Invalid product id invalid

[Guest]

I bought an oem processor with Windows xp home edition
installed on it. Vendor is now gone & I need to
reinstall Windows XP because of a virus. My product id
on the unit is NOT 25 numbers, it's 5 numbers, space, 3
numbers, space, 3 numbers, space 3 numbers. Who can I
ask if my product is valid & how to reinstall it. THANK
YOU IN ADVANCE.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The Product Key is not 25 numbers, it is 25 characters (letters &
numbers)
The Product ID is something different and is 20 characters long,
usually all numbers.
If Windows XP is OEM, it came with a sticker affixed to the computer
or you were supposed to affix to the computer, the Product Key is on
the sticker.
If this Product Key is lost, contact the seller, Microsoft usually can
not help with OEM.

If Windows XP is still installed:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Near bottom of page "View Product Key XP"

 

[Lee S]

Dear Mr. Jones,

I own a legal retail version of XP HOME and just for kicks I went to the
site below to check my PK, I tried 3 times and the return PK was not even
close to the PK that came with my CD. How reliable do you think this utility
is?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Do you have a factory installed OEM version? If you have a
factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since reinstalled the OS,
the revealed Product Key is probably of the drive image used at the
factory and not _your_ specific Product Key; therefore, it probably
cannot be -- and definitely should not be -- used for a
re-installation.

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Lee;
To add to Bruce's correct information, that tool has been 100%
reliable for me.

 

[Lee S]

Thanks for the reply. but like I said I have a retail full version of XP
HOME purchase directly from Microsoft Store. It's not that I need to find
out what my PK is because I have my very own inside the box. I was just
curious to see how it work. but it didn't work for me. No big deal. Thanks
again.

 

[Guest]

My product id totals 14 numbers, plus 3 dashes & it seems
microsoft has left me NO way of reinstalling the software
OR anyone to call to ask about this. It makes no sense
they would not have a program for orphaned buyers of
their products. Any idea who I can call to follow up??
thanks.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Look closely at the documentation.
The Product Key is 25 characters, "-" do not count.

You could try Microsoft:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246
But if it is OEM, the seller may be your only recourse.
This is one of many reasons OEM is cheaper than retail.

 

[hawk]

Try: http://www.belarc.com/ go to Download. This will most likely be
the vendor's Product Key. Product ID is not the same as Product Key.

hawk