Product Key

Hi

Had to use recovery disk now every time I try and access
windows xp asks me for product key. I put the 25 digit
number in and it does not recognise this. Computer came
with windows on. Only 18 months old. Sticker on side.
Windows is in the background on the screen but will not
let me use it until product key entered. AAAAARRRRGH!!!

You are using the Product Key on the side of the computer?
You are using the original CD that came with the computer?
Product Keys and CDs are not always interchangeable.

Look very closely.
B-8, G-6, I-1, S-5 and others look alike.

Have someone else try, sometimes another set of eyes and fingers can
get it.

Otherwise contact the computer manufacturer.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...oups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"vtrnev" <neville.whiteley@uk.fid-intl.com> wrote in message
news:056501c35237$f93eb0a0$a301280a@phx.gbl...

> Hi
>
> Had to use recovery disk now every time I try and access
> windows xp asks me for product key. I put the 25 digit
> number in and it does not recognise this. Computer came
> with windows on. Only 18 months old. Sticker on side.
> Windows is in the background on the screen but will not
> let me use it until product key entered. AAAAARRRRGH!!!

We have 4 computers in our company. They are older. We
had upgraded them somewhat with memory etc. anf put
Windows XP Professional on them. Now it has become
necessary to purchase faster computers. We are going to
wipe out two of them and replace them. My question is
that when we upgraded them, we're not sure if the right
covers got put on the right systems. I am only replacing
two of them. Is there a way that I can find out what the
product key is on the two I want to replace so that I
might keep my Windows XP Professional program and reload
it on my new system. I know I can contact Microsoft &
reactivate it on the new system. But I need to make sure
that I have the right two numbers. Can you help me?

There is a program that can pull the Product Registration
Codes. I can't remember it and i can't get it off my
system becaue it just died.

But here's an article explaining how to save the .dbl
file and put it on the new computer.

****
Work around Windows XP Product Activation

Have you ever wanted to reinstall Windows XP on a
particular computer but chose not to because you weren't
sure what you'd encounter when it came to Windows Product
Activation (WPA)?
Well, there's no need to be concerned because information
about the current activation is stored in an encrypted
database file named Wpa.dbl, which you can back up and
then restore once you've reinstalled XP. Keep in mind
that this technique allows you only to reinstall XP on
the same computer--it isn't a hack to pirate the OS.
Here's how to back up the Wpa.dbl file:
1. Insert a blank, formatted disk into the floppy
disk drive.
2. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the
C:\Windows\System32 folder.
3. Right-click the Wpa.dbl file and select Send To |
3-1/2 Floppy.
You can then reformat the hard disk and reinstall XP.
Once the installation procedure is complete, follow these
steps to restore the Wpa.dbl file:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Press [F8] when you see the message Please Select
The Operating System To Start.
3. >From the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select
Safe Mode.
4. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the
C:\Windows\System32 folder.
5. Rename the new Wpa.dbl to Wpa.new.
6. Insert the disk that contains the backup into the
floppy disk drive.
7. Copy the Wpa.dbl file from the floppy disk to the
C:\Windows\System32 folder.
8. Restart the computer.
Since you're using the exact copy of XP that was
previously installed, the original Wpa.dbl file will be
accepted, and you won't have to go through all the hassle
of reactivation.

*****

>-----Original Message-----
>We have 4 computers in our company. They are older. We
>had upgraded them somewhat with memory etc. anf put
>Windows XP Professional on them. Now it has become
>necessary to purchase faster computers. We are going to
>wipe out two of them and replace them. My question is
>that when we upgraded them, we're not sure if the right
>covers got put on the right systems. I am only

replacing

>two of them. Is there a way that I can find out what

the

>product key is on the two I want to replace so that I
>might keep my Windows XP Professional program and reload
>it on my new system. I know I can contact Microsoft &
>reactivate it on the new system. But I need to make

sure

>that I have the right two numbers. Can you help me?
>.
>

Gary;
That will only work in very limited circumstances.
It will not work on the same computer if the drive is formatted, much
less a different computer.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...oups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Gary Norton" <gnorton@prucar.com> wrote in message
news:01ba01c3578f$f470f850$a401280a@phx.gbl...

