Reformatted harddrive, tried to reinstall xp, cd key no longer wor

[Ben Phua]

Hi Guys,

I recently hit some massive problems on my computer and it was recommended
to me by my dad to reformat my harddrive which I did.

But after the reformat I was unable to use my windows xp cd key again. I
went online to check and found some posts on "virgin" cd keys etc. Is there
any way to save my cd key? Really don't want to fork over a few hundred bucks
for a new copy of vista...

Desperately,

Ben Phua

 

[philo]

Hi Guys,

I recently hit some massive problems on my computer and it was recommended
to me by my dad to reformat my harddrive which I did.

But after the reformat I was unable to use my windows xp cd key again. I
went online to check and found some posts on "virgin" cd keys etc. Is there
any way to save my cd key? Really don't want to fork over a few hundred bucks
for a new copy of vista...

Desperately,

Ben Phua

There is absolutely nothing on the drive after a format
that would have retained anything from the previous install...
So either you typed wrong...or you have kept the CD in the wrong case

 

[Malke]

Hi Guys,

I recently hit some massive problems on my computer and it was recommended
to me by my dad to reformat my harddrive which I did.

But after the reformat I was unable to use my windows xp cd key again. I
went online to check and found some posts on "virgin" cd keys etc. Is there
any way to save my cd key? Really don't want to fork over a few hundred bucks
for a new copy of vista...

Why can't you use your XP Product key? What happens when you try?



Malke

 

[Ben Phua]

Well, first I reformatted my C:\ drive I still have a D, E, F, G drive
(shouldn't make a difference right? Considering windows was not on it.)

Then I re-booted and started the windows xp installation process.

Reaches the point where I need to input my windows xp cd key,

And it says my cd key is invalid. (It's worked before)

I tried using a corporate key and that didn't work either.

 

[Malke]

Well, first I reformatted my C:\ drive I still have a D, E, F, G drive
(shouldn't make a difference right? Considering windows was not on it.)

Then I re-booted and started the windows xp installation process.

Reaches the point where I need to input my windows xp cd key,

And it says my cd key is invalid. (It's worked before)

I tried using a corporate key and that didn't work either.

If the key is invalid then you are installing with media that doesn't
match the key. Or you're entering it incorrectly. Have a knowledgeable
friend help you. Since we can't see what you're doing, there really is
very little someone reading your post in a newsgroup can do.


Malke

 

[PaulZ]

This might sound strange , but I had a similar problem not too long ago ,
and called MS even though it was OEM.
They confirmed that my key was indeed valid , but when I entered it at the
prompt it was rejected. They were going to issue me a new key , but I got
transferred to another MS rep who suggested it might be a problem with the
CD. I tried a different XP Home CD and it was ACCEPTED !! If you know anyone
with another with the same version ( OEM , UPGRADE ,FULL ) borrow their CD
and try.
I should ad that the original disk was the ORIGINAL XP ( no service packs )
and the one that I tried and worked was SP 2 ( with the original key )
It's worth a try !

 

[Lil' Dave]

If the key is invalid then you are installing with media that doesn't
match the key. Or you're entering it incorrectly. Have a knowledgeable
friend help you. Since we can't see what you're doing, there really is
very little someone reading your post in a newsgroup can do.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Just a thought. I have XP w/SP1 generic OEM installation CD. The key is on
a sticker that I attached to the PC per directions that came with the CD.

The letters/numbers on the sticker are very small. And, easy to confuse
with numbers/letters that look similar from a distance. So, I got up close,
wrote down the key from the sticker to paper. First time I installed said
XP, said key was invalid. I reverified the key 3 times against the sticker.
Turns out, one of three "B"s is an "8" to make an accurate working key. The
sticker has all "B"s, no "8"s. Trial and error was how I got it to work.
Dave

 

[Daave]

Hi Guys,

I recently hit some massive problems on my computer and it was
recommended to me by my dad to reformat my harddrive which I did.

But after the reformat I was unable to use my windows xp cd key
again. I went online to check and found some posts on "virgin" cd
keys etc. Is there any way to save my cd key? Really don't want to
fork over a few hundred bucks for a new copy of vista...

1. What is the make and model of the PC? What was the original operating
system on it? Does it have a Certificate of Authenticity sticker on it?

2. What kind of Windows XP CD do you have? Home or Pro? Retail, branded
OEM, or generic OEM? Full or Upgrade?

3. Where are you getting your key from?

4. What do you mean by "save my cd key?"

5. What kind of massive problems did you have? Did you know that
reinstalling the OS is rarely necessary?

6. Since you mentioned reformatting, it sounds like you were performing
a Clean Install? Is this correct? If not, how did you reformat the hard
drive?