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phase120v

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21 years ago

P

phase120v

36 Posts

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8499

September 14th, 2005 01:00

Invalid product key

A few weeks ago i had to reinstall windows xp pro.All went fine.In fact my system runs better now than ever.I entered my product key when I did the install a few weeks ago.Now today my system is asking me to activate and register windows?!So I entered the key as I did a few weeks ago and it is telling me it is invalid??Why is this happening?I would appreciate any help!I looked on the forum and found a few items but not my situation.
  • jmwills

    2 Intern

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    Posted September 14th, 2005 02:00

    How are you activating?  Over the internet or by phone?
  • phase120v

    36 Posts

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    Posted September 14th, 2005 08:00

    i am activating via the internet
  • jmwills

    2 Intern

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    Posted September 14th, 2005 13:00

    I think all activation must occur over the phone now.
  • bhjmdu

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    Posted September 27th, 2005 00:00

    Hey did that work for you? I bought a used laptop awhile back which came with out the recovery cd and had to install Reinstall windows. I barrowed my friends xp disc (thinking it wasn't a big deal) and entered my COA. A screen kept poping up saying it was invalid. I ended up having to take it to a laptop repair place where they reinstalled it. Well, I've come to that point again, accept this time I bought a new hard drive. I also bought a disc off of XPdisc.com which stated it would work correctly and again it's not. I really don't want to spend another 75$ to have some guy install a program.
    -Ben
  • jmwills

    2 Intern

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    Posted September 27th, 2005 02:00

    How did a third party install your XP program for you if you had an invalid product key?
  • bhjmdu

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    Posted September 27th, 2005 03:00

    If you're talking to me, I don't know but they got it to work. And I DON'T have an INVALID product key. My key (COA) IS valid hence the question of why is it rejecting my key?

    -Ben

  • parkerti

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    Posted September 28th, 2005 00:00

    bhjmdu:

    It may have something to do with a recent Windows XP software upgrade. If you do have a valid COA just call Microsoft and they will activate it right away. They will ask you about your system purchase, etc. Also how many systems the OS is installed on, but if you are using it on the original system and only on that one, and posess a valid COA you will have no problem. 5 minute process at most.

    Message Edited by parkerti on 09-27-2005 09:11 PM

  • jmwills

    2 Intern

    11984 Posts

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    Posted September 28th, 2005 01:00

    what I was asking is if the shop used your key or another key. One such as a volume license key.
  • Denny Denham

    2 Intern

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    Posted September 28th, 2005 01:00

    bhjmdu,

    Hey did that work for you? I bought a used laptop awhile back which came with out the recovery cd and had to install Reinstall windows. I barrowed my friends xp disc (thinking it wasn't a big deal) and entered my COA. If the disk was not a Dell OEM CD you would have to use the COA associated with the disk then change it to your COA before activation. A screen kept poping up saying it was invalid. I ended up having to take it to a laptop repair place where they reinstalled it. The shop either installed it and used your COA before activation, used a volume license (as jmwills suggested), or used a Dell OEM CD which installed a pre-activated installation. Well, I've come to that point again, accept this time I bought a new hard drive. I also bought a disc off of XPdisc.com which stated it would work correctly and again it's not. I really don't want to spend another 75$ to have some guy install a program. For less than $100 you can get an OEM copy of Windows XP Home from here.

  • bhjmdu

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    Posted September 29th, 2005 04:00

    what I was asking is if the shop used your key or another key. One such as a volume license key.

    I have no Idea, I didn't ask (but I should've). Also it's professional and I don't want to pay for something I already have a legal licence too (i'm a college student and my current funds are dedicated to rent and food if you know what I'm saying) so 250$ for a full install and new COA are out of the question.

    Also thanks for all the replys :)

    So should I give Microsoft a call or am I skrewed? I worry about telling them I ordered it from XPdisc.com (even though that website say's they're disc is legal as long as you have the COA) Microsoft will find a way to blam them.

    -Ben