URGENT- Invalid Code- Retail XP Home Upgrade (last day to replace at store-maybe)

[QZ]

I got a Windows XP SP2 Home Upgrade- Retail. for one of our two homebuilt
PCs,
that will soon be partially upgraded. It was the next to last day to return
it, so I had to check it for defects. (Actually, their policy isn't even
clear that they would replace it.) I bought it from an office super store.
It looks factory sealed to me. CD looks fine. I attempted a clean install,
as usual. (The other PC has another copy of WinXP)

If installed successfully, I know I would then have 30 days to use it w/o
activating; in the meantime I would have the PC upgraded, and then could
re-install it.

I get 'The CD Key which you entered is invalid'. And I read MS's article
about this before asking. No, I am not misreading the letters/numbers. I
even had someone else double check it. I made settings changes in the BIOS
regarding it's virus checker and others.

Short of a defective CD or CD-ROM drive, I don't know what is the problem. I
haven't found anyone else having this error for a new retail install. My
luck, for testing, it might be
just this old PC being problematic.Maybe when the PC is upgraded it might be
fine, but who knows.

Maybe a typo on the ID sticker. Maybe I need a new key? How is the wait time
with MS phones?

It could be faster then 'chatting' with the vendor, preparing this one for
shipping, and mailing it back.

Thanks,
QZ

 

[Yves Leclerc]

First, on official Microsoft Retail kits of Windows XP, the CD Key is not
on a sticker but printed on a label stuck on the back of the media folder.
If you got an XP install CD with just a sticker then you have an OEM
version. If the CD Key is stated to be invalid, return it since this seems
to be a bogus kit. If the store is not willing to exchange/replace/refund
it, you "could" file a complaint with Microsoft as part of the Piracy
policy.

 

[QZ]

Look, I appreciate you trying to help, but when I say the key is on a
sticker, I am referring to the sticker (or you call it a label) on the back
of the media folder of the *Retail* kit.
Can a retail kit from an office super store be bogus?
What would be your advice now?
Techincally, they say open software can't be returned. But, I wonder if it
is just an oversite, that they don't mention replacing defective software,
like all other chain stores do.

I am trying to go the simplest route first. Maybe: try MS for another key.
Ask to return kit to store. If not, the CD needs to be replaced, I guess.
I wonder if the CD-ROM drive is defective, like maybe it isn't correctly
loading the software that checks the key. The HDD was just checked with the
drive's utility. Am I missing something?
This is frustrating, I didn't even get my components yet; when I do, I will
have to re-install, and then activate, if I can get this fixed.

*Also, maybe someone had this error before, and the problem was not
something listed on MS's support site?*

Thanks