Cannot use Windows XP serial number

  • Thread starter Thread starter media4d
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media4d

So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent with spyware,
and so I just put in another HDD and started to install XP from another
CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop. But the COA code
is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP Pro code.

It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code. What
gives?
 
In media4d had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent with spyware,
and so I just put in another HDD and started to install XP from
another CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop. But the
COA code is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP Pro code.

It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code. What
gives?
Click to expand...

That number is for an OEM CD... Contact Dell to get a replacement CD.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"At present I am, as you know, fairly busy, but I propose to devote my
declining years to the composition of a textbook which shall focus the
whole art of detection into one volume." - Sherlock Holmes
 
media4d said:
So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent with spyware,
and so I just put in another HDD and started to install XP from another
CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop. But the COA code
is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP Pro code.

It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code. What
gives?
Click to expand...

Different versions of Windows XP have COA's that are specific
for them. The COA provided with the Inspiron laptop is for a
Dell version of Windows XP; this product key will not work with
a non-Dell version of Windows XP. Instead, use the COA or product
key that came with the version of Windows XP being installed. Or,
contact Dell and buy a Dell-branded version of Windows XP.
 
media4dwrote
So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent wit
spyware
and so I just put in another HDD and started to install XP fro anothe
CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop. But the CO cod
is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP Pro code

It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code. Wha
gives
Click to expand...

A lot of things :)

First regardless of the thinking there is
difference in the licenses (COA) and installatio
disc'

You must match the COAs with the TYPE of installation disc...ie. a
OEM full version must be matched with an OEM full version....a
upgrade must be matched to an upgrade installation ...a RETAI
version must be matched to a retail installation disc. and so on

Now ...when dealing with OEM branded versions (Dell, HP, Compaq) th
COA that is actually tagged to the computer may not be the on
actually used for installation as they use Volume Licensing. Thi
causes a lot of issues with repair techs and lost COA/restore discs

Another issue that is being used now is a bonded bios in which the CO
that can be used is actually preset in the BIOS and it must be used t
reinstall and it must match the right discs also
 
GHalleck said:
Different versions of Windows XP have COA's that are specific
for them. The COA provided with the Inspiron laptop is for a
Dell version of Windows XP; this product key will not work with
a non-Dell version of Windows XP. Instead, use the COA or product
key that came with the version of Windows XP being installed. Or,
contact Dell and buy a Dell-branded version of Windows XP.
Click to expand...

Dell Key is an OEM key and should work with OEM media.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."
 
The key will work with any OEM media for the install but it will not
activate.
You have to have the Dell media which is Bios-locked or you have to call for
activation.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
 
The Product Key affixed to the Dell computer
is only valid when using a Dell Windows XP
Reinstallation CD. Contact Dell support and
order a CD replacement.

Welcome to Dell Support!
http://support.dell.com/support/index.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent with spyware,
| and so I just put in another HDD and started to install XP from another
| CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop. But the COA code
| is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP Pro code.
|
| It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code. What
| gives?
 
So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent with
spyware, and so I just put in another HDD and started to install
XP from another CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this
laptop. But the COA code is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP
Pro code.

It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code.
What gives?
Click to expand...


Call the MS activation phone line and ask them to manually activate
it for you.
 
Larry said:
The key will work with any OEM media for the install but it will not
activate.
You have to have the Dell media which is Bios-locked or you have to
call for activation.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it won't activate over the internet. I have activated Dell keys
used with generic OEM copies by using phone activation. A hassle, yes,
but a lot less hassle than trying to get replacement media out of Dell!

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."
 
LOL--just do like I did and threaten to return the laptop as unfit for use
unless real OS disks (not recovery disks) were supplied. They overnighted a
complete disk set at no charge <G>


--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
 
Thanks.. I did get the gist of what might be wrong. Perhaps Microsoft
should rephrase the error message to explain what's actually wrong. I
also purchased a ThinkPad from eBay, and of course it did not come with
any media (legal, i.e. the seller happily send me CDROM copies of
god-knows-what).

If I have an OEM CD, will this work on any of these laptops, i.e. I
install from the OEM CD, and use the COA serial affixed to the laptop's
bottom. I imagine the process of getting a set of replacement
"Factory-install" disks will take a month or more.
 
Oh yes, and I also purchased a brand-new Sony Dual-core laptop for my
sister. No media included there either. Now I have to call Sony to get
a set of disks. Sheesh.. talk about cutting corners to maintain
profits.

Macs, no cutting corners there. At least you know you get what you pay
for.
 
media4d said:
So, I had to nuke a Dell Inspiron laptop. It was riddent with spyware,
and so I just put in another HDD and started to install XP from another
CD. I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop. But the COA code
is on the bottom, so this is a legit XP Pro code.

It doesnt work.. I got a message saying it was a wrong code. What
gives?
Click to expand...


Simply put, it's the wrong code.

You should use the original Dell installation CD. There is also a
chance that a generic, unbranded OEM CD might work, as well.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD and/or
license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
 
media4d said:
I dont have the original DELL CD for this laptop.
Click to expand...

As everyone else has said, you need the original installation CDs. Go
here:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=169475

The fifth post down has the links you need, and they're easier to use
than roaming all over Dell's site looking for a way to email Dell. (I
won't "chat" with their support reps and neither will I call. I made
that mistake three times, and I finally realized that it would never get
better, so now I email about anything I need to discuss with them.)

I wrote to Dell for the installation media on...I think it was a
Friday...and the CDs arrived on Tuesday by Airborne. My email said, in
essence, "I did not receive these CDs with my computer, and I am
entitled to them. Please send them immediately. Thank you."

If you're out of warranty, they'll probably try to charge you about $28
for 3 CDs. It's not that much, but it's the principle, and I'd do battle
over it.

Then again, I really hate the way Dell does business.

rl
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Calvin: "Do you think our morality is defined by our actions
or by what's in our hearts?"
Hobbes: "I think our actions *show* what is in our hearts."
Calvin: "I RESENT THAT!"
 
Thanks.. I did get the gist of what might be wrong. Perhaps Microsoft
should rephrase the error message to explain what's actually wrong.
Click to expand...

LOL! I've been saying that for a long time. Don't hold your breath!
Between that message, and MS PA phone reps selling licenses over the
phone, MS has probably gotten quite a few people buying licenses they
didn't really need.
I
also purchased a ThinkPad from eBay, and of course it did not come
with any media (legal, i.e. the seller happily send me CDROM copies of
god-knows-what).

If I have an OEM CD, will this work on any of these laptops, i.e. I
install from the OEM CD, and use the COA serial affixed to the
laptop's bottom. I imagine the process of getting a set of replacement
"Factory-install" disks will take a month or more.
Click to expand...

Assuming that the COA stickers and serials aren't counterfeit, and that
is not a given, you will have to phone up for activation. I wouldn't
tell them you bought the laptops on eBay.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."
 
Oh yes, and I also purchased a brand-new Sony Dual-core laptop for my
sister. No media included there either. Now I have to call Sony to get
a set of disks. Sheesh.. talk about cutting corners to maintain
profits.

Macs, no cutting corners there. At least you know you get what you pay
for.
Click to expand...

Good luck! More than likely Sony setup a hidden recovery partition on
the harddrive. They'll probably want cash for real install disks.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."
 
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