Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid

[Mohammed Alam]

Hi all,

Recenly I bought Windows XP Service Pack 1 from Microsoft
and was trying to install but during the installation it
encountered the following error:

The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid.
Please contact your system administrator or retailer
immediately to obtain a valid Product Key. You may also
contact Microsoft Corporation's Anti-Piracy Team by
emailing (e-mail address removed) if you think you have
purchased pirated Microsoft software. Please be assured
that any personal information you send to the Microsoft
Anti-Piracy Team will be kept in strict confidence.

As per Microsoft's solution Q326904

The CAUSE is:
This may occur if the product key that I'm using to
install Windows XP matches either of the two product keys
that have been determined by Microsoft to not be valid.

These two product keys create a product ID that matches
one of the following product IDs (where X is any numeric
value):
XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, first determine the Windows
product ID on your computer.If my Windows product ID
matches either of the product IDs that are listed in
the "Cause" section, I may be a victim of software piracy.

Yes, my Windows product ID matches with
XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX I bought this Windows XP
Professional from auction and now become a victim of
software piracy. My question is how can I get around this
situation? What is the best option for me at this point?
I have lots of important data that I don't want to loose.
Curruntly the system is running fine but I'm unable to
install XP SP1. Please help! Any input will be highly
appreciated.

Kindest Regard,
M.Alam
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Does it fit this:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326904
If it does, you most likely have a pirated Windows XP Pro.
If it is pirated, you need to contact the seller and/or Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/default.asp
One of the features of Service Pack 1 is to detect pirated copies of
windows XP.
Also you have 3 options to become legal:
1. Go back to the previous OS:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=303661
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314052
This may or may not work depending on the installation options used.
2. Perform a Clean Install with the OS of your choice destroying ALL
data.
3. Purchase Windows XP Pro (Home will not work) and perform a Repair
Installation using the new valid key and CD:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

 

[D.Currie]

First, you can report the person you bought the product from to Microsoft
and/or local authorities. It won't do you, in particular, any good, but
perhaps it will stop them from selling more bogus copies of XP.

As far as your computer, about the only thing you can do is buy a legal copy
of XP.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Are you trying to install Service Pack 1 and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a legitimate full retail copy of
WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation,
using the new CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Remember, you should also report whomever sold you the pirated
software to your local law enforcement agency.


Bruce Chambers

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