Replace Defective CD?

[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

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

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

 

[Guest]

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.

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

:

| 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]

 

[Mario Schmidt]

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.

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.

 

[Guest]

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.

 

[Mario Schmidt]

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.

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.