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Windows Xp Pro

geokilla

Platinum Member
Microsoft has done it again....

I have a genuine Windows Pro Product Key (OEM). I updated my Windows product key using the Update tool from Microsoft's site. I type in my new product key and it says my Windows is genuine. Yay!

My computer crashes so I had to use Norton Ghost to restore my computer. I tried updating my product key again, but it says that my product key is already in use. I called Microsoft Tech support, talked with them for like 5 hours and they were of no help. So is there any way for me to use this genuine product key?
 
If you have OEM license paper, send a fax to microsoft and complain the dissatisfaction. OR talk to someone who knows what they are doing with the genuine softwares!?!
Good luck! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: geokilla
I called Microsoft Tech support, talked with them for like 5 hours and they were of no help.
I'm curious. After five hours, what reason did Microsoft give you for not allowing you to activate? Historically, MS has been pretty lenient about this stuff.

From your initial description, is sounds like you started with a "non-Genuine" version of XP, and then paid Microsoft the $150 to "make it Genuine"?
 
Microsoft didn't give me a reason. My genuine product key came from my other computer that my mom got from her work. The product key used to work on my new computer, but then after I restored it, it says my product key has already been used or is in use. I don't have any OEM papers or anything like that. All I have is the OEM certificate of authenticity. I have a "non-Genuine" CD of XP but the product key that I'm trying to use is genuine.
 
It sounds like you need a new OEM CD and a new license. You're not supposed to re-use the one off the other computer, not even if it isn't installed on that computer anymore. Microsoft's Do's and Don'ts for OEM licenses.

Fortunately, they made lots more of them, and you can easily get one from Newegg.com.

You could also opt for the $280 retail-boxed version. The license is different for retail-boxed versions, they are allowed to be moved off of one computer onto another one. You can even sell them off without the computer when you're done with them. But at this point, if you're going to spend the $$$ for a retail-boxed version of Windows, wait for Windows Vista due out January 30th.
 
they should get you going again. With vista coming out soon, they are getting more leaniant with xp licencing. (should be anyway)

i had a retail version i bought 3 years ago.

reinstalled it the other day and it said it was being used. (couldnt activate)

called the indian chick on the phone and voila!
 
Great...So I'm forced to either buy a new Windows XP disk or continue using my "non-Genuine" Windows?

Does Newegg ship to Canada? I think I remember reading somewhere on the site saying that Newegg doesn't ship to Canada.

My OEM product key is now useless right?
 
Originally posted by: geokilla
Great...So I'm forced to either buy a new Windows XP disk or continue using my "non-Genuine" Windows?

Does Newegg ship to Canada? I think I remember reading somewhere on the site saying that Newegg doesn't ship to Canada.
You can get one from Canada-based NCIX:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...68&vpn=E85-04914&manufacture=Microsoft

Keep in mind that OEM versions must stay with the computer you activate them on FOREVAR. If you don't want that restriction, don't buy OEM, buy retail instead.

Another get-me-by solution, if your system has a 64-bit CPU, would be to download a free 120-day trial of Windows XP Pro x64 Edition from Microsoft's site, and use that for the short term while you wait for Vista to become available. Then just buy Vista and be done with it.
 
Woops...I think I posted this in the wrong thread.....It should've been under the OS thread.... 😱
 
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