallation
CDs can be used with their Product Keys.

Wrong, see above.