Reactivate Win Xp Family

[Phulltillt]

The hd with Xp oem small builder installed died and I am retiring that
computer. I have a Dell with, now virtually useless, Win2000pro factory
installed. I did a complete wipe and clean install on the Dell with the disk
for XP family from the retired computer. Everything worked well except I am
unable to activate the installed XP using the correct product key. I enter
it and the error message "you have incorrectly typed the product key" comes
up and does not allow me to change the key I have correctly entered. I am
now well past the time to activate and I have found no help from Dell or
Microsoft for this problem.

Any ideas for curing this problem will be gratefully appreciated.

 

[David B.]

Per the ELUA you cannot transfer an OEM XP license from one computer to
another.

 

[XP Guy]

Per the ELUA you cannot transfer an OEM XP license from one
computer to another.

He said he had "oem small builder" - perhaps he meant "system builder",
which is a generic product and is not the OEM version that comes
pre-installed with a mass-market PC such as Dell, Gateway, etc.

Are you sure that the license transfer can't happen with the "system
builder" version?

I routinely buy the system builder version of XP-pro to install on
newly-built hardware, but I'm not aware that once installed the license
(ie product key) can't be installed (moved) to a second PC if the first
one is disassembled, destroyed, or retired.

 

[Peter Foldes]

The OEM XP died along with the computer. Not transferable

 

[XP Guy]

The OEM XP died along with the computer. Not transferable

Stealing from the Mafia is no crime.

Stealing from Microsoft is the same.

Micro$oft has been prosecuted and has paid more fines in more courts
around the world than the Mafia. It is a criminal organization, and
it's products have been and continue to be a threat to national
security.

 

[peter]

Technically and legally you are not supposed to install that OEM XP version
on any other machine...
but it is possible to do so...only your conscience will know the
difference...
So first double/triple check the key numbers to make sure they are right if
you still cannot activate do the
phone activation and just explain that you needed to change a broken
motherboard and therefore are reinstalling the OS.

peter

 

[XP Guy]

The OP has a Dell, which presumably generates a characteristic inventory
hash for the purposes of WPA.

The OP also has (I think) a product key for XP - OEM System Builder.

System-builder would never legitimately see itself being installed on a
Dell. Presumably, Dell would have been assigned a set of OEM product
keys from Microsoft.

Question:

Does Microsoft have a way of knowing that a given product key could not
or should not be installed on a machine who's hardware comes back with
an inventory hash indicating an incompatible or inappropriate platform?

To take this further, would microsoft validate an OEM XP key that came
with a Dell PC if I was using it to install XP on Gateway PC?

To answer the OP's question, the following could explain his situation:

1) He typed in the wrong key code (perhaps he's typing in a serial
number and not the actual product key) or typed in a B when he should
have typed an 8.

2) His XP product key is blacklisted (not likely, but possible).

3) His XP product key has required too many previous re-validations
(because of too many hardware changes)

4) He can't use the XP key now because he last used it to validate (or
re-validate) another system less than 120 days ago (or is it 90 days?).

 

[Peter Foldes]

It will not activate either by internet or by phone. The number (license) has been
blocked along with the OEM Computer that it was installed on for the 1st time. That
answers your query in your other post in this thread

 

[XP Guy]

It will not activate either by internet or by phone. The
number (license) has been blocked

You are using confusing terms.

Please understand what a "product key" is. It is a sequence of 5 groups
of alpha-numberic characters, with 5 characters in each group.

The product key is what you enter during the installation of windows.

Where did you get the product key from? Is it a photo-copy, or do you
have the original sticker (also known as the COA) that is stuck to the
side of the computer or still stuck to the Windows instruction booklet?

How many times in the past have you had to validate XP on the machine
that had XP? How many hardware changes (CPU, RAM, CD/DVD drive, hard
drive, video card, network card) have you done to that computer in the
past?

Have you ever installed XP on any other machine in the past, using that
same exact XP product key?

Did you ever lend out that XP product key to a friend or relative in the
past because they were in a bind with their own machine and needed a
working product key?

along with the OEM Computer that it was installed on for the
1st time.

