Producet Key Invalid Message

[Guest]

I have purchased a new PC & want to update Windows XP Home (OEM) to XP
Professional. I have a legal copy of XP Home (full version)
& XP Professional Update both with product key numbers.
I have only attempted to update the OEM ver. of Home that came on the PC,
using the XP Professional Update Product Key f rom the update I purchased -
but I keep getting a message saying the Product Key is invalid.
I have used the update on my old PC.
1) Should I install my purchased ver of XP Home over the OEM ver. OR
2) How do I get the XP Professional ver I have to work?

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

I have purchased a new PC & want to update Windows XP Home (OEM) to XP
Professional. I have a legal copy of XP Home (full version)
& XP Professional Update both with product key numbers.
I have only attempted to update the OEM ver. of Home that came on the
PC, using the XP Professional Update Product Key f rom the update I
purchased - but I keep getting a message saying the Product Key is
invalid.
I have used the update on my old PC.
1) Should I install my purchased ver of XP Home over the OEM ver. OR
2) How do I get the XP Professional ver I have to work?

Did you try to update with the OEM CD of the WinXP Pro CD?

 

[Joan Archer]

Are you saying that the version you are trying to install is already
installed on another machine ? if so you are not allowed to have it
installed legally on a second one.
It's one copy one machine.
Joan

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have purchased a new PC & want to update Windows XP Home (OEM) to XP
Professional. I have a legal copy of XP Home (full version)
& XP Professional Update both with product key numbers.

By "XP Professional Update" are we to understand that you have a retail
WinXP Pro Upgrade license and CD?

I have only attempted to update the OEM ver. of Home that came on the PC,
using the XP Professional Update Product Key f rom the update I purchased -
but I keep getting a message saying the Product Key is invalid.

You need to examine the Product Key very carefully. It's awfully
easy to mistake a "B" for an "8," a "G" for a "6," an "S" for a "5," or
a "Q" for a "0" or "O." Fortunately, Microsoft had the good sense to
leave the "1's," "I's," "O's," and "0's" out of the equation. Also, be
sure that your <CapsLock> is _off_ while entering the Product Key --
this isn't supposed to make a difference, but I've seen it do so, on
rare occasions.

Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310637

I have used the update on my old PC.

Has it subsequently been removed from that old PC? Only then can the
Upgrade license be installed elsewhere.

1) Should I install my purchased ver of XP Home over the OEM ver. OR

There would be no need to do so, nor would any benefit accrue from such
a course.

2) How do I get the XP Professional ver I have to work?

Verify that you're entering the correct Product Key. Alternatively,
you could use the Upgrade CD to perform a clean installation, after
having backed up any important data.

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

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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Guest]

My reply is at the bottom of your message :

I have purchased a new PC & want to update Windows XP Home (OEM) to XP
Professional. I have a legal copy of XP Home (full version)
& XP Professional Update both with product key numbers.
I have only attempted to update the OEM ver. of Home that came on the PC,
using the XP Professional Update Product Key f rom the update I purchased -
but I keep getting a message saying the Product Key is invalid.
I have used the update on my old PC.
1) Should I install my purchased ver of XP Home over the OEM ver. OR
2) How do I get the XP Professional ver I have to work?

Microsoft would be grateful to help you .

http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide
http://www.microsoft.com/contactus


Panda_man

 

[Guest]

The new PC has an OEM Windows XP installed.
My old PC has a legal copy of Windows Home (installed by myself) which I
updated with a legal copy of Windows XP Professional Update (installed by
myself).
I still have the legal copies (Installation CDs) of both the above with the
respective Product Keys on the respective packages.
Can I install one or both on my new PC over the existing OEM ver of Windows
XP home?
I tried to update the OEM ver with my Windows XP Professional update but got
an "invalid key" message.

 

[Ron Martell]

I have purchased a new PC & want to update Windows XP Home (OEM) to XP
Professional. I have a legal copy of XP Home (full version)
& XP Professional Update both with product key numbers.
I have only attempted to update the OEM ver. of Home that came on the PC,
using the XP Professional Update Product Key f rom the update I purchased -
but I keep getting a message saying the Product Key is invalid.
I have used the update on my old PC.
1) Should I install my purchased ver of XP Home over the OEM ver. OR
2) How do I get the XP Professional ver I have to work?

If you have installed the Windows XP Professional Upgrade on the old
PC and it is still usable (e.g. hard drive has not been reformatted or
destroyed) then you cannot legitimately install the same license
(product key) onto another computer.

You must either remove the Professional Upgrade from the old computer
or purchase another license (copy) of it for the new PC.


Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Guest]

My reply is at the bottom of your message :

The new PC has an OEM Windows XP installed.
My old PC has a legal copy of Windows Home (installed by myself) which I
updated with a legal copy of Windows XP Professional Update (installed by
myself).
I still have the legal copies (Installation CDs) of both the above with the
respective Product Keys on the respective packages.
Can I install one or both on my new PC over the existing OEM ver of Windows
XP home?
I tried to update the OEM ver with my Windows XP Professional update but got
an "invalid key" message.

Any questions regarding Product registration and activation , any questions
regarding to Microsoft Windows licence will be best answered by Microsoft
because it is their product.The links I posted shows you how to contact the
local office of Microsoft
http://www.microsoft.com/contactus
and
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide

So contact Microsoft. You can do it by email or the best via phone.In every
country they have toll-free phone which you can use or you can also visit the
office.Just open the sites above and learn.


Panda_man

 

[Manny Borges]

If I heard you correctly:

Your old pc has a legit copy of XP Pro that placed on it.

One copy = one PC.

If you want to use your copy of XP pro to update this new PC you need to go
out and buy another copy.

If you are having problems because the preinstalled XP home is giving you
issue, then you should contact the vendor and inquire why this is.

--
Manny Borges
MCSE NT4-2003 (+ Security)
MCT, Certified Cheese Master

There are 10 kinds of people in the world. Those who do understand binary
and those who don't.