Product Key is Invalid ??

[Guest]

Hello: When trying to install XP Service pack 1, the following happens. MS.com checks my sytem, advises I should download + install Service pack 1, downloads fine, starts to install (approx25% done), error comes up as follows "Product key used to install windows is invalid" . Now why is it I can download from MS.com all other upgrades, but not the Service Pack ?. How can a product key be invalid ?, how could XP have been installed with an invalid service key in the first place

Any ideas ? No I don't have the OS on CD, pc was purchased from a family member who bought the system preloaded from online or auction site.(I think)

Thanks for your time

DJ.

 

[TheJouster]

Sounds like your original install was with a pirated copy, lots of CD Keys
that were floating around before SP1 have been disabled by MS. If you have a
legit version call MS they can set you up with a proper key to activate it.

Hello: When trying to install XP Service pack 1, the following happens.

MS.com checks my sytem, advises I should download + install Service pack 1,
downloads fine, starts to install (approx25% done), error comes up as
follows "Product key used to install windows is invalid" . Now why is it I
can download from MS.com all other upgrades, but not the Service Pack ?.
How can a product key be invalid ?, how could XP have been installed with an
invalid service key in the first place ?

Any ideas ? No I don't have the OS on CD, pc was purchased from a family

member who bought the system preloaded from online or auction site.(I
think).

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are getting the following error message when attempting to update:

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904&Product=winxp

You'll have to purchase a new "Full Version" of Windows XP Professional
and perform a "Repair Install" using the new Windows XP Pro CD and Product Key
that comes with it. (You cannot simply change the Product Key)

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

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| Hello: When trying to install XP Service pack 1, the following happens. MS.com checks my sytem, advises I
should download + install Service pack 1, downloads fine, starts to install (approx25% done), error comes up
as follows "Product key used to install windows is invalid" . Now why is it I can download from MS.com all
other upgrades, but not the Service Pack ?. How can a product key be invalid ?, how could XP have been
installed with an invalid service key in the first place ?
|
| Any ideas ? No I don't have the OS on CD, pc was purchased from a family member who bought the system
preloaded from online or auction site.(I think).
|
| Thanks for your time,
|
| DJ.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Carey, lucky guess on the XP pro part ? did'nt relize I stated "pro". Anyhow that is what I am using, and looks like I will source a new version. When I re-install, will I loose data/programs I already have ? Forgive the silly question but I'm an old DOS guy, and yes I remember the old punch cards we used to make for programing

Thanks for your time
DJ.

 

[Plato]

Hello: When trying to install XP Service pack 1, the following happens. MS.com checks my sytem, advises I should download + install Service pack 1, downloads fine, starts to install (approx25% done), error comes up as follows "Product key used to install windows is invalid" . Now why is it I can download from MS.com all other

Any ideas ? No I don't have the OS on CD, pc was purchased from a family member who

YOu got a pirated version of XP. hehe

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Are you trying to install Service Pack 1a and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a _legitimate_ full retail copy of
WinXP Pro to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation,
using the new CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

Remember, you should also report whomever sold you the pirated
software to the pertinent law enforcement agencies; you've been
defrauded.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hello: When trying to install XP Service pack 1, the following happens. MS.com checks my sytem, advises I should download + install Service pack 1, downloads fine, starts to install (approx25% done), error comes up as follows "Product key used to install windows is invalid" . Now why is it I can download from MS.com all other upgrades, but not the Service Pack ?. How can a product key be invalid ?, how could XP have been installed with an invalid service key in the first place ?

A lot of copies have been put out by unscrupulous parties - often
selling to innocent people - which have used one of a couple of pirated
keys, with no payments going back to Microsoft. Microsoft has
explicitly prevented machines that were installed with these keys from
installing SP1. Check in Control Panel - System for the Product ID
number under your name - if it fits

XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
or
XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX

Where X represents any digit, you have one of these keys. You can
approach the vendor for redress and provision of a legitimate copy,
threatening MSoft legal department - if no satisfaction, you could try a
report of the details to
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/default.asp