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Ok, seriously, screw M$.

U

Udel

Senior member
I've always been generally supportive of Microsoft. But this is too much.

Some of you may remember from before I was trying to help a friend with his computer before. So, as I'm reinstalling XP Pro, it tells me his CD key is not valid. Which, can't be, the key is perfectly valid. So I give them a call, and after waiting hours on hold they confirm that the CD key is valid. But, without Compaq's specific repair CD, my key won't be accepted by the installation wizard. WTH? :| I know in all the times I re-installed XP on my PC the cd does not matter one bit. The key itself does not matter half the time.. there are hundreds of cracks.

Since when do you need the manufacturer's specific CD to re-install Windows? How does this combat piracy? You either have a valid CD or you don't, why be a pain in my ass a require some vendor specific CD?

Edit: Thanks for clearing the OEM thing up. It is still frusterating to no end to have a valid copy of XP, a valid cd key for XP, but you can't get XP up and running. Oh well, I'll have to tell this kid to call compaq.
 
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Because microsoft eats babies. Please continue hating them because your opinion matters
Click to expand...

What logic does it make? I support combating piracy. If they tell me "yea, that is a valid key", why on earth does the disk I am using matter?
 
You were probably foolish enough to tell microsoft exactly what you were doing and that you were working on a compaq laptop and trying to install winxp with your own disc.

I would call Microsoft back and just tell them that you have the compaq cd and it's still not working... see what they say.

You may also beable to call compaq for a copy of their install cd.
 
Originally posted by: Udel
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Because microsoft eats babies. Please continue hating them because your opinion matters
Click to expand...

What logic does it make? I support combating piracy. If they tell me "yea, that is a valid key", why on earth does the disk I am using matter?
Click to expand...

see my above post....
 
Originally posted by: Udel
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Because microsoft eats babies. Please continue hating them because your opinion matters
Click to expand...

What logic does it make? I support combating piracy. If they tell me "yea, that is a valid key", why on earth does the disk I am using matter?
Click to expand...

Because valid OEM keys only work with OEM discs, and valid retail keys only work with retail discs.
 
Originally posted by: lytalbayre
You were probably foolish enough to tell microsoft exactly what you were doing and that you were working on a compaq laptop and trying to install winxp with your own disc.

I would call Microsoft back and just tell them that you have the compaq cd and it's still not working... see what they say.

You may also beable to call compaq for a copy of their install cd.
Click to expand...

Yea, exept I wan't that foolish. They called me on it and made me read what the CD I was using had written on it.
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Udel
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Because microsoft eats babies. Please continue hating them because your opinion matters
Click to expand...

What logic does it make? I support combating piracy. If they tell me "yea, that is a valid key", why on earth does the disk I am using matter?
Click to expand...

see my above post....
Click to expand...
I understand why if doesn't work. It does not explain the logic behind it. Combat piracy till you are blue in the face, fine. But when you make it a pain in the ass for a paying customer just to get up and running thats when you cross the line.
 
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Sounds like a Compaq problem... not a MS problem.
Click to expand...

Its Windows, its a MS problem. They are going out of their way to force me to use a spefic vendor's disk. Why do they care so long as I have a valid CD key and proof of purchase?
 
Originally posted by: Udel
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Sounds like a Compaq problem... not a MS problem.
Click to expand...

Its Windows, its a MS problem. They are going out of their way to force me to use a spefic vendor's disk. Why do they care so long as I have a valid CD key and proof of purchase?
Click to expand...

Because chances are the compag had home edition and you are trying to install pro?
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Udel
Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Sounds like a Compaq problem... not a MS problem.
Click to expand...

Its Windows, its a MS problem. They are going out of their way to force me to use a spefic vendor's disk. Why do they care so long as I have a valid CD key and proof of purchase?
Click to expand...

Because chances are the compag had home edition and you are trying to install pro?
Click to expand...

Nope, would have mentioned that. Came with pro, valid pro CD key.
 
Originally posted by: Udel
Its Windows, its a MS problem. They are going out of their way to force me to use a spefic vendor's disk. Why do they care so long as I have a valid CD key and proof of purchase?
Click to expand...

You don't have to use a Compaq disk. You can use any OEM XP CD.

I have a 6-in-1 XP CD that I use for that purpose...it has Home and Pro, in Retail, OEM, and Corporate editions. That way I can install a fresh copy of XP on a person's computer, using THEIR key, no matter what kind of license they have.
 
HEre's the problem man...

OEM PIDs will not work on NON-OEM CDs......

and Vice Versa.......

OEM CDs will not work non-oem PIDS....

It's to protect corporations that have special keys that work on any retail CD......

It's also to prevent you from selling your CD to other people.....
 
Originally posted by: PurdueRy
OEM License
Click to expand...


FTW. Compaq gets a HUGE discount on the software which they (presumably) pass on to you. You did not purchase a full license, what's to keep you from installing your OEM software on a home build?
 
Originally posted by: Udel
Originally posted by: lytalbayre
You were probably foolish enough to tell microsoft exactly what you were doing and that you were working on a compaq laptop and trying to install winxp with your own disc.

I would call Microsoft back and just tell them that you have the compaq cd and it's still not working... see what they say.

You may also beable to call compaq for a copy of their install cd.
Click to expand...

Yea, exept I wan't that foolish. They called me on it and made me read what the CD I was using had written on it.
Click to expand...


Of course they did, people lie all of the time when they call in for tech support and expect the tech to be able to magically fix their problem. Anyways there was some good advice in the above post, call compaq they'll be happy to send you a new disk.
 
Originally posted by: Udel

I know in all the times I re-installed XP on my PC the cd does not matter one bit. The key itself does not matter half the time.. there are hundreds of cracks.
Click to expand...

Obviously you don't know WTF you're talking about then.

Get yourself an OEM disc & the key should work fine.

Viper GTS
 
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