URGENT- Invalid Code- Retail XP Home Upgrade (last day to replace at store-maybe)

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

I got a Windows XP SP2 Home Upgrade- *Retail*. for one of our two homebuilt
PCs, that will soon be partially upgraded. It was the next to last day to
return
it, so I had to check it for defects. (Actually, their policy isn't even
clear that they would replace it. And I usually read policies carefully.)

I bought it from an office super store.
It looks factory sealed to me. The CD looks fine. I attempted a clean
install,
as usual. (The other PC has another copy of WinXP)

If installed successfully, I know I would then have 30 days to use it w/o
activating; in the meantime I would have the PC upgraded, and then could
re-install it and activate.

I get 'The CD Key which you entered is invalid'. And I read MS's article
about this before asking. No, I am not misreading the letters/numbers. I
even had someone else double check it. I made settings changes in the BIOS
regarding it's virus checker and others.

Maybe a typo on the ID sticker on the back of the folder. So, maybe I need a
new key?
How is the wait time with MS phones?
A defective CD or CD-ROM drive?

*I haven't found anyone else having this error for a new retail install. I
am an experienced builder, so I am perplexed with this.
My luck, for testing, it might be just this old PC being problematic.Maybe,
when the PC is upgraded it might be fine, but who knows.

I was thinking of trying MS for a new key. If key fails, try for a new CD
from the vendor. If not, get MS to replace the CD.

Thanks,
QZ




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Relevant Pages

  • Re: URGENT- Invalid Code- Retail XP Home Upgrade (last day to replace at store-maybe)
    ... > PCs, that will soon be partially upgraded. ... so I had to check it for defects. ... > *I haven't found anyone else having this error for a new retail install. ...
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