product key

[Guest]

i used a friends copy to install windows xp and today i just went out and bought a copy for myself so i could get a product key. when i entered the number it says it was invalid. i have triple checked the number to make sure it was entered right. i found where it gave me directions to change my product key if what the one i was using was different from the one i was trying to activate windows with but it didnt work. what can i do?

 

[CHRIS CRIBBS]

First did you purchase the same version as your friends ? (i.e. Pro, Home,
Upgrade) If yes than try a fresh install using the new version. Windows XP
is picky about it's product key.

Chris

i used a friends copy to install windows xp and today i just went out and

bought a copy for myself so i could get a product key. when i entered the
number it says it was invalid. i have triple checked the number to make sure
it was entered right. i found where it gave me directions to change my
product key if what the one i was using was different from the one i was
trying to activate windows with but it didnt work. what can i do?

 

[Lance Ballantyne]

i recommend a fresh install of your Operating system.

i used a friends copy to install windows xp and today i just went out and

bought a copy for myself so i could get a product key. when i entered the
number it says it was invalid. i have triple checked the number to make sure
it was entered right. i found where it gave me directions to change my
product key if what the one i was using was different from the one i was
trying to activate windows with but it didnt work. what can i do?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for
any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and
vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full
version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with
an English CD.

Bottom line: Product Keys and CDs cannot be mixed & matched. You
have to have the specific type of installation CD for which that
license and Product Key was designed.

You need to use your newly purchased CD 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


Bruce Chambers

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

 

[Richard Urban]

Do a repair install using your CD and your install key!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard