XP Reinstall key problem.

[Guest]

Hi there

I have an issue that I hope you folks can help me with. I fixed a pc with a broken hdd for a friend. Now he doesn't have the original restore disk that came with the pc but has the sticker on the pc. When I use my copy of XP home and try to use that key it refuses to work, stating its an invalid key. His pc/licence key was also for home

Now I sumise that it is a volume key on his PC butt surely he shouldn't have to repurchase a copy because of some lame copy protection scheme that locks out valid users

How can I fix this problem? Will Microsoft just give me a new key if I give them the one off the PC

Cheer

Stu

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Product Key affixed to the computer will only work with
the PC manufacturer's restore CD. So the course of action is
to contact the PC manufacturer and request a restore CD replacement.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| Hi there,
|
| I have an issue that I hope you folks can help me with. I fixed a pc with a broken hdd for a friend. Now he
doesn't have the original restore disk that came with the pc but has the sticker on the pc. When I use my copy
of XP home and try to use that key it refuses to work, stating its an invalid key. His pc/licence key was also
for home.
|
| Now I sumise that it is a volume key on his PC butt surely he shouldn't have to repurchase a copy because of
some lame copy protection scheme that locks out valid users !
|
| How can I fix this problem? Will Microsoft just give me a new key if I give them the one off the PC ?
|
| Cheers
|
| Stu

 

[Guest]

But Carey, the problem is the manufacturer is no longer in business and the people that bought the business cannot provide a restore CD. Its unfair to penalise legit users with this copy protection.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Well, it was the PC manufacturer who created the restore CD, not Microsoft.
Since the owner lost the restore CD, he should take responsibility. Only thing
that can be done is to purchase a conventional "Full Version" of Windows XP
and install it. Microsoft can only replace "retail versions" of Windows XP
and cannot replace "Restore CDs" since the PC manufacturer performs the
customizations.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

They chose to buy OEM.
No support of this kind from Microsoft is one of the many reasons they
paid less for their OEM than retail.
Think of OEM as being manufactured, sold and supported by the seller
and not Microsoft and you may get the idea as to why Microsoft can not
support it.

You could search sources such as EBay for an OEM CD for a similar
computer.
If the lost OEM CD was the generic OEM CD instead of a Restore or
image CD, Microsoft may be able to help, but no guarantees:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326246

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/

But Carey, the problem is the manufacturer is no longer in business

and the people that bought the business cannot provide a restore CD.
Its unfair to penalise legit users with this copy protection.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for
any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and
vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full
version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with
an English CD.

Bottom line: Product Keys and CDs cannot be mixed & matched. You
have to have the specific type of installation CD for which that
license is designed.

Have your friend contact the PC's manufacturer for a replacement
CD.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Unfair? How so? If you forgot where you parked your car, would
you expect Ford to replace it? Your friend will just have to grow up
and learn to accept the consequences of his actions.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH