Replace Defective CD?

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Guest

I have a Windows XP Pro Upgrade CD that gives erratic results, and never
completes an upgrade from XP Home or 98SE. In order to rule out hardware
issues, I have successfully done a clean install of 98SE (OEM), then upgraded
to XP Home, complete (new) install. Both OSs installed correctly the first
time. I read a KB article (326246) about replacing defective CDs if you have
proof of purchase (I do) and the original CD. Unfortunately, it's been some
time since I bought the upgrade, the store won't accept a return.

The CD looks fine other than one scratch, I have certainly used more damaged
CDs before, but this could be worse than it looks, in a critical area, or
Windows is especially sensitive. The CD is non-OEM, non-retail, purchased
through an academic discount program. It is unlicensed without a seperate
license (meaning upgrade only, I assume) and says "Not for Retail or OEM
Distribution"

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the install far enough to generate a product
key, since Email/chat support seemed a simple way to figure out if I can
replace it or not. The KB article was vague and just sent me to product
support.

Is there a way to replace the defective CD? It has never been activated or
successfully installed, and I have proof of purchase and the original CD &
product key. If so, does anyone know the cost? Often, the replacement cost
rivals the original purchase price, as I suspect may be the case in my
instance.

The KB article
 
How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------------

:

| I have a Windows XP Pro Upgrade CD that gives erratic results, and never
| completes an upgrade from XP Home or 98SE. In order to rule out hardware
| issues, I have successfully done a clean install of 98SE (OEM), then upgraded
| to XP Home, complete (new) install. Both OSs installed correctly the first
| time. I read a KB article (326246) about replacing defective CDs if you have
| proof of purchase (I do) and the original CD. Unfortunately, it's been some
| time since I bought the upgrade, the store won't accept a return.
|
| The CD looks fine other than one scratch, I have certainly used more damaged
| CDs before, but this could be worse than it looks, in a critical area, or
| Windows is especially sensitive. The CD is non-OEM, non-retail, purchased
| through an academic discount program. It is unlicensed without a seperate
| license (meaning upgrade only, I assume) and says "Not for Retail or OEM
| Distribution"
|
| Unfortunately, I couldn't get the install far enough to generate a product
| key, since Email/chat support seemed a simple way to figure out if I can
| replace it or not. The KB article was vague and just sent me to product
| support.
|
| Is there a way to replace the defective CD? It has never been activated or
| successfully installed, and I have proof of purchase and the original CD &
| product key. If so, does anyone know the cost? Often, the replacement cost
| rivals the original purchase price, as I suspect may be the case in my
| instance.
|
| The KB article
 
Thank you for the prompt reply. However, as I indicated in my post, I
consulted the EXACT KB article you referenced, 326246, finding it vague and
sending me to product support. How does one get product support without a
product ID? How do I get a Product ID if I can't install the product? How
could there be a hardware issue if two successful Windows installs completed
without incident?

My question is how EXACTLY does one replace a defective CD, or contact
support to do so? Without a Product ID, getting a hold of support isn't very
easy. I really need installation support, which of course they want a
product ID for.

Most frustrating.

Carey Frisch said:
How to replace lost, broken, or missing Microsoft software or hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246/en-us
Click to expand...
:

| I have a Windows XP Pro Upgrade CD that gives erratic results, and never
| completes an upgrade from XP Home or 98SE. In order to rule out hardware
| issues, I have successfully done a clean install of 98SE (OEM), then upgraded
| to XP Home, complete (new) install. Both OSs installed correctly the first
| time. I read a KB article (326246) about replacing defective CDs if you have
| proof of purchase (I do) and the original CD. Unfortunately, it's been some
| time since I bought the upgrade, the store won't accept a return.
|
| The CD looks fine other than one scratch, I have certainly used more damaged
| CDs before, but this could be worse than it looks, in a critical area, or
| Windows is especially sensitive. The CD is non-OEM, non-retail, purchased
| through an academic discount program. It is unlicensed without a seperate
| license (meaning upgrade only, I assume) and says "Not for Retail or OEM
| Distribution"
|
| Unfortunately, I couldn't get the install far enough to generate a product
| key, since Email/chat support seemed a simple way to figure out if I can
| replace it or not. The KB article was vague and just sent me to product
| support.
|
| Is there a way to replace the defective CD? It has never been activated or
| successfully installed, and I have proof of purchase and the original CD &
| product key. If so, does anyone know the cost? Often, the replacement cost
| rivals the original purchase price, as I suspect may be the case in my
| instance.
|
| The KB article
[/QUOTE]
 
GregS said:
Thank you for the prompt reply. However, as I indicated in my post, I
consulted the EXACT KB article you referenced, 326246, finding it vague and
sending me to product support. How does one get product support without a
product ID? How do I get a Product ID if I can't install the product? How
could there be a hardware issue if two successful Windows installs completed
without incident?

My question is how EXACTLY does one replace a defective CD, or contact
support to do so? Without a Product ID, getting a hold of support isn't very
easy. I really need installation support, which of course they want a
product ID for.

Most frustrating.
Click to expand...

Huh? The Product-Key is printed on the CD-Case. Use that one to get
support. Nobody cares about any IDs you generate while activating
Windows because they are partly random.
 
The Product Key is no problem, of course it's right on the CD case. The
number support wants is the product ID that you find under My Computer/System
or Control Panel/System. It looks something like: 55277-XXX-0011903-00000
(not a real key for security reasons, but the format is correct). I don't
know how to get this without installing the software.
 
GregS said:
The Product Key is no problem, of course it's right on the CD case. The
number support wants is the product ID that you find under My Computer/System
or Control Panel/System. It looks something like: 55277-XXX-0011903-00000
(not a real key for security reasons, but the format is correct). I don't
know how to get this without installing the software.
Click to expand...

You're right, I am also not aware of another way. So just call in and
tell them the story, I am sure there is a way to get a replacement. If
not, got download a "pirate" copy of the media and use your legit
product key, you just got the license to do that.
 
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