Reinstalling Windows XP when valid License Key does not work- HELP

[Guest]

I am a local computer repair person. Lately, I have ran into this problem
with reinstalling Windows XP on a computer. I have a copy of Windows XP first
off. This computer was a HP machine that has a Rescue Partition, which has
also been destroyed. There is a VALID license key sticker on the side of the
PC. When Windows XP setup prompted me to enter the license key, I entered the
one off of the sticker. to my surprise, it would not work! What can be done
about this?

Also, is there anyway I could order just the Windows CD-ROM(s) from
Microsoft? I do not want the keys, I just need the CDs for computer repair
purposes.

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

REPLACEMENT MS CDs - 800-360-7561

HP will sell you a copy of the CD that contains the 'image' of the system
that the 'sticker' Product key works with.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am a local computer repair person. Lately, I have ran into this problem
with reinstalling Windows XP on a computer. I have a copy of Windows XP first
off. This computer was a HP machine that has a Rescue Partition, which has
also been destroyed. There is a VALID license key sticker on the side of the
PC. When Windows XP setup prompted me to enter the license key, I entered the
one off of the sticker. to my surprise, it would not work! What can be done
about this?

Use the correct type of installation CD to go with thw Product Key,
OEM, in this case. As a "computer repair person," you must surely know
that 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.

Also, is there anyway I could order just the Windows CD-ROM(s) from
Microsoft? I do not want the keys, I just need the CDs for computer repair
purposes.

Again, as a "computer repair person," you must surely know that OEm
installation media can be obtained *only* from the computer's
manufacturer. Microsoft has never supported OEM installations.



--

Bruce Chambers

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