Re: Invalid Product Key

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

From: D.Currie (dmbcurrie.nospam_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 08/03/04 

Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 16:42:06 -0600

"jdf2525" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:bc7b01c479a0$188a94c0$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> I needed to reinstall WinXP on my wife's Gateway laptop,
> but we've lost the Gateway restore CD. OK, I'll just use
> my retail WinXP CD & the product key from the laptop. I
> checked, retyped, rechecked, reretyped .... still "Invalid
> Product Key". So I used the key off the retail box.
> Obviously can't activate with a used product key. Gateway
> says I'm "SOL". Is there any way to activate XP with the
> OEM Product Key or am I truly out the price of an XP license?
>
> thanks in advance
>
> jdf
>

Retail and OEM keys aren't interchangeable. You're either going to have to
get a replacement from Gateway, buy a generic OEM CD, or buy another retail
CD.

In my experience, the OEMs are usually pretty good about replacing their
restore CDs. You might get charged for shipping or something, but it's
nowhere near the cost of a new version of the OS.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: How to change activation code from retail to OEM?
    ... CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are ... An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full ... I couldn't get the OEM CD to install the OS ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: How to change activation code from retail to OEM?
    ... CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are ... An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full ... I couldn't get the OEM CD to install the OS ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Repair Install
    ... The keys are not on the CD, but they are specific to the TYPE of media, meaning you cannot use an OEM key with retail media, if you try a repair install using your retail media with the OEM key from the Compaq, it will tell you the key is not valid. ... install cd I use as long as I key in the appropriate Product Key? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: OEM Quagmire
    ... One cannot use a "Retail Product Key" with an "OEM" CD ... Your friend can return his XP Pro version to Microsoft ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: replacement product key for XP
    ... If it was an OEM (factory ... To recover a lost Product Key: ... If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase: ... I bought a refurbished Gateway MX6124 just last year. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)