Mixed up product keys...

[L_H]

Hi,

Issue with computer registration key – below I’ve tried to list all the
facts as briefly as possible. Thanks for any help anyone on this forum can
give…

#1 I bought a used computer last fall...

#2 It had a completely installed version Windows XP professional, and since
any freeware I could download gave the same product ID key, things were fine
(or seemed to be).

#3 On the side of the computer, there is a partially torn sticker with most
of a product key for Windows XP home - only missing the last digits, but
Professional is what is on it (so in other words, side sticker for Home
edition, but Professional installed, so that's the product keys that are
turning up with any software to find out what product key is on a computer)

#4 Last week, I started getting Windows Genuine warnings that I did not have
legit software on this computer. The "validation status" for Windows XP
Professional now shows: Blocked VLK

Is there a way I can find out what the rest of the Microsoft Home product
key is and use that (because it might be the legit software that used to be
on this computer)(Could it be possible that the previous owner did an
upgrade, and the Home Edition is still on here somewhere?)?

Thanks for any advice you can give me...if I have to end up buying a new
copy of Windows, it will cost about as much as it did to buy this complete
computer (something I'd like to try and avoid)

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Hi,

Issue with computer registration key – below I’ve tried to list all the
facts as briefly as possible. Thanks for any help anyone on this forum can
give…

#1 I bought a used computer last fall...

#2 It had a completely installed version Windows XP professional, and
since
any freeware I could download gave the same product ID key, things were
fine
(or seemed to be).

#3 On the side of the computer, there is a partially torn sticker with
most
of a product key for Windows XP home - only missing the last digits, but
Professional is what is on it (so in other words, side sticker for Home
edition, but Professional installed, so that's the product keys that are
turning up with any software to find out what product key is on a
computer)

#4 Last week, I started getting Windows Genuine warnings that I did not
have
legit software on this computer. The "validation status" for Windows XP
Professional now shows: Blocked VLK

Is there a way I can find out what the rest of the Microsoft Home product
key is and use that (because it might be the legit software that used to
be
on this computer)(Could it be possible that the previous owner did an
upgrade, and the Home Edition is still on here somewhere?)?

Thanks for any advice you can give me...if I have to end up buying a new
copy of Windows, it will cost about as much as it did to buy this complete
computer (something I'd like to try and avoid)

You have been had by whoever sold you the computer, and I doubt that it is
the kind of store which will give you a refund or offer help.

The version of Windows installed is a pirate copy of the volume edition
which has been available since before the official release of XP.

Re the sticker on the side, there is no way to find out what the entire
keycode is. You have the option of purchasing a legal copy of XP or you can
try out a free version of a Linux Distro..

 

[Leroy]

It appears someone upgraded the existing Windows XP Home Edition to a
counterfeit copy of Windows XP Professional. As a result, the Windows
XP Home Edition no longer exists. Contact the manufacturer of your
computer and ask them for assistance in obtaing the product key for
Windows XP Home Edition. You'll also need to request the computer
manufacturer's reinstallation or recovery disc.

How to replace Microsoft software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/326246