CD KEY.

[Dorothy]

We have a machine that experienced a sever hard disk crash, which we
replaced.

Our CD is damaged, so we have rebuilt it using a friends CD.

Got everything installed (drivers, applications etc) and the system is now
ready for activation.

We used our key to try to active it. It doesn't work. We don't want to use
his key as that would limit his re-activation.

Besides we are of the type that don't believe in piracy, hacking or other
related garbage. We are intent on using a valid activation key.

We only have two days left before it becomes inaccessible - which would be
another rebuild, but that's the way it is.

We have verified the key (that is on the box with our cd) and it is correct.

The same key is also on our invoice, so we know it is correct.

We have gone to several vendors for assistance, but of course they
suggest4ed that we move up to Vista or Windows 7 as this is our only option!

We can't afford to upgrade to a new system that supports Windows 7 (or
Vista), so we have to keep this for awhile. And actually, we like the way
our system was before the hard disk crash.

Why won't our key work with his CD (it's a Generic copy, not OEM).

Thanks.

 

[Gordon]

Why won't our key work with his CD (it's a Generic copy, not OEM).

There's your clue. You HAVE to use a version of XP that is EXACTLY the same
as the one your key is for.

 

[Unknown]

Simply call Microsoft.

 

[Dorothy]

They are the same version Windows XP 2002 with SP1.

We checked that first.

 

[Dorothy]

Will do, thanks.

Simply call Microsoft.

 

[C]

They are the same version Windows XP 2002 with SP1.

We checked that first.

He meant OEM vs. Retail vs. OEM branded and Home vs. Pro.

 

[sgopus]

if you had home installed before, you had to have installed home and used the
home key, a wipe and install of pro trying to use the home install key, will
not work.

 

[LD55ZRA]

You haven't said what computer brand you have. If you have DELL or HP
then I can email you the Professional version of Windows XP with SP3
already integrated. This will allow you to install it on your system
using your own CD key which should be at the base of your desktop or
laptop.

Our resident pirate by the name of Ken Blake, MVP has confirmed that
sending you Os by email is legal. He has also confirmed that borrowing
a CD from a friend is also legal.

Incidentally you say: "We don't want to use his key as that would limit
his re-activation." this is not true. It doesn't limit anybody's
re-activation because M$ has a policy to wipe clean its databases once
every 120 days. Therefore, there is no record of how many times one
particular key has been used within the past 120 days.

So the choice is quite simple for you.

hth

 

[Gordon]

Our resident pirate by the name of Ken Blake, MVP has confirmed that
sending you Os by email is legal.

Are you SERIOUS about sending 650 MB by email?

He has also confirmed that borrowing
a CD from a friend is also legal.

Did you mean to type "illegal"?
Don't think he has and it's not. It's the KEY you pay for, not the media.

 

[Daave]

That's not what Gordon meant.

First of all, this phrase:

it's a Generic copy, not OEM

.... is unclear. What do you mean by that?

What is the make and model of your PC? Which method did the PC
manufacturer provide to reinstall the OS? Often, there is a hidden
recovery partition on the hard drive.

Your Product Key is on your Certificate of Authenticity sticker, which
is your license to run XP. Which version of XP do you have a license
for -- Home or Pro? Is it Retail or OEM? The phrase "Generic copy, not
OEM" is confusing, esepecially since it's possible to have a generic OEM
version of XP!

Your license *must* match the CD type for the key to work. For instance,
if you have a license for the Retail version of XP Home, you must use a
Retail XP Home installation CD. Serive Packs are irrelevant if you are
performing a Clean Install. The year 2002 is also immaterial.

 

[LD55ZRA]

Are you SERIOUS about sending 650 MB by email?

Sure. I have winzip that can create fragments of big file. I have done
it for years and I supply on piratebay, rapidfiles and others.

Did you mean to type "illegal"?
Don't think he has and it's not. It's the KEY you pay for, not the media.

Precisely. Distributing the software isn't illegal (yes I did mean to
say LEGAL as per KEN) as per MVP Ken and I am prepared to do just that
unless there is a demand for serial numbers then that too can be
arranged!

How's your mummy these days? Is she still in the old profession known
to mankind?

 

[Doum]

Incidentally you say: "We don't want to use his key as that would
limit his re-activation." this is not true. It doesn't limit
anybody's re-activation because M$ has a policy to wipe clean its
databases once every 120 days. Therefore, there is no record of how
many times one particular key has been used within the past 120 days.

What if the owner of the key needs to reinstall within 120 days? ... and/or
WGA kicks in on both computers at the same time?

The OP is right, she has a key and wants to use it, the problem seems that
the CD used to reinstall didn't match the type of key she has (OEM, Retail,
Home, Pro).

 

[LD55ZRA]

What if the owner of the key needs to reinstall within 120 days? ...
and/or
WGA kicks in on both computers at the same time?

There is always a telephone method to activate your Windows. Have you not
done this? This has been around for the past 10 years since Windows XP was
first release in 2001. You also need to consider the probability of this
happening.

hth

 

[Doum]

There is always a telephone method to activate your Windows. Have you
not done this? This has been around for the past 10 years since
Windows XP was first release in 2001. You also need to consider the
probability of this happening.

hth

But the real question here is why the OP should use someone else's key when
she's already have one and she only needs the type of media that matches
her key (Home OEM or Retail, or Pro OEM or Retail)?

 

[Unknown]

Go back and read the original post.

But the real question here is why the OP should use someone else's key
when
she's already have one and she only needs the type of media that matches
her key (Home OEM or Retail, or Pro OEM or Retail)?

 

[Doum]

Go back and read the original post.

So?