What do you mean when you say that "the OEM Computer was also blocked" ?

As far as I know, Microsoft can't block the installation of windows on a
specific machine because the hardware hash for XP is not specific enough
to identify any individual machine.

To install XP you need to give it a product key. There might be a
generic product key on your CD. If there is, it will be in the file
called unattend.txt. Search your CD for that file and read it. If the
file exists, it should contain a product key that will allow you to
install XP, but it probably won't validate it with Microsoft. For that,
you need to use the actual product key that came on the sticker with the
CD package.

If you're really desperate, try these keys:

CD87T-HFP4C-V7X7H-8VY68-W7D7M

XP8BF-F8HPF-PY6BX-K24PJ-TWT6M

T2H3V-JWXCH-MMKJ4-MRX6V-BWRTJ

V2C47-MK7JD-3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J

 

[Peter Foldes]

XP-Guy

<sigh>I have no words that can describe your ignorance and stupidity as to the post
you just did. Aside from showing that you know nothing you have posted those key
numbers which are now for sure dead. Bet you have no idea what I just said to you.

 

[peter]

I have installed a OEM XP on a E-Machine which originally had a different
version of XP on it.
I formatted the HD using BootItNg and then installed the OEM XP ...a quick
phone call activated the program.
I have done this on a few occasions with friends computers using the same
Small System Builder OEM XP CD...
The system builder OEM version doesn't give a shit about the type of machine
its installed on just so the HD is blank.
You can buy HP/Dell/???/ without Operating systems installed ...

 

[XP Guy]

<sigh>I have no words that can describe your ignorance and
stupidity as to the post you just did.

What - because I posted some product keys?

Keys that I found by doing google searches?

Why is that ignorant or stupid? Maybe you fear Micro$haft, but I
don't. They won't do anything about it.

Aside from showing that you know nothing

How exactly did I show that I "know nothing" ?

What didn't I know?

you have posted those key numbers which are now for sure
dead.

You assume that Macro$oft actually reads these posts.

The keys were posted months ago. They might be dead, or maybe not. The
original poster has got nothing to lose by trying them.

Bet you have no idea what I just said to you.

You said nothing.

Now, if you want to say something specific, if you want to answer the
questions I put to you above, then go ahead.

 

[XP Guy]

I have installed a OEM XP on a E-Machine which originally had a
different version of XP on it.
I formatted the HD using BootItNg and then installed the OEM XP
...a quick phone call activated the program.

That's nice. I'm proud of you.

I have done this on a few occasions with friends computers using
the same Small System Builder OEM XP CD...

Wow. You're kool.

Now tell us that you used the same product key for all your friend's
PC's.

The system builder OEM version doesn't give a shit about the type
of machine its installed on just so the HD is blank.

I never said it did you ****ing moron.

You can buy HP/Dell/???/ without Operating systems installed ...

Only some models, and usually models that are more expensive than
others.

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

I have a Dell with, now virtually useless, Win2000pro factory
installed.

Nearly useless?

Uh, no. Windows 2000 remains under security update support until sometime in
2010 (March?) and I'm using quite a bit of *current* version software on my
Windows 2000 machines--OpenOffice.org 3.0.1, Firefox 3.0.8, and even some
things that don't officially support it. There isn't anything I can think of
that this system can't do, and it does a lot.

William

 

[Shenan Stanley]

The hd with Xp oem small builder installed died and I am retiring that
computer. I have a Dell with, now virtually useless, Win2000pro factory
installed. I did a complete wipe and clean install on the Dell with the
disk
for XP family from the retired computer. Everything worked well except I
am
unable to activate the installed XP using the correct product key. I
enter
it and the error message "you have incorrectly typed the product key"
comes
up and does not allow me to change the key I have correctly entered. I am
now well past the time to activate and I have found no help from Dell or
Microsoft for this problem.

Any ideas for curing this problem will be gratefully appreciated.

Nearly useless?

Uh, no. Windows 2000 remains under security update support until sometime
in
2010 (March?) and I'm using quite a bit of *current* version software on
my
Windows 2000 machines--OpenOffice.org 3.0.1, Firefox 3.0.8, and even some
things that don't officially support it. There isn't anything I can think
of
that this system can't do, and it does a lot.

