Invalid Registration Key

[Guest]

I bought my computer around two years ago with XP installed brand new. It
worked fine until this September, when my computer crashed. I ended up
getting a new harddrive (160gigs as opposed to the 60 I'd had before) and
Windows installed properly. However, over the past few days, I've purchased
a new videocard and hooked up my computer via hardwire to our router, which
required me to install the Network Adapter that I'd neglected to install when
I first got my new harddrive (as I was using wireless at the time).

Now Windows is saying I need to re-register due to too much hardware change
in the past three days or something, and it's not taking the product key
located on my computer's case. I've tried the phone support, but both times
it said it wasn't eligible for a new key, or something along those lines.
When doing online email support, I'd enter in the key located in the Control
Panel > System > General tab, but that also says I'm ineligible for free
help, prompts me to pay $32, or to purchase a new copy of Windows XP.

Now I have about one day before Windows stops working all together and I
don't believe I've done anything to warrant failure to re-register. It's
still the same computer, sans harddrive, that I puchased two years ago, if
you don't count memory and videocard upgrades. It's still my dinky little
1.8mhz Pentium IV. Do I really have to purchase a WHOLE NEW COPY of Windows
XP just for installing hardware drivers? If not, how do I go about obtaining
a new key, since that's what it keeps asking me for?

This is very frustrating and I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Now Windows is saying I need to re-register due to too much hardware change
in the past three days or something, and it's not taking the product key
located on my computer's case.

There is no need to "re-register," as registration is, and always has
been, completely optional. The hardware changes and reinstallation of
WinXP certainly would have prompted a need to "activate" the OS, again,
though. The only way I can see your being asked for a new Product Key
at this point would be if you have an OEM license and did not obtain
your new component's from the computer's original manufacturer. In this
case, it may be that your OEM license is no longer be valid. Read the
EULA that comes with that specific OEM license, and consult the
computer's manufacturer.

I've tried the phone support, but both times
it said it wasn't eligible for a new key, or something along those lines.

Correct. Nothing you've said indicates any need for a new retail
Product Key, which would, in effect, amount to a free copy of WinXP.
What is the *exact* wording of any error message you get when you try
activating via the Internet?

When doing online email support, I'd enter in the key located in the Control
Panel > System > General tab, but that also says I'm ineligible for free
help, prompts me to pay $32, or to purchase a new copy of Windows XP.

This most likely means that you have an OEM license for WinXP, and must
obtain any free support from the computer's manufacturer. Have you
contacted the computer's manufacturer for support?

Now I have about one day before Windows stops working all together and I
don't believe I've done anything to warrant failure to re-register. It's
still the same computer, sans harddrive, that I puchased two years ago, if
you don't count memory and videocard upgrades. It's still my dinky little
1.8mhz Pentium IV.

Nevertheless, by altering the computer's hardware components, you may
have voided your warranty and any OEM support agreements. Again,
consult the PC's manufacturer.

Do I really have to purchase a WHOLE NEW COPY of Windows
XP just for installing hardware drivers?

Perhaps, if you have in fact voided your OEM license and warranty. You
haven't provided enough information to tell for sure.

If not, how do I go about obtaining
a new key, since that's what it keeps asking me for?

By going to a store and purchasing another WinXP CD and license, if it
comes to this.




--

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

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I'm not too sure what OEM License means, but I'll look into it
tomorrow. It's true that I didn't get a true Windows XP disk from my
manufacturer. Instead, I got a system recovery disk with Windows XP on it.
I also didn't know such a license could be voided with too many alterations
to a computer's hardware. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

Quick question, if you read this and everything: I have an old version of
Windows ME. In order for a copy of Windows XP (Upgrade) to work, does ME
need to be installed on the computer, or does it just need the CD key or
something? If it does require it to be previously installed, does it then
overwrite ME? Naturally, I don't need two copies of Windows on one
harddrive, so I'm curious.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks, I'm not too sure what OEM License means, but I'll look into it
tomorrow. It's true that I didn't get a true Windows XP disk from my
manufacturer. Instead, I got a system recovery disk with Windows XP on it.
I also didn't know such a license could be voided with too many alterations
to a computer's hardware. I'll keep that in mind for next time.

Because OEM (it stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and
basically means that the software was pre-installed on the computer at
the factory) licenses are not legitimately transferable to new
computers, some computer manufacturers have taken the extra precaution
of ensuring that the Recovery CDs they provide will not install if the
hardware has been changed from the original, ex-factory condition. This
is, I feel, totally unacceptable because it does prevent - or at least
severely limit the options - the computer owner from upgrading his
computer as his needs change. It also tends to lock the consumer into
having to purchase hardware upgrades and replacement parts, once the
warranty expires, from the OEM, usually at hight than fair market value
prices. I always advise people shopping for a computer to make
inquiries, and to avoid doing business with such a company.

Quick question, if you read this and everything: I have an old version of
Windows ME. In order for a copy of Windows XP (Upgrade) to work, does ME
need to be installed on the computer, or does it just need the CD key or
something? If it does require it to be previously installed, does it then
overwrite ME? Naturally, I don't need two copies of Windows on one
harddrive, so I'm curious.

It's quite possible to perform a clean installation using the
Upgrade CD, provided you have the true installation CD for the earlier
OS.

Simply boot from the WinXP Upgrade CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as part of the
installation process. The Upgrade CD checks to see if a qualifying OS
is installed, and, if it finds none, it asks you to insert the
installation media (CD) of that OS. Unfortunately, an OEM
"Recovery/Restore" CD will not work for this purpose; you must have a
true installation CD, complete with the "\Win98" folder and *.cab
files, or the "\i386" folder of WinNT/2K.


--

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