Windows licence confusion

Tom Dunne

I have a four year old laptop that I am wiping and re-installing for a friend. I can't find the original Windows disc, so I am using a Windows Home CD that came with my PC. I typed in the legitimate windows product key from the sticker on the bottom of the laptop, but Windows activation is failing, saying it's an incorrect product key.

Any ideas what is going wrong here?

Just to clarify, the Windows code is accepted as valid, it only fails when it goes to the internet to active Windows.

Karoma

Is the CD that you used OEM?

The hardware config has changed since he last activated it, maybe?

TouchingVirus

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I have a four year old laptop that I am wiping and re-installing for a friend. I can't find the original Windows disc, so I am using a Windows Home CD that came with my PC. I typed in the legitimate windows product key from the sticker on the bottom of the laptop, but Windows activation is failing, saying it's an incorrect product key.

Any ideas what is going wrong here?

Just to clarify, the Windows code is accepted as valid, it only fails when it goes to the internet to active Windows.

Automatic Activation fails when you've used it too many times.

Save some heartache and choose to phone a representative. You will generate an "installation ID" and will see 6 boxes to put in a validation code. Then call 1800 930 031 and follow instructions.

If the automated service doesn't verify windows then wait and you'll be put through to a customer service rep who will take the last 8 digits of your installation ID and will validate your install.

They'll ask questions like if you've installed windows on another machine with the same license code (No, obviously) and why are you reinstalling ("new hardware, I had to format etc).

Then they'll give you A-F and let you on your way

AlmightyCushion

I don't see why that isn't working. I did something like this recently. I installed xp on a friends packard bell using my xp disk that came with my parents dell desktop.

It worked fine but I didn't use the internet activation (I didn't have the drivers for the ethernet card and they were a bítch to get). I used the option to ring an operator for activation. Try that it might work. You get through to some robot that asks you to enter the installation id (i think thats what it called) and they give you back a confirmation code. You enter that and hit next.

Tom Dunne

Karoma wrote: »

Is the CD that you used OEM?

Hmmm, dunno. How do I find that out? The XP CD says it's for distribution with a new PC only - does that make it an OEM CD?

Karoma wrote: »

The hardware config has changed since he last activated it, maybe?

I've changed the hard-drive all right, but I did that over two years ago (damn HP laptops) and have had Windows successfully running since then, with the one activation code.

I'm going to try a Dell Windows XP CD I have lying around here. I know I used it to install on a different laptop, which works fine now.

TouchingVirus

Tom Dunne wrote: »

Hmmm, dunno. How do I find that out? The XP CD says it's for distribution with a new PC only - does that make it an OEM CD?



I've changed the hard-drive all right, but I did that over two years ago (damn HP laptops) and have had Windows successfully running since then, with the one activation code.

I'm going to try a Dell Windows XP CD I have lying around here. I know I used it to install on a different laptop, which works fine now.

It's a waste of your time really. As long as you're getting by the screen which initially asks for your key (halfway through installing) then you should be good to go. If an activation server is down (they have had their problems) then this could cause it.

Just give them a phone call - it's even freephone

Tom Dunne

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Just give them a phone call - it's even freephone

Might just do that.