invalid product key help

[goldtech]

Hi,

I am trying to install XP Home on a Dell Inspiron laptop. I use the
product key from the xp home sticker on the underside of the laptop.
And, I get invalid key every time I try. The XP home CD is not the one
one that came with the laptop but it's a valid key sticker and i
thought it should work.

Why isn't the XP home key working with an XP home disk?

Thanks,

Lee G.

 

[Bernd]

-------- Original-Nachricht --------

Hi,

I am trying to install XP Home on a Dell Inspiron laptop. I use the
product key from the xp home sticker on the underside of the laptop.
And, I get invalid key every time I try. The XP home CD is not the one
one that came with the laptop but it's a valid key sticker and i
thought it should work.

Why isn't the XP home key working with an XP home disk?

Thanks,

Lee G.

You have to use the product key which came with your (retail ?) XP CD.
The product key from your laptop is an OEM key which doesn't work with a
retail version of XP.

Bernd

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi,

I am trying to install XP Home on a Dell Inspiron laptop. I use the
product key from the xp home sticker on the underside of the laptop.
And, I get invalid key every time I try. The XP home CD is not the one
one that came with the laptop but it's a valid key sticker and i
thought it should work.

Why isn't the XP home key working with an XP home disk?

The key on the Dell sticker is an OEM key. Presumably your CD is a
retail CD. OEM keys will not work with retail CDs.

 

[Daave]

Hi,

I am trying to install XP Home on a Dell Inspiron laptop. I use the
product key from the xp home sticker on the underside of the laptop.
And, I get invalid key every time I try. The XP home CD is not the one
one that came with the laptop but it's a valid key sticker and i
thought it should work.

Why isn't the XP home key working with an XP home disk?

What you describe *should* work if you use a *generic* OEM XP Home
installation CD. If the disk is retail or a branded OEM (other than
Dell), it won't work.

Since Dell-branded OEM XP Home CDs are ubiquitous, perhaps you can
borrow one from a friend, colleague, or realtive. (If you do, you may
make a copy.) The nice thing about the Dell CDs is they incorporate a
feature called SLP (System-Locked Preinstallation), where you don't even
need to enter a product key.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

I am trying to install XP Home on a Dell Inspiron laptop. I use the
product key from the xp home sticker on the underside of the laptop.
And, I get invalid key every time I try. The XP home CD is not the one
one that came with the laptop but it's a valid key sticker and i
thought it should work.

Why isn't the XP home key working with an XP home disk?

Thanks,

Lee G.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license
(OEM, Volume, retail, or full) with which they are purchased. For
example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail version
of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An OEM
Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An Italian
Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys
and CD/license types cannot usually (it's been reported that the Product
Key for a full license will work with an Upgrade CD) be mixed & matched.

You'll need to use either the installation CD that came with the
laptop, or an unbranded, generic OEM installation CD.


--

Bruce Chambers

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