valid serial key..now invalid?

[Guest]

I had a Gateway Solo Laptop that was sent in to a Computer MD store for a
software upgrade to Windows XP Professional (over a year ago). I got the
computer back with no problems.. used wireless and for spreadsheets XL. The
laptop was great and never had any problems with windows XP. I recently sold
the laptop on ebay (got a newer Toshiba). The new owner has emailed me that
the Windows XP is not valid and cannot get updates. Is this possible? I
don't have the reciept for it (its older and did not keep it).
I called and emailed the Computer MD store and have yet to get a better
answer (other than, "Your install was a legal version") From what I can find
so far is they are installing the upgrades and just purchasing the serial
numbers?
I want to help the new owner out.. but not sure how to proceed. I never had
this issue when I had it, and wondering if this is some sort of mistake?
Can she (new owner) get ahold of Microsoft for assistance? She has the model
and serial number of the laptop.
Please help!

 

[Kerry Brown]

Unless you got the upgrade CD and a new key to go along with it your upgrade
was not a valid license. If you didn't get those I would threaten the
Computer MD store with reporting them to Microsoft unless they can provide
it. It sounds like they sc#$%d you. The new owner could possibly contact
Gateway and purchase a recovery CD set which would use the product key that
is probably on the bottom of the laptop.

 

[Glen]

If the laptop has a serial on the bottom why can't that be used. There are
plenty of programs out there that will change the serial. As to the computer
store the OP should ask them for written proof that a legal version was
installed. That gives him written proof that the store did work on the
laptop in case of legal action.

Also Microsoft have a program that people who have been honestly duped and
have written proof can get given a legal version from Microsoft. I cant find
the web address at the moment but an email to Microsoft would get the info.

If the OP gets magic jellybean he can see the installed serial and see if
its the same as printed on the bottom.

Magic Jellybean
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

[DL]

may also be caused by a problem with the newish windows genuine advantage
update (WGA) google for details, or search winxp ng's

 

[Kerry Brown]

I'm assuming the laptop came with XP Home or Win9x as the XP Pro was an
upgrade. You can't use a Home key with Pro.

 

[Guest]

The laptop was an older Gateway P3. I took it to Computer MD's to update
memory.. they recommended I change my operating system to Winxp pro. I paid
250 bucks (about).. and everything was fine. I had internet access and never
had a problem after that. Now that the new owner has it.. she has informed
me that she is getting re-directed to some site saying it is invalid or
something to that effect.
The Computer MD's don't really seem to care.. They just told me today, that
they purchase the serial license (I assume from Microsoft) and provided the
OS. I seriously do NOT remember them giving me a CD. I got my laptop back
and all was great with it. Now it seems to the new owner that I may have
duped her with an illegal version or something. The laptop had Windows98
from Gateway.. and the serial on the bottom was for that. The new owner may
be able to access the current serial number for XP (somehow) .. but what good
will that do with Microsoft? I appreciate your help with this.. but not sure
what else I can do here...
Eric

 

[Kerry Brown]

You were ripped off.

 

[Leythos]

The laptop was an older Gateway P3. I took it to Computer MD's to update
memory.. they recommended I change my operating system to Winxp pro. I paid
250 bucks (about).. and everything was fine. I had internet access and never
had a problem after that. Now that the new owner has it.. she has informed
me that she is getting re-directed to some site saying it is invalid or
something to that effect.
The Computer MD's don't really seem to care.. They just told me today, that
they purchase the serial license (I assume from Microsoft) and provided the
OS. I seriously do NOT remember them giving me a CD. I got my laptop back
and all was great with it. Now it seems to the new owner that I may have
duped her with an illegal version or something. The laptop had Windows98
from Gateway.. and the serial on the bottom was for that. The new owner may
be able to access the current serial number for XP (somehow) .. but what good
will that do with Microsoft? I appreciate your help with this.. but not sure
what else I can do here...

The Windows XP if it was OEM, and $250 is not OEM pricing, would have
come with a Sticker that the OEM is required to put on the laptop or
computer, it would have the Windows XP COA Key on it.

If you don't have a sticker then you didn't get what you paid for.

Retail XP Prof is about $250 in many stores, and it comes with a hard
paper quad fold packet and one side has the Windows XP CD, the other
side is has an orange sticker that contains the COA Key.

If you don't have either of these, then you got a pirated copy of XP.