Product Key Numbers

[Larry]

My computer crashed. It's a compaq desktop. So, I found
the CD's that came with it and started to reload the hard
drive. I inserted the Compaq Operating CD Windows XP Home
Edition and it started to load Windows XP. It got well in
to it and then asked for the Product ID. I finally found
the sticker. It was placed by the manufacturer on the
back of my computer. I put those letters and numbers in
the computer and it won't accept them. I've tried several
times and even used a magnifying glass to read the product
key number. is there a microsoft support number i can
call free of charge to find out what i am doing wrong?
Anyone. Help!

 

[Derek]

I have seen it where it will not take the Product Key if you entered the
numbers using the num pad, but rather wanted them entered using the std num
keys on the keyboard. Just something I have come across, that was a little
quirk.

 

[Bill James]

Likely you have a OEM version of Windows XP which means that Microsoft will not give you any support, you have to go to Compaq. The type style used on the product stickers can cause certain characters to be misread, so you might look at it again to see if there are any possible variations or have someone else write out what the string looks like to them and see if it is different.

--

Bill James
Microsoft Shell/UI

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

You'll have to contact Compaq to get a valid number since your computer came
with XP installed by them.

 

[Larry]

-----Original Message-----
I have seen it where it will not take the Product Key if you entered the
numbers using the num pad, but rather wanted them entered using the std num
keys on the keyboard. Just something I have come across, that was a little
quirk.





.
I TRIED USING THE KEYPAD NUMBERS AND THE REGULAR NUMBERS

ABOVE THE LETTERS ON THE KEYBOARD. NO DIFFERENCE. I HAD
OTHERS LOOK AT THE PRODUCT NUMBER TO SEE IF I WAS
MISREADING IT. WE TRIED SEVERAL VARIATIONS. NOTHING
SEEMS TO BE ACCEPTED. COMPAQ WON'T TALK TO ME WITHOUT
CHARGING ME SINCE I HAVE HAD THE COMPUTER MORE THAN A
YEAR. IF MICROSOFT WON'T SUPPORT A VALIDLY PURCHASED
PRODUCT AND TELL ME WHAT I AM DOING WRONG WHILE TRYING TO
RE-LOAD THE PRODUCT, THEN MAYBE I SHOULD LEARN MORE AOUT
LYNEX (SORRY IF I SPELLED THAT WRONG).

 

[Larry]

-----Original Message-----
You'll have to contact Compaq to get a valid number since your computer came
with XP installed by them.






.
THEY WON'T TALK TO ME WITHOUT CHARGING ME SINCE MY

COMPUTER IS MORE THAN ONE YEAR OLD. THIS STINKS.

 

[mike]

I am having the same problem. If you get a reasonable
reply to solve this please let me know and I will do the
same. Thanks.

 

[Norm]

If you continue shouting, you won't get any help.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You'll need to contact Compaq for support. Microsoft won't
provide free support for OEM installations.

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 if _off_ while entering the Product
Key.

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


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

 

[Drew]

Compaq Presario (OEM) desktops nowadays don't even come with recovery disks.
However, you can create the recovery disks as shown in the manual (quite
simple), it'll show you how to create "six" CDs. Then, there's another
Uitility disk you can make, also in the manual (this Utility tools disk is
"not" the recovery disk, it sort of like similar to the Recovery Console
only).

As for the Product Key, Compaq does "not" use the Prod Key sticker pasted on
the PC itself. Instead, it uses another set of Prod Key that is tied to
your PC's Bios. You can view this "separate" Prod Key using a freeware
called Aida32.

I have not have the need to restore my Compaq yet. I have already made the
six recovery disks (you are allow "one" set of the six disks creation, in
case your hard drive crashes). I recall, when I first initialized my
Compaq, I did not need to "activate Xp Home), again, I think the Prod Key is
tied to the PC's Bios.

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