New copy of Windows XP won't load

[Guest]

I just bought an upgrade copy of Windows XP Professional from Costco and when I enter the Product key on the sticker it tells me 'The product ID you entered is not valid." How could this be? Pirated copy from Costco?

What do I do next since I don't have a product ID to get the free installation help?

Thanks.

Elmer

 

[Tom]

I just bought an upgrade copy of Windows XP Professional from Costco and

when I enter the Product key on the sticker it tells me 'The product ID you
entered is not valid." How could this be? Pirated copy from Costco?

What do I do next since I don't have a product ID to get the free installation help?

Thanks.

Elmer

Take it back to costco

 

[Guest]

Uh.. well thanks.. but I think they are closed right now.. I am looking for some intelligent support.

 

[Tom Lake]

I just bought an upgrade copy of Windows XP Professional from Costco and
when I enter the Product key on the sticker it tells me 'The product ID you
entered is not valid." How could this be? Pirated copy from Costco?

What do I do next since I don't have a product ID to get the free

installation help?

Make sure you're entering the zeros and Ohs correctly as well as the ones
and Ells. I've seen labels where the difference wasn't obvious. When the
people tried changing from one to the other, it worked.

Tom Lake

 

[Tom]

Uh.. well thanks.. but I think they are closed right now.. I am looking

for some intelligent support.

Well, that is your support, since you bought it there. If by intelligence
you think someone will give a "fix right now" answer, well you're SOL. You
can call Microsoft tomorrow between the hours of 8:30 Am to 5 PM PST, but I
will be arsed if I am going to look up the number for you. You obviously
found this resource, hopefully you haven't run out of your resourcefulness
for tomorrow.

 

[Guest]

THanks Tom Lake....

I checked that before posting and I don't have any 1's L's, o's or 0's in my Product id.

I will have to wait until tomorrow to call MS... unless my resourcefulness runs out by then.

I was more curious if there is a trend with buying software from Costco that might give me some insight to my problem. I don't expect Costco to have many tech's available to help... but I am certain they will exchange the product.

Have a great night!

Elmer

 

[bullwinkel J. Moose]

That is an intelligent answer. Wait till they reopen tomorrow and return it.

 

[D.Currie]

when I enter the Product key on the sticker it tells me 'The product ID you
entered is not valid." How could this be? Pirated copy from Costco?
installation help?

Make sure you're entering the zeros and Ohs correctly as well as the ones
and Ells. I've seen labels where the difference wasn't obvious. When the
people tried changing from one to the other, it worked.

Tom Lake

B's and 8's are the ones that I find the worst. I've taken to using a
magnifying glass. C and G can be pretty close, too. Or Q and O.

 

[Steve Shattuck]

That is an intelligent answer. Wait till they reopen tomorrow and return

it.

Well half of an intelligent answer. This problem is frequently traced to
the fact that the CD Key (not the Product Key) contains both letters and
numbers, and the font used to print it on the label is very difficult to
read. Be sure you haven't entered a zero as an "O", a one as an "I" or "l",
etc.

 

[Tom]

THanks Tom Lake....

I checked that before posting and I don't have any 1's L's, o's or 0's in my Product id.

I will have to wait until tomorrow to call MS... unless my resourcefulness runs out by then.

I was more curious if there is a trend with buying software from Costco

that might give me some insight to my problem. I don't expect Costco to have
many tech's available to help... but I am certain they will exchange the
product.
If the CD is defective, they will replace, it is their responsibility. MS,
will, free of charrge, and fairly fast, work with you on fixing this to get
your new system up and running.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I just bought an upgrade copy of Windows XP Professional from Costco and when I enter the Product key on the sticker it tells me 'The product ID you entered is not valid." How could this be? Pirated copy from Costco?

What do I do next since I don't have a product ID to get the free installation help?

Try again, being very careful about characters that get confused. In
particular in the font used it is easy to mistake G and 6, as well as B
for 8 and S 5 or Z 2