Re: XP PRO product key "invalid"

Nickolas wrote:
i just bought a hp laptop it came with no OS however did come with a XP pro product key i obtained a XP cd and it will not accept the product key i have spoken to hp they told me to call microsoft then the call to microsoft said i should write to these series of posts please help me out : ) nick




Did you use the Product Key that was affixed to the bottom of the HP laptop? If so, did you use an OEM CD provided by HP? If the answer to the first question is "yes," and the answer to the second question is "No," then what you're seeing is perfectly normal.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An Upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD/license types cannot be mixed & matched.

Your options:

1) Obtain a replacement installation CD from HP, and use the Product Key affixed to the laptop.

2) Obtain a generic OEM installation CD (or copy thereof), and use the Product Key affixed to the laptop.

3) Purchase a new full (OEM or retail) license of WinXP.

4) Install another operating system.



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Bruce Chambers

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Relevant Pages

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