EssDee,

Use the Product ID for the CD you are using, it does not match the copy of XP that was installed on your computer. After XP is installed if it is not activated, change the Product ID to the one on the sticker on the computer case before activating, using the procedure here.

Thanks. I'll give that a try and let you know how it goes.

EssDee

Sadly, that didn't do the trick. The Product Code from the sticker on the PC isn't accepted as a valid key.

Any other thoughts?

EssDee

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EssDee wrote:
Sadly, that didn't do the trick. The Product Code from the sticker on the PC isn't accepted as a valid key.

Any other thoughts?

EssDee

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You are not mistaking the product code are you??? Sometimes letters can look like numbers, and vice versa.

Edit: Whoops, should have read the original post better.... Retail is not the same as Dell supplied. My bad...



I wish I knew more. Maybe Google, or Microsoft can help. Good luck, and Happy Holidays!!:)

Message Edited by msil217 on 12-24-2004 05:35 AM

If you bought a retail copy of Windows XP,  you must use the product key supplied with the new retail version.  The product key on the PC is only for the Dell provided copy.

From your original post it would appear you are trying to use the Dell product key, which is invalid with the new Retail copy you have.

Thanks for the reply firebird. I think you've hit the nail on the head.

I have a Dell PC with the sticker on the case with the key. But, I have no Dell CD to work from. Trying to use a retail CD with the Dell Key to load to the Dell PC doesn't work. It looks like I need to get a Dell CD to work from. I'll call the Sales Group shortly to see if I can purchase a replacement copy of the media and for how much.

Thanks,

EssDee

Message Edited by EssDee on 12-24-2004 11:52 AM

Thanks for the follow-up msil217. Yes, I thought about having mis-read the key, but I've been over it multiple times and even had someone else read it to verify what my eyes had seen. That doesn't appear to be the problem.

I think I mis-interpreted the statement at http://www.djdenham.com/New%20user%20questions.htm#DellXP and took it to mean the CDs were the same too. Apparently they're not and I need an actual Dell CD to work from.

Thanks again.

EssDee

Message Edited by EssDee on 12-24-2004 11:52 AM

EssDee,

The operating systems contained on all Windows XP CDs are the same. A Dell XP Reinstallation CD contains the entire Windows XP operating system but it is keyed to a Dell BIOS so it cannot be used to install XP on a non-Dell system. A retail CD can be used to install XP on any system.

When you install XP using the retail CD you have enter the 25-character Product ID from the packaging with that CD, not from the sticker on the Dell case. XP should install without difficulty. Once it has been installed, you can change the Product ID to the one on the computer's sticker using the procedure in the link I provided in my first post in this thread before the installation is activated.

You may or may not receive a replacement XP CD from Dell, such a replacement is only guaranteed if requested within 21 days of the invoice date of the computer.

Thanks for your reply Denny.

I followed the procedures outlined in the link you provided earlier, but was unsuccessful in making it to the end.

I installed XP Home from the retail box using the key provided with that retail version. It installed normally.

I did NOT activate that version.

Then I went through the registry change and msoobe.exe changes as indicated in the linked procedure.

When it asked for the changed key, I entered the key that came form the sticker on the side of the Dell case. It wouldn't accept that as a valid key. I checked and re-checked and re-checked again (as Leno would say) to make sure I had it typed in correctly. I did. Still no success. It just would not take the Dell key.

I'm at a loss for why that procedure doesn't work for me.

I'm also still pursuing a replacement CD with Dell and will see where that leads.

Thanks,
EssDee

EssDee,

I guess checking, re-checking, and re-checking again only works if you are working on The National Enquirer or The Star.

The only thing that occurs to me that might be happening is that perhaps the version XP Home that was originally installed was a "different" version, i.e. the original installation was XP SP1 and the version you are now installing is XP SP2. Whether this would cause the problem you are experiencing is not clear and I'm not knowledgeable enough about Product Activation to say.

With luck, Dell will agree to provide a replacement XP Reinstallation CD.

Thank you Denny,

You thoughts could be what's going on. I'm not sure which versions are involved. At any rate, I finally reached a Dell rep who understood what I was asking and promised to ship me a replacement CD. In a few days I should have it and (fingers and toes crossed) be on my way.

Thanks,
EssDee

(I really should do a spell check before I post so I don't have to come back and edit like this )

Message Edited by EssDee on 12-24-2004 05:43 PM

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@fireberd wrote:

Once you install the Retail version (with it's key) that IS the Windows XP version you have and what you should activate.  Your old Dell version and it's product key are no longer valid and trying to change the key in the Retail version to the Dell key is a no-no. 

 

You may have been able to do this with older Windows versions, but with the new activation requirements and only being able to use XP with one system it's a new ball game.

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The procedure given in the JSI link is taken from a MSKB document which was released subsequent to the release of Windows XP and which dealt specifically with Windows XP. Specifying a procedure to be used prior to activation would have made little sense if applied to an operating system which did not use product activation.