XP Home Liscence not working?

[Jay]

I'm trying to reinstall WinXP home on my parents CompaQ laptop (HD died and they cannot find the original disk).

I tried installing a WinXP Home Upgrade, but the CD-Key on the bottom of the laptop didn't work. I then tried installing a WinXP Home OEM version from a XP 9in1 disk, and still it will not take the CD-Key. Does major brands have their own cd-key range that can only be used with versions created for them?

TIA.

 

[wanderer27]

Microsoft de-activated the Online activation.

When you try to activate it, you should get a long string of numbers. You'll need to call Microsoft and give these numbers to them.

The Auto-Activate feature on the MS system won't work either (I've done this with three different Systems), so you're going to have to do this with a MS rep.

 

[Jay]

I called the activation, followed the steps and it finally said it couldn't help me, said something about anti-virus and then said goodbye. Dissapointed with the assistance from MS.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Jay
I tried installing a WinXP Home Upgrade, but the CD-Key on the bottom of the laptop didn't work.

I called the activation, followed the steps and it finally said it couldn't help me, said something about anti-virus and then said goodbye. Dissapointed with the assistance from MS.

That because you are trying to use an OEM key on a retail upgrade product. The product keys are not universal. You need to acquire an OEM copy of XP Home or Pro, dependent on the COA of course. No need to blame MS for your mistake.

 

[sharad]

Different editions of Windows have different key series.

MSDN keys don't work with OEM cds.
OEM key won't work in CD that was purchased as a retail box.

Call Compaq tech support they can send you an install CD at a small charge.

 

[Jay]

Originally posted by: John

That because you are trying to use an OEM key on a retail upgrade product. The product keys are not universal. You need to acquire an OEM copy of XP Home or Pro, dependent on the COA of course. No need to blame MS for your mistake.

Realized I was trying to use the retail version off of the 9 in 1 cd, reinstalled with OEM version and called MS, got through to a rep (obviously a position sent offshore) and finally got an activation code. Thanks for the guidance. And yes, it was my misunderstanding (aka mistake).