I am a bit confused?

[docfl]

I am looking around on google for information on product keys and OEM
numbers and am confused about something. I have Windows XP that came
with my Dell. I ran Everest and found that I have a product ID and
product key. The id has oem in it but the key does not.
So if I had a problem with XP would Microsoft help me since the key
does not have oem in it? or would they refer me to Dell from whom I
bought the computer?
Thanks
docfl
even more confused than normal.

 

[Papa]

Dell is your source for help because you have an OEM version, which requires
that the manufacturer be consulted. Microsoft only handles question from
users of retail versions of the OS.

 

[Gary Davis]

XP Keys never have OEM in them, Full version or OEM.

And no microsoft will give you no help with you Dell OEM version.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I am looking around on google for information on product keys and OEM
numbers and am confused about something. I have Windows XP that came
with my Dell. I ran Everest and found that I have a product ID and
product key. The id has oem in it but the key does not.
So if I had a problem with XP would Microsoft help me since the key
does not have oem in it? or would they refer me to Dell from whom I
bought the computer?

You have an OEM version; the product-ID for OEM versions always
has "OEM" in it, the Product Key does not.

Microsoft will not support you and you need to contact Dell.

 

[Gene K]

I am looking around on google for information on product keys and OEM
numbers and am confused about something. I have Windows XP that came
with my Dell. I ran Everest and found that I have a product ID and
product key. The id has oem in it but the key does not.
So if I had a problem with XP would Microsoft help me since the key
does not have oem in it? or would they refer me to Dell from whom I
bought the computer?
Thanks
docfl
even more confused than normal.

When you contact Microsoft, you are asked for the Product ID. If it is
identified as being OEM, you are going to be referred to Dell.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I am looking around on google for information on product keys and OEM
numbers and am confused about something. I have Windows XP that came
with my Dell. I ran Everest and found that I have a product ID and
product key. The id has oem in it but the key does not.

The Product Key is the 25 character string that comes with the system
and is entered in the course of Installation. The product ID is
generated during that install, and in effect brings the Key together
with information on the hardware, so as to be a unique identifier of the
system as installed on your machine. It is that which is used to
identify it to MSFT support. If the ID has OEM in it then the system
was supplied under OEM license through the person selling it to you
with hardware - and it is up to that person to support - MSFT will not
and tell you to go to the OEM