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Windows XP activation problem

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  • 23-06-2012 11:24am
    #1
    aidan24326
    Registered Users Posts: 5,925 ✭✭✭


    I'm getting a message asking me to activate Windows.

    I can't read the Product Key from the sticker on my computer as it's faded, and I don't have the original documentation as it's a second hand laptop.

    I tried downloading a keyfinder program which gave me a product key but upon entering I get a message saying 'incorrect product key'.

    It tells me I must activate within 1 day.

    Why would it ask me to do this? (laptop is a few years old and it's a genuine version of XP that I've been using for the past 2 years) Anybody know what can I do? Thanks.
    Tagged:


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    #2
    chin_grin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,808 ✭✭✭✭chin_grin


    Did you install any updates recently?

    The windows genuine advantage would have checked if you were running a valid copy.

    Seeing that this was second hand I'm a bit wary that the copy wasn't activated then (it should have still given the 30 day notification to do so).

    Can you contact the person who sold it to you?


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    #3
    antocann
    Registered Users Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭antocann


    http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/


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    #4
    aidan24326
    Registered Users Posts: 5,925 ✭✭✭aidan24326


    chin_grin wrote: »
    Did you install any updates recently?

    The windows genuine advantage would have checked if you were running a valid copy.

    Seeing that this was second hand I'm a bit wary that the copy wasn't activated then (it should have still given the 30 day notification to do so).

    Can you contact the person who sold it to you?


    I may have installed updates, can't remember. But the laptop I have is several years old so why would it be askiung me to do this now? I've had it for 2 years and been running XP without any problem. And I'm not sure if it would be possible to contact the original owner, was a friend of a friend kind of thing.

    antocann wrote: »
    http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

    That's the keyfinder program I used. I downloaded it and it gave me a key so I thought grand that's it sorted, but when I enter the key it gave me it says incorrect product key. I tried again and was careful to enter all characters correctly but same result.


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    #5
    antocann
    Registered Users Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭antocann


    if its giving you the wrong key , i think the windows on it wasnt genuine


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