Windows XP product ID

Matt27[lt]

I was asked by a friend to re-install his PC with windows XP professional. Problem is, he could not find the original CD, he is not even sure if it came with a CD. Yesterday I used SW "ProduKey" to extract licence key for his windows xp and office2003. Everything looked fine and the key was accepted during installation, but when I tried to confirm it after, it did not pass a Genuine Windows Check. What have I done wrong? Maybe used windows XP with a different "Product ID" (not the same as a licence key). Changed it (Product ID) in the registry to be the same as it was in previous installation, still a no-go. Google did not help, so I am asking You for any ideas. Do I have to find a the original windows xp CD the PC came with (maybe hard to do it)?

jibbajabba

Well .... try to google that key ... there is the possibility that your friend used a key which was found on the web. Back in the days there were a lot of volume license keys floating around (which doesn't require activation) and as a result Microsoft has banned a lot of the keys and you won't be able to re-activate

Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows

Most companies even had to re-activate most of the XP machines and received new volume license keys (including us)

Matt27[lt]

It is very unlikely he used a win xp key from internet because:
1. He is not IT savvy and cannot install Office suite, let alone entire OS.
2. Win XP and Office suite came pre-installed from the store and it was never re-installed from then (3 years, ouch).
3. It passed windows genuine notification before OS re-install.

I'm thinking maybe I've messed up Win Xp versions (OEM vs. Retail)? Maybe it has something with this?

I going to try to activate windows by phone, maybe it will pass.

Asif Dasl

Yep it's probably an OEM key, the only way to reinstall is by using an OEM disc. You might be able to install using the code but the Windows Activation will see that the code does not match the version installed. As you have already found out. See if you can find a copy of an OEM disc for the same manufacturer of the PC it should work then... at worst see if the place the sold it has a copy of the discs

Povilas

Generally, if you try to use OEM key on Retail install media, you wouldn't be able to continue setup, because it rejects key. I would guess that it may be result of fact that once XP were activated while using one service pack (for example - SP2), and now you try to activate SP1 or SP3. This may recognised as different products by activation service, I had several issues when after updating old system with new service pack WGA kicked in and start screaming about software not being genuine. I can't remember how exactly problem was solved, but call to MS wouldn't hurt.

By the way: Windows OEM products must have sticker with key attached to PC. Is there any?