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product key code invalid
Purchased a used computer and could not access the desktop once I got it home. I did a reboot and at the prompt to erase prior owners stuff or leave as is I erased and put in the cd for xp2002 it cleared the drive and started downloading programs from cd. Came to product code which I retrieved from the sticker on my computer and it does not match. So now I am hung up with 30 min to finish but i can't get passed the invalid code. Called support they said wait til Monday for care svc. Meanwhile computer is will not let me abort setup. I can't even shut down. Any one have a generic prod code so i may finish setup. Help, PLEASE!!
Rainh2o
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 00:00
I have a similar problem. I had some upgrading done to my Dimension 8100 which resulted in the hard drive having to be reformatted. Thus, I lost all the programs. I have the original disks for Microsoft Works Suite. It all installed to my computer. I can access the spreadsheet but not Word. It is asking me for the CD code. There is none on the sleeve that came with the disks. They were originally installed by Dell when I purchased the computer.
What good are the disks if one can't use them to restore the program? Any help out there will be greatly appreciated.
Is there a code on the disk itself that I could find? The sleeve is blank - no sticker.667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 01:00
rainh2o,
You should be able to turn the computer off with the power button. On XP systems it must be held in for several seconds before the system powers off. If that does not work, unplugging it won't hurt it.
You might be able to obtain an OEM XP CD from Dell if you were on record as the owner but since you purchased the system from a pawn shop it is unlikely that you have the original purchaser's name and address and other information necessary to transfer ownership. Given that, the easiest solution is to purchase a new copy (with Produc ID information attached).
667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 01:00
@rainh2o wrote:
Denny,
The cd i am using is windown xp home edition upgrade version 2002. I purchased the from a pawn shop. It was working at the store desktop was visible. I do not believe these to items went together. (cd and computer).The sticker on the computer says windows xp home edition. I don't know the year.
Thanks for response.
Rainh2o
The CD obviously did not come with the computer. In order to use the CD you need to know the Product ID associated with the CD itself. The one on your computer will work with a Dell OME XP Home CD but not with a retail copy. Further, there is no generic Product ID for XP as there was with the Windows 9X family. You will need to see if the pawn shop can provide a Product ID. Dell will not be able to help you, nor will Microsoft.
667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 01:00
Denny,
The cd i am using is windown xp home edition upgrade version 2002. I purchased the from a pawn shop. It was working at the store desktop was visible. I do not believe these to items went together. (cd and computer).The sticker on the computer says windows xp home edition. I don't know the year.
I carefully checked for 8 - B etc. code is correct.
Thanks for response.
Rainh2o
667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 01:00
Can you tell me where i can obtain this ome xp home cd?? Can I unplug computer at this point since it will not let me shut down from the on/off button? It will not let me exit from setup.667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 15:00
Sad to say, it did not come in a box. It was packed in with all the books, etc. No box with codes.667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 15:00
The Works product activation key on the box the suite came in is the one you use. You should have saved the box or at least copied the code. It was on the MS sticker of authenticity on the box back. Look for it again. If you can't find it, you can upgrade to Office 2003 in the Student-teacher edition for about $100.667
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 19:00
How about the envelopes the cd's came in? Just go thru all the stuff and see if you can come up with it. Think about the upgrade I mentioned, you'll be able to uninstall the whole Works Suite and have a much better Office suite.126
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Posted July 27th, 2006 02:00
Well, I finally got the problem solved. Went to the Dell Support Chat and they gave me a code and it is now working.
Denny Denham
2 Intern
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18798 Posts
670
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Posted July 23rd, 2006 00:00
Is the CD you are using a Dell OEM CD, and is it the same edition (Home or Profssional) that was originally installed on the computer?
Dell CD's do not normally prompt for a Product ID. In the rare cases where they have been reported to do so, users faced with rejected codes are advised to make sure that they are entering the code correctly from the sticker and not substituting B for 8 or 0 for O.