Product Key invalid??

[Guest]

hello

i am using a win xp pro cd GENUINE and my product key is invalid

i can format and install fine but when the GUI for instalation come up with
the regional and personal options where you have to enter the cd key it says
its invalid

i cannot see how this is b/c i have the cd sleve with the id number and the
cd is real b/c of the label of it

could this just be a bad install or somthing else b/c ive read enough to
know that cd key isnt on the cd itself

please help

sgm

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Apparently you are not entering the CD Product Key correctly
or you are using the wrong CD.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| hello
|
| i am using a win xp pro cd GENUINE and my product key is invalid
|
| i can format and install fine but when the GUI for instalation come up with
| the regional and personal options where you have to enter the cd key it says
| its invalid
|
| i cannot see how this is b/c i have the cd sleve with the id number and the
| cd is real b/c of the label of it
|
| could this just be a bad install or somthing else b/c ive read enough to
| know that cd key isnt on the cd itself
|
| please help
|
| sgm

 

[Admiral Q]

To expand on what Carey has said:
The CD key must match the type of software being installed:
an XP Pro OEM key cannot be used to install XP Pro retail (upgrade or
full) XP Home (upgrade or full or OEM) or XP Pro volume license. The true
is the same for all, an XP Home retail can't be used to install XP Pro (OEM,
Retail <full or upgrade>), etc.

 

[Guest]

i know that and i am using the right cd and the key that came with it
i make sure to write the cd key on the front the second i get it

so any other ideas

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

What happens if you reinstall?
Have you used this CD with this key before?

Did that key come with that CD?
There are many different types of each and they are not interchangeable.

Look very closely, O-0, B-8, S-5, I-1 and others look similar.
Have someone else try, sometimes another set of eyes and fingers can get it
correctly.

 

[Guest]

I am using the product key on the bottom of my computer. I am sure I am using
the correct number. I don't see any CD product key. I have the original
receipt from where I bought the computer. Does anyone know what I am doing
wrong?
Marymac

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I am using the product key on the bottom of my computer. I am sure
I am using the correct number. I don't see any CD product key. I
have the original receipt from where I bought the computer. Does
anyone know what I am doing wrong?

Are you using the CD that came with your computer?
Are you sure you are not mis-reading the CD key? (8/B, 1/I, 5/S, etc.)

 

[Chuck]

"> i am using a win xp pro cd GENUINE and my product key is invalid"

The product Key might be compromized. A call to MS will help if this is the
case.

The CD may be a different class of cd (IE OEM, Retail, Corporate, etc.)
than the key you have.
Another gotcha was that some computer mfrs used a mass install version and
key. This works as long as you don't need to reinstall with a full OEM or
retail CD which have different keys.

 

[Ron Martell]

hello

i am using a win xp pro cd GENUINE and my product key is invalid

i can format and install fine but when the GUI for instalation come up with
the regional and personal options where you have to enter the cd key it says
its invalid

i cannot see how this is b/c i have the cd sleve with the id number and the
cd is real b/c of the label of it

could this just be a bad install or somthing else b/c ive read enough to
know that cd key isnt on the cd itself

please help

sgm

If you are certain that you have not mixed up the CD and/or Product
Key with ones from a different copy of Windows XP then the only real
possibility is that you have misread the product key.

The font used to print the product keys on some versions was quite
difficult to read and it is quite possible to confuse B and 8, 6 and
G, or 5 and S, for example.

If you are reading the product key from the copy you wrote on the CD
then the possibilities of errors of this type are doubled. If you are
using the origial printed product key from the original retail disk or
OEM sticker then you should look at it again carefully and see if you
have possibly confused any of the above items. Make sure you have
good direct light and it wouldn't hurt to use a bit of magnification
either.

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."

 

[Brian]

You could be reading it wrong.

 

[Guest]

aI don`t think the guy is reading it wrong because I have the same problem
and yes it is genuine and I have used it before.I`m sure he does not need so
many people telling him he`s reading it wrong. I`m sure he`s smart enough to
have tried a few
time before seeking advice

 

[Guest]

He can`t re-install if he dosen`t have the key which is showing as invalid.
been there done that

 

[Admiral Q]

aI don`t think the guy is reading it wrong because I have the same problem
and yes it is genuine and I have used it before.I`m sure he does not need
so
many people telling him he`s reading it wrong. I`m sure he`s smart enough
to
have tried a few
time before seeking advice

Are we sure we are not entering a OEM key in with a RETAIL Upgrade/Full Copy
or Volume License CD or some other combination - Home with Pro or Pro with
Media Center, etc. The keys are NOT interchangeable.

 

[Wes Groleau]

If the CD is an "OEM" then it can only be used to
install on the same brand that it came with.

If it came with that computer, OR if it is a
purchased upgrade CD, then call Microsoft.
Don't let them charge you for the call,
and don't let them bully you into buying
another copy.

They will make it right, though they MIGHT
try to get a little more money off you first.