Invalid windows key?

cozm01 · 16 Mar 2006 at 00:41

I reformatted my laptop and reinstalled Windows XP using a XP cd I had for my PC. During installation I could not enter the Windows xp cd key that is stuck to side of laptop, I could only use the key which come with the XP disk. So I installed and everything went fine..

but now I can't update to SP2, it says my key is invalid.. any clues? perhaps a program to enter the key on side of laptop exsists?

cozm01 · 16 Mar 2006 at 01:56

update: I found a way to re-enter product key, but it still saying its invalid!.. even though I have authentic sticker on side of laptop with product key.

bledd · 16 Mar 2006 at 02:52

if its a legit copy, ring microsoft and they'll sort you out

Vegetarian · 16 Mar 2006 at 02:56

You need to contact Microsoft - someone my have stollen your key - if the key is regested to you - you will have no problem!

Other than that you can slipstream SP2 into your current copy of windows and still use ** exsisting key... you still wont be able to download updates from microsoft - but will have a working copy of winXP SP2

Get phoning to Microsoft!

AtreuS · 16 Mar 2006 at 14:03

cozm01 said:
I reformatted my LAPTOP and reinstalled Windows XP using a XP cd I had for my PC.

Therein lies your problem. The disc you have used from your pc isnt the same as the OEM used to do the laptop install. The desktop pc's cd wont recognise the code from the laptop as its a different OEM version. Microsoft may help but dont count on it. The only version you are licensed to use on the laptop is the one the OEM installed, not the cd you have with your other pc.

PinkPig · 16 Mar 2006 at 14:15

You should probably contact your laptop manufacturer and see if they can supply you with a way of restoring your old version of windows.

Slam62 · 16 Mar 2006 at 16:36

yeah, what happened to the cd for the laptop,
if the'pc' copy is oem then it wont let you use it if its on the pc or was on the pc when it was last activated, so you have to phone ms and say something to persuade them to let you use it. But you can only use it on one machine.

Have fuuuunnn

ShakenNstirred · 16 Mar 2006 at 18:45

Slam62 said:
yeah, what happened to the cd for the laptop,
if the'pc' copy is oem then it wont let you use it if its on the pc or was on the pc when it was last activated, so you have to phone ms and say something to persuade them to let you use it. But you can only use it on one machine.

Have fuuuunnn

not so.
any OEM disk will work on the laptop , as long as you have the OEM key that came with the laptop.
its the key that is specific to the laptop not the disk.
it would cost M$ to much money to have every disk tied to just 1 key.
so they have it that the OEM disk just checks that the key is a valid OEM key.
that why you cant use a retail XP disk with a OEM key or vise verser

chex · 16 Mar 2006 at 19:46

what does an invalid key have anything to do with sp2

O.o

Ive downloaded and installed SP2 plenty of times on unactivated windows installs.

Ry@n · 16 Mar 2006 at 19:51

Thought laptops had recovery CD's, best to use them really.

That way you cant go wrong ? Just phone the laptop maufacturer and get a new set if you dot have any.
Ry

AtreuS · 17 Mar 2006 at 10:19

ShakenNstirred said:
not so.
any OEM disk will work on the laptop , as long as you have the OEM key that came with the laptop.
its the key that is specific to the laptop not the disk.
it would cost M$ to much money to have every disk tied to just 1 key.
so they have it that the OEM disk just checks that the key is a valid OEM key.
that why you cant use a retail XP disk with a OEM key or vise verser

Sorry but not true. There are different versions of the OEM disk too. There are also versions called "volume editions" to be used by certain companies and schools etc. Ive installed hundreds of windows xp on various machines and i can assure you that "any OEM xp will work with any OEM code" simply is not true. There are numerous versions of the OEM install disk out there and they all use different sets of keys depending on their age and type.

Its likely his laptop key is one from a specific type of OEM distro or even one thats specific to the latop company Eg sony etc.
If he can proveto microsoft thats the code on his laptop is genuine then they will very likely give him a new key to enter to be able to activate it.

Also most, not all, but most versions of the oem install dont need to be activated online. Some do and some dont... more proof that there is more than one type out there. Usually a big OEM like sony will preactivate their installs of xp. So sometimes even if you can get the install disc to use your code its very possible for the online validation to see a difference between the disc you have used and the code you have used and flag it up as an invalid install. Ive seen this on several occasions.

leezer3 · 17 Mar 2006 at 10:42

Yup. The laptop key will be a SLP (System Load Preinstall) key, and will not be able to be entered into any retail or OEM disk.
Additionally to this, I'm afraid he's very unlikely to get support from M$- Too many people were taking these from the bottom of laptops and selling them on, as SLP installs don't need activation, and they disabled these keys full-stop.

-Leezer-

Jeff90 · 17 Mar 2006 at 11:35

Keys

Another thing I discoverd with my toshiba is that the key in the pre-installed image file is not the same as the one on the back of the computer. I used jellybean keyfinder to look at this.