Product key

[Gavin]

When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?

[William B. Lurie]

AHA!!!! So maybe I'm not alone in this,
and wherever Microsoft checks these things, that's where
the problem really is!! Possible, right, Harry?

My solution, albeit temporary: Ignore the problem, for a month,
and then meet back here to inquire as to whether Microsoft
has isolated it and fixed it.
W B L

Gavin wrote:

> When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
> invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
> Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?

--

William B. Lurie

[Harry Ohrn]

Is your version of XP an OEM version or a retail version William? Microsoft
might be able to assist you with a different key if it is a retail version
but if it is an OEM then you need to contact the manufacturer.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
...
> AHA!!!! So maybe I'm not alone in this,
> and wherever Microsoft checks these things, that's where
> the problem really is!! Possible, right, Harry?
>
> My solution, albeit temporary: Ignore the problem, for a month,
> and then meet back here to inquire as to whether Microsoft
> has isolated it and fixed it.
> W B L
>
> Gavin wrote:
>
> > When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
> > invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
> > Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?
>
> --
>
> William B. Lurie
>
>

[William B. Lurie]

This is just too involved. I got SP1 downloaded and
installed. Nothing is forever, and in a year or two,
when in the normal course of events I have to buy a
new machine or do some major rebuild, I'll think about it again.
Whatever the updates are, I have a feeling I will be able
to live comfortably without tempting fate any further.
Maybe, by reading this newsgroup, I'll find out in due
time that I can then safely try Windows Update again.
Thank you, Harry.
W B L
---------------------------------------------------

Harry Ohrn wrote:

> Is your version of XP an OEM version or a retail version William? Microsoft
> might be able to assist you with a different key if it is a retail version
> but if it is an OEM then you need to contact the manufacturer.
>
> --
>
> Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
> www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
>
> "William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
> ...
> > AHA!!!! So maybe I'm not alone in this,
> > and wherever Microsoft checks these things, that's where
> > the problem really is!! Possible, right, Harry?
> >
> > My solution, albeit temporary: Ignore the problem, for a month,
> > and then meet back here to inquire as to whether Microsoft
> > has isolated it and fixed it.
> > W B L
> >
> > Gavin wrote:
> >
> > > When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
> > > invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
> > > Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?
> >
> > --
> >
> > William B. Lurie
> >
> >

--

William B. Lurie

[Harry Ohrn]

Ok. Until then you might try using the Windows Update Catalogue site to
download updates from
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true

--

Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
...
> This is just too involved. I got SP1 downloaded and
> installed. Nothing is forever, and in a year or two,
> when in the normal course of events I have to buy a
> new machine or do some major rebuild, I'll think about it again.
> Whatever the updates are, I have a feeling I will be able
> to live comfortably without tempting fate any further.
> Maybe, by reading this newsgroup, I'll find out in due
> time that I can then safely try Windows Update again.
> Thank you, Harry.
> W B L
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> Harry Ohrn wrote:
>
> > Is your version of XP an OEM version or a retail version William?
Microsoft
> > might be able to assist you with a different key if it is a retail
version
> > but if it is an OEM then you need to contact the manufacturer.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
> > www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
> >
> > "William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > AHA!!!! So maybe I'm not alone in this,
> > > and wherever Microsoft checks these things, that's where
> > > the problem really is!! Possible, right, Harry?
> > >
> > > My solution, albeit temporary: Ignore the problem, for a month,
> > > and then meet back here to inquire as to whether Microsoft
> > > has isolated it and fixed it.
> > > W B L
> > >
> > > Gavin wrote:
> > >
> > > > When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
> > > > invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
> > > > Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > William B. Lurie
> > >
> > >
>
> --
>
> William B. Lurie
>
>

[William B. Lurie]

Thanks again, Harry...but that link doesn't work for me.....
W B L

Harry Ohrn wrote:

> Ok. Until then you might try using the Windows Update Catalogue site to
> download updates from
> http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true
>
> --
>
> Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
> www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
>
> "William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
> ...
> > This is just too involved. I got SP1 downloaded and
> > installed. Nothing is forever, and in a year or two,
> > when in the normal course of events I have to buy a
> > new machine or do some major rebuild, I'll think about it again.
> > Whatