Original XP code but lost the Disk?

ssmacc · 14 Jan 2009 at 15:37

A friend of mine has a laptop and needed to re-install windows, he has a original XP code but has lost his disk…I lent him my copy of XP SP3 which he installed but is unable to activate it as Microsoft say the code is not valid (it’s a genuine key) as part of the 'Change Product Key'. The message says that this code is not recognised and that I should contact the seller?

I suspect it may be because his version of XP was likely to be a SP1 or SP2 edition? He has a genuine key buy cannot activate XP by using it…

Any thoughts/help?

harris1986 · 14 Jan 2009 at 15:44

what version of xp was he using? i.e. home/pro/media edition etc?

Seaniboy · 14 Jan 2009 at 15:47

If he has the COA then just select activate over phone and then just ring microsoft.

alle · 14 Jan 2009 at 16:39

...He'll have to use a disk that corresponds with his version. Which probably isn't sp3.

Seaniboy · 14 Jan 2009 at 17:05

SP's should make no difference along with what media is used. As long as the version of XP on the media was the correct one for his serial i.e OEM, VLK, Retail etc... Which i assum it was becuase other wise the install would not have accepted the serial. Then just phone up microsoft to activate.

Brian Stuart · 14 Jan 2009 at 17:36

Seaniboy said:
SP's should make no difference along with what media is used. As long as the version of XP on the media was the correct one for his serial i.e OEM, VLK, Retail etc... Which i assum it was becuase other wise the install would not have accepted the serial. Then just phone up microsoft to activate.

This is correct. As long as the media matches the serial key OEM/Retail etc then it will install and work.SP's do not affect the activation process. The problem may be if it is a Dell disk in which case you would have to use the "change product key" facility and type in the key on the laptop. Should work then.
What is your media?

Meatball · 14 Jan 2009 at 17:56

Just phone Microsoft and activate it using the automated system you'll be fine

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alle · 14 Jan 2009 at 18:36

...Not in my experience. Sp2 disk wouldn't get past product key input with an Sp1 COA let alone get to activation. Use an Sp1 disk and it sails through.

So maybe they should make no difference but sometimes they do

Priapus · 14 Jan 2009 at 19:38

alle said:
...Not in my experience. Sp2 disk wouldn't get past product key input with an Sp1 COA let alone get to activation. Use an Sp1 disk and it sails through.

So maybe they should make no difference but sometimes they do

As above, I've had this too a few times.

Burnsy2023 · 14 Jan 2009 at 19:39

Ice On Fire said:
As above, I've had this too a few times.

It's probable that the disc used was from an OEM who have their own product key pool.

ssmacc · 14 Jan 2009 at 22:12

Thanks for the replies, I'll check the version first as i gave him 'Pro' and he may have had Home or even a OEM etc.

Cheers

Meatball · 14 Jan 2009 at 22:16

Is your version of pro retail? If his computer was bought it would have come with a OEM in which case that's your problem

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