One man's trash... (you surely know the rest...) ;-)

Example: That system cannot run applications without modification that
_need_ Windows XP or above - or non-Windows OSes either, although not
relevant to the full conversation on the latter.

Might there be substitute applications for the ones that _need_ Windows XP
or above that can run on Windows 2000? Sure.

Might that be the optimal solution for everyone? Unlikely. ;-)

So - as the OP said, it may well be *virtually* useless (to them.) May be
fine for other people. *grin*

 

[Anteaus]

A point seemingly missed by the soapboxers is that if the key cannot be
entered -as opposed to activated- then it suggests that the type of CD and
type of key do not match. It may be that the system builder gave you a
corporate install for the sake of avoiding activation hassles, but gave you
an OEM licence and CD. Or, it may be that they are not of the same
service-pack level. AFAIR SP2 and SP3 keys are interchangeable but early
(pre-SP2) keys are not interchangeable with later ones.

Technically, Microsoft forbid the transfer of OEM copies to different
hardware, but whether this is enforceable depends on the laws in your
country. In any case it has no bearing on whether the key will enter, as that
would equally affect the original computer should it need a reload.

 

[THE C. [MS MVP]]

I never thought I would agree with Peter Foldes, but XP Guy what you have
done is crazy wrong! OEM anywhere in the key is not transferable.
--
Computer/Software Tech.

Make it a great day!

Charles Richmond

 

[XP Guy]

I never thought I would agree with Peter Foldes, but XP Guy what
you have done is crazy wrong!

What have I done was "crazy wrong" ?

OEM anywhere in the key is not transferable.

How does the Microsoft WPA system know?

How does it know if I use an OEM key from one system and try to activate
it on the hardware of another manufacturer?

 

[Phulltillt]

One of the reasons I wanted to switch the OS on my Dell was the fact the
instant play movie download using my Netflix subscription will NOT work. It
requires XP or Vista to work. This is not the only video application that
will not work on 2000. You are right on the money for "One mans trash...".
I have searched for a Netflix work around and not found anything. Thank you
for your response.

 

[Phulltillt]

You are using confusing terms.

Please understand what a "product key" is. It is a sequence of 5 groups
of alpha-numberic characters, with 5 characters in each group.

The product key is what you enter during the installation of windows.

Where did you get the product key from? Is it a photo-copy, or do you
have the original sticker (also known as the COA) that is stuck to the
side of the computer or still stuck to the Windows instruction booklet?

I am using the one that is still stuck to the intruction book.

How many times in the past have you had to validate XP on the machine
that had XP? How many hardware changes (CPU, RAM, CD/DVD drive, hard
drive, video card, network card) have you done to that computer in the
past?

Probably two times both due to irrepairable virus damage.

Have you ever installed XP on any other machine in the past, using that
same exact XP product key?

No I have not.

Did you ever lend out that XP product key to a friend or relative in the
past because they were in a bind with their own machine and needed a
working product key?

NO...I am the first and only user to register.

?


What do you mean when you say that "the OEM Computer was also blocked" ?

I did not say it was blocked.

As far as I know, Microsoft can't block the installation of windows on a
specific machine because the hardware hash for XP is not specific enough
to identify any individual machine.

To install XP you need to give it a product key. There might be a
generic product key on your CD. If there is, it will be in the file
called unattend.txt. Search your CD for that file and read it. If the
file exists, it should contain a product key that will allow you to
install XP, but it probably won't validate it with Microsoft. For that,
you need to use the actual product key that came on the sticker with the
CD package.

The original, registered to me, product key allowed me to install XP but it
will not validate with Microsoft.

If you're really desperate, try these keys:

CD87T-HFP4C-V7X7H-8VY68-W7D7M

XP8BF-F8HPF-PY6BX-K24PJ-TWT6M

T2H3V-JWXCH-MMKJ4-MRX6V-BWRTJ

V2C47-MK7JD-3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J

I would prefer not to be desperate...