Pirated software (not us)

[Jerry]

We purchased a Dell 8200 from an individual off Ebay
(quite a long time ago). It came preloaded with Windows XP
Pro (we do not have the CD). We recently tried to download
SP1 from the Windows Update site, and got the message that
the Product Key used to install Windows is invalid. We
searched the Internet for this error message, and found
that apparently we purchased a machine with an
illegitimate corporate key installed. Our product ID is
55274-640-0000356-23646 (right clicking on "my computer").
We would like to remedy this situation but don't know if
we need to buy a fresh "upgrade" of Windows XP Pro from
the store, and install it, or do we have to buy
a "complete install". Please let us know because as you
are aware, purchasing an upgrade is a lot cheaper.
Thanks Jerry

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Jerry,

You must purchase full retail product.
You have nothing to qualify to upgrade from since you don't hold a license
for the OS on the PC now.

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Nicholas]

You'll need to purchase the "full version", and not the "upgrade version",
of Windows XP Professional and then perform a "repair install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]


--
Nicholas

------------------------------------------------------------------------


| We purchased a Dell 8200 from an individual off Ebay
| (quite a long time ago). It came preloaded with Windows XP
| Pro (we do not have the CD). We recently tried to download
| SP1 from the Windows Update site, and got the message that
| the Product Key used to install Windows is invalid. We
| searched the Internet for this error message, and found
| that apparently we purchased a machine with an
| illegitimate corporate key installed. Our product ID is
| 55274-640-0000356-23646 (right clicking on "my computer").
| We would like to remedy this situation but don't know if
| we need to buy a fresh "upgrade" of Windows XP Pro from
| the store, and install it, or do we have to buy
| a "complete install". Please let us know because as you
| are aware, purchasing an upgrade is a lot cheaper.
| Thanks Jerry

 

[Ron Martell]

We purchased a Dell 8200 from an individual off Ebay
(quite a long time ago). It came preloaded with Windows XP
Pro (we do not have the CD). We recently tried to download
SP1 from the Windows Update site, and got the message that
the Product Key used to install Windows is invalid. We
searched the Internet for this error message, and found
that apparently we purchased a machine with an
illegitimate corporate key installed. Our product ID is
55274-640-0000356-23646 (right clicking on "my computer").
We would like to remedy this situation but don't know if
we need to buy a fresh "upgrade" of Windows XP Pro from
the store, and install it, or do we have to buy
a "complete install". Please let us know because as you
are aware, purchasing an upgrade is a lot cheaper.
Thanks Jerry

Make certain that you file a formal complaint with eBay regarding
this.

It may not get you your money back but it may stop that same bozo from
defrauding others.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[David B.]

Also wouldn't hurt to report it to Microsoft's piracy team.

 

[DCC]

Did you get any Recovery CD's with the machine? That should qualify for an
upgrade>