Invalid Product Key

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 21:07:08 -0700, "Steve" <reletec@aol.com> wrote:

>I attempted to install Service Pack 1after downloading it,
>and I got the error messaage that my product key is
>invalid. This computer originally came with Win 98 (I have
>the original disk and license) and I purchased XP Pro and
>upgraded it myself. I sent an e-mail to
>piracy@microsoft.com as instructed and it was returned
>undeliverable. How can I get a valid product key from
>Microsoft?

Did you purchase your copy of XP pro from a legitimate re-seller? It
appears that you may have an illegal copy which uses a product key
that has been blocked by Microsoft. If that's the case, MS is not
going to send you a product key.

You might want to give MS a call on their Piracy Hot line and report
the seller to them. But if that copy is illegal, you'll have no
other choice but to purchase a legal copy if you wish to keep it
updated.

Steve wrote:

> attempted to install Service Pack 1after downloading it,
>and I got the error messaage that my product key is
>invalid. This computer originally came with Win 98 (I have
>the original disk and license) and I purchased XP Pro and
>upgraded it myself.

A lot of copies have been put out by unscrupulous parties - often
selling to innocent people - which have used one of a couple of pirated
keys, with no payments going back to Microsoft. Microsoft has
explicitly prevented machines that were installed with these keys from
installing SP1. Check in Control Panel - System for the Product ID
number under your name - if it fits

XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
or
XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX

Where X represents any digit, you have one of these keys. You can
approach the vendor for redress and provision of a legitimate copy,
threatening MSoft legal department - if no satisfaction, you could try a
report of the details to
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/default.asp

--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. Alexn@mvps.org

On Tue, 22 Jul 2003 21:07:08 -0700, "Steve" <reletec@aol.com> wrote::

>I attempted to install Service Pack 1after downloading it,
>and I got the error messaage that my product key is
>invalid. This computer originally came with Win 98 (I have
>the original disk and license) and I purchased XP Pro and
>upgraded it myself. I sent an e-mail to
>piracy@microsoft.com as instructed and it was returned
>undeliverable. How can I get a valid product key from
>Microsoft?

I've got some bad news for you. If it turns out that the copy of XP
Pro that you bought was counterfeit (ie. pirated, with a pirated
product key but it looks legit), you've been screwed out of whatever
you paid for it. Microsoft policy in these instances is the same as
the government's if you found counterfeit money in your wallet. It's
your problem and you won't get re-imbursed for it, but they'll take
down your information so they can investigate the matter.

If you're near the store where you bought it, I'd suggest take it back
and bring along any correspondance from Microsoft supporting your
claim that it's counterfeit. If they refuse, it's time to discuss the
matter with the police. Even without MS involved, the police can deal
with it as a fraud case.
----------------------------------------
Thanks,

MCheu

There have been cases where ledgimate keys got blacklisted by Microsoft. If
you can prove it call Microsoft direct.



"Steve" <reletec@aol.com> wrote in message
news:090201c350cf$e2b65b80$a101280a@phx.gbl...

> I attempted to install Service Pack 1after downloading it,
> and I got the error messaage that my product key is
> invalid. This computer originally came with Win 98 (I have
> the original disk and license) and I purchased XP Pro and
> upgraded it myself. I sent an e-mail to
> piracy@microsoft.com as instructed and it was returned
> undeliverable. How can I get a valid product key from
> Microsoft?

Error Message: The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q326904

--
--------
Paul
--------
www.paulsxp.com
www.paulsxp.com/forums


"Deb" <deblj@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:056601c365f3$241b67e0$a601280a@phx.gbl...

> I have been trying to download the Service Pak. I have
> attempted this several times, as I believe there must be
> a mistake, I receive message that my Product Key is
> Invalid. I have never encountered this before. Also I
> get a message that I have a virus on my computer SpyBot??
> is this connected to the current virus? Last week I did
> the repair and patch for the current virus.

Greetings --

Are you trying to install Service Pack 1 and getting the
following:

The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q326904

You need to purchase and use a legitimate full copy of WinXP Pro
to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the
new CD and Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directo...;EN-US;Q315341

Remember, you should also report whomever sold you the pirated
software to your local law enforcement agency.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Deb" <deblj@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:056601c365f3$241b67e0$a601280a@phx.gbl...

> I have been trying to download the Service Pak. I have
> attempted this several times, as I believe there must be
> a mistake, I receive message that my Product Key is
> Invalid. I have never encountered this before. Also I
> get a message that I have a virus on my computer SpyBot??
> is this connected to the current virus? Last week I did
> the repair and patch for the current virus.

Deb wrote:

>I have been trying to download the Service Pak. I have
>attempted this several times, as I believe there must be
>a mistake, I receive message that my Product Key is
>Invalid.

A lot of copies have been put out by unscrupulous parties - often
selling to innocent people - which have used one of a couple of pirated
keys, with no payments going back to Microsoft. Microsoft has
explicitly prevented machines that were installed with these keys from
installing SP1. Check in Control Panel - System for the Product ID
number under your name - if it fits

XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
or
XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX

Where X represents any digit, you have one of these keys. You can
approach the vendor for redress and provision of a legitimate copy,
threatening MSoft legal department - if no satisfaction, you could try a
report of the details to
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting/default.asp

--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. Alexn@mvps.org