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Bad Product Key?
I am trying to reinstall XP on an Inspiron 5100 using a generic XP Pro CD. During setup I wiped, recreated and reformatted the installation partition. After the initial setup phase finishes and the laptop reboots, everything is fine until I am promted for the XP product key. I've tried both the key from the label on the bottom of the laptop and the OEM key that was in "unattend.txt" in the old \i386 directory. In both cases setup tells me that the key is invalid.
Can anyone help?
Thanks.
- Jcuccia,
The key that must be entered during a clean install with a "generic" Win XP Pro CD is the Product Key for that "generic" Win XP Pro CD and that CD alone. If the "generic" Win XP Pro has been installed (activated) on another PC, it will not activate through Microsoft Product Activation clearing house. If you do not have the "generic" Win XP Pro key, and your Dell key is for Windows XP Pro, you may be able to temporarily activate your "generic" Windows XP Professional Full Edition using the method described by Microsoft: http://download.microsoft.com/download/2/e/0/2e0e3caf-9005-4058-b3e5-42432655b486/PRO/WPA_Deployment.doc
As Firebird pointed out, the Dell key on the PC can only be used if your Windows XP Pro is the same version as that on the label.
If your Dell key is not for Windows XP Professional, your choices are:
1. Do a clean install with the Dell Windows XP Home Reinstallation CD that matches the version on your Dell Product Key.
2. Do a clean install with a retail Microsoft XP Home or Pro CD that has not been previously activated on another PC.
All OEM keys for the top 20 PC manufacturers must be activated through the Microsoft clearinghouse if the PC was shipped on or after February 28, 2005. This was not required on earlier Dell PCs.Tony
fireberd
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Posted March 15th, 2006 22:00