[BIG DCS]

Hi,

Trying to repair a PC using XP Pro CD and when typing in the licence key I am told that it is not valid !!

I have checked the sticker on the side of the PC and I have input the right characters, so I am now getting nowhere.

I have seen in the past a phone number to call Microsoft to get a new key after a system crash, but of course I do not have it to hand.

Can anyone help with a solution, or of course the phone number ???

[Advertisements]

Are you sure the licence key on the sticker refers to the same Windows version you're trying to install? (XP Home key, for example, isn't valid for installing XP Pro, and vice versa).

Contact number depends whether you're calling from within US or within UK.

For UK: http://www.contact-n...ntact=Microsoft

Don't know US numbers.

[phillipcorcoran]

Are you sure the licence key on the sticker refers to the same Windows version you're trying to install? (XP Home key, for example, isn't valid for installing XP Pro, and vice versa).

Contact number depends whether you're calling from within US or within UK.

For UK: http://www.contact-n...ntact=Microsoft

Don't know US numbers.

[calvert]

is the licence key for xp pro ?,

did the pc have xp pre-installed (oem) ?

is the key for xp pro or xp pro sp2 ? - is the disk the same version ?

the key needs to match the version of xp it is for,

eg - an xp home key will not work on xp pro, a pre-installed key will not work on xp media centre

[Alzeimer]

With all the reasons already given can be why your key is not valid these reasons might apply or not to your situation.

1- If an oem version have you change your motherboard.

2- If an oem was the PC case ever change and the present sticker does not apply to your equipment.

When an oem we should always verify our product key (when windows is working) and verify that it matches with the sticker on the case, preventing a mixed up (human error) prior to you acquiring the Pc/laptop.

[BIG DCS]

Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

I will go away and try everything I can think of now and report back - probably tomorrow now.

Again thanks to you guys.

[SpywareDr]

Microsoft > You receive an error message after you enter the product key when you try to install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310637

Microsoft Activation Centers Worldwide Telephone Numbers
http://www.microsoft...on-centers.aspx

Microsoft > Product Activation Solution Center
http://support.micro...ws=support#tab0

[BIG DCS]

Hi Guys,

Well numpty comes to mind !!!!!

I was using XP CD with SP2 instead of SP3.

Apologies all round and thanks for the help.

Dave

[SpywareDr]

No problem. Thanks for posting back.