Installation of XP/Pro does not accept valid key

[Andy Overly]

My boot 60GB drive with XP/Pro crashed and burned
(hardware problem). Put a new 180GB HDD in the machine
and started the XP/Pro installation, during the install
was prompted for the installation key. Entered my
valid/legal OEM key from the sticker on my case. The
following message is displayed.

The CD Key you entered is not valid.

Why might the installation reject the key?

 

[Larry Samuels MS-MVP XP \(Shell/User\)]

Try having someone else type the key or use a magnifying glass to read it.
The 8 and B are easily misread,along with a few other letter/numbers in the
font used on the stickers.

--
Larry Samuels MS-MVP (Windows-Shell/User)
Associate Expert
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://home.earthlink.net/~larrysamuels/WS2003FAQ.htm
Expert Zone -

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You need to examine the Product Key very carefully. It's awfully
easy to mistake a "B" for an "8," a "G" for a "6," an "S" for a "5,"
or a "Q" for a "0" or "O." Fortunately, Microsoft had the good sense
to leave the "1's," "I's," "O's," and "0's" out of the equation.
Also, be sure that your CapsLock if _off_ while entering the Product
Key.


Bruce Chambers

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