Reinstalling Win XP Professional and having problems

[Guest]

I recently was trying to install some audio software on my computer, and it
froze for over thirty minutes, so I restarted my computer. It gave me the
blue warning screen saying that some System32 file was corrupt or missing. I
then tried to debug the problem and get the file from a friend's WinXP
install CD. It didn't work.

I then reinstalled Windows (using friend's CD, mine is 150 miles away, and
too much of a hassle to get to), and when it asks me to enter my Product ID,
I put in MY pID (from the base of my laptop), and try to click enter. It says
that my ID is not a valid entry. I've tried to use Microsoft's support email
system, but I have the same error when I enter my pID there also.

What's going on? Win XP came with my Dell laptop, and I haven't changed the
OS since I bought it. The ID should be correct.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I recently was trying to install some audio software on my computer,
and it froze for over thirty minutes, so I restarted my computer. It
gave me the blue warning screen saying that some System32 file was
corrupt or missing. I then tried to debug the problem and get the
file from a friend's WinXP install CD. It didn't work.

I then reinstalled Windows (using friend's CD, mine is 150 miles
away, and too much of a hassle to get to), and when it asks me to
enter my Product ID, I put in MY pID (from the base of my laptop),
and try to click enter. It says that my ID is not a valid entry. I've
tried to use Microsoft's support email system, but I have the same
error when I enter my pID there also.

What's going on? Win XP came with my Dell laptop, and I haven't
changed the OS since I bought it. The ID should be correct.

Seeing this post - your other post makes more sense.

You have an OEM CD that came with the Dell. Your friend likely has a Retail
CD.
Not the same. The CD Key that works with your CD will not work with his CD
and vice-versa. You need to have an OEM CD in order to use an OEM version.
You need to have a Retail key in order to use a Retail CD..

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I recently was trying to install some audio software on my computer, and it
froze for over thirty minutes, so I restarted my computer. It gave me the
blue warning screen saying that some System32 file was corrupt or missing. I
then tried to debug the problem and get the file from a friend's WinXP
install CD. It didn't work.

I then reinstalled Windows (using friend's CD, mine is 150 miles away, and
too much of a hassle to get to), and when it asks me to enter my Product ID,
I put in MY pID (from the base of my laptop), and try to click enter. It says
that my ID is not a valid entry. I've tried to use Microsoft's support email
system, but I have the same error when I enter my pID there also.

What's going on? Win XP came with my Dell laptop, and I haven't changed the
OS since I bought it. The ID should be correct.

"What's going on" is that your friend didn't have the same type of CD
and license that you do. You need to use *your* Product Key with *your*
installation CD.

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 CD/license types cannot be mixed & matched.

However, within its class/type, each CD is not unique. Therefore;
a retail full WinXP Pro product key will work with any retail full WinXP
Pro CD. A WinXP Home Upgrade product key will work with any WinXP Home
Upgrade CD. I think you get the picture, now....


--

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