> There is a program that can pull the Product Registration
> Codes. I can't remember it and i can't get it off my
> system becaue it just died.
>
> But here's an article explaining how to save the .dbl
> file and put it on the new computer.
>
> ****
> Work around Windows XP Product Activation
>
> Have you ever wanted to reinstall Windows XP on a
> particular computer but chose not to because you weren't
> sure what you'd encounter when it came to Windows Product
> Activation (WPA)?
> Well, there's no need to be concerned because information
> about the current activation is stored in an encrypted
> database file named Wpa.dbl, which you can back up and
> then restore once you've reinstalled XP. Keep in mind
> that this technique allows you only to reinstall XP on
> the same computer--it isn't a hack to pirate the OS.
> Here's how to back up the Wpa.dbl file:
> 1. Insert a blank, formatted disk into the floppy
> disk drive.
> 2. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the
> C:\Windows\System32 folder.
> 3. Right-click the Wpa.dbl file and select Send To |
> 3-1/2 Floppy.
> You can then reformat the hard disk and reinstall XP.
> Once the installation procedure is complete, follow these
> steps to restore the Wpa.dbl file:
> 1. Restart the computer.
> 2. Press [F8] when you see the message Please Select
> The Operating System To Start.
> 3. >From the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select
> Safe Mode.
> 4. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the
> C:\Windows\System32 folder.
> 5. Rename the new Wpa.dbl to Wpa.new.
> 6. Insert the disk that contains the backup into the
> floppy disk drive.
> 7. Copy the Wpa.dbl file from the floppy disk to the
> C:\Windows\System32 folder.
> 8. Restart the computer.
> Since you're using the exact copy of XP that was
> previously installed, the original Wpa.dbl file will be
> accepted, and you won't have to go through all the hassle
> of reactivation.
>
> *****
>
>

> replacing

> the

> sure

Rose, follow this link:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm
Near the bottom "View Product Key XP"

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...oups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html


"Rose" <omcs@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:007b01c3578a$5f2a31d0$a501280a@phx.gbl...

> We have 4 computers in our company. They are older. We
> had upgraded them somewhat with memory etc. anf put
> Windows XP Professional on them. Now it has become
> necessary to purchase faster computers. We are going to
> wipe out two of them and replace them. My question is
> that when we upgraded them, we're not sure if the right
> covers got put on the right systems. I am only replacing
> two of them. Is there a way that I can find out what the
> product key is on the two I want to replace so that I
> might keep my Windows XP Professional program and reload
> it on my new system. I know I can contact Microsoft &
> reactivate it on the new system. But I need to make sure
> that I have the right two numbers. Can you help me?

when i try to download service pack 1 i get an error
message that my product key is not valid, however, it
doesnt give me a place to put the product key. how to
fix that?

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

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=328874
HOW TO: Change the Volume Licensing Product Key on a Windows XP SP1-Based
Computer

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;303661
How to Uninstall Windows XP and Revert to a Previous Operating System

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;314052
How to Manually Remove Windows XP and Restore Windows 95, Windows 98, or
Windows Millennium

Purchase Windows XP Pro (Win XP Home won't work) and perform a Repair
Installation using the new valid key and CD:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm

"dianer" <mami703@aol.com> wrote in message
news:0ae201c36616$185df3f0$a101280a@phx.gbl...

> when i try to download service pack 1 i get an error
> message that my product key is not valid, however, it
> doesnt give me a place to put the product key. how to
> fix that?

My 13 year old son installed windows xp home edition on
my laptop (IBM Thinkpad) from a cd that came with a Dell
desktop that we purchased recently. Now it does not let
me acces the oparating system. It asks for a product key
and when I type the one for the Dell it does not take it.
Where can I purchase a product key so I can acces my
laptop? or How can I fix this?

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

--
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having both at once. -- RAH


"dianer" <mami703@aol.com> wrote in message
news:0ae201c36616$185df3f0$a101280a@phx.gbl...

> when i try to download service pack 1 i get an error
> message that my product key is not valid, however, it
> doesnt give me a place to put the product key. how to
> fix that?