Windows XP activation

[Guest]

I have a COA for Windows XP home. My problem is that when I am trying to
reinstall XP, I receive the message that it is an invalid key. I do not have
an original disc, because I bought my computer from a small business that
simply purchased COA's for their systems. I know this COA is valid because i
have activated this copy the original time, and a second time myself and a
friend activated it once after a motherboard change. I have recently used a
friend's disc to reinstall and encountered the invalid key error. I needed my
computer, so I resorted to using his key till I could figure this out. Any
help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I have a COA for Windows XP home. My problem is that when I am trying to
reinstall XP, I receive the message that it is an invalid key. I do not
have
an original disc, because I bought my computer from a small business that
simply purchased COA's for their systems. I know this COA is valid because
i
have activated this copy the original time, and a second time myself and a
friend activated it once after a motherboard change. I have recently used
a
friend's disc to reinstall and encountered the invalid key error. I needed
my
computer, so I resorted to using his key till I could figure this out. Any
help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

There are different keys for different media types- i.e. the COA for an OEM
CD will not work with a Retail CD and a Volume Licesed media cannot be used
with a Retail key and so on and so on.
You have to use the correct media for the key you have.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
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[Guest]

Is there any way i could get ahold of the proper disc or do i have to
purchase a new copy of windows XP?

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Is there any way i could get ahold of the proper disc or do i have to
purchase a new copy of windows XP?

It depends on what the proper disk is.
You need to acquire the correct disk for the type of COA you have. So if it
is a retail COA then you will need to get a retail CD. If it is an OEM one
then an OEM one.
OEM Media will only be supplied by the OEM, replacement Retail Media may
be available from Microsoft (if you have adequate proof of purchase etc)
see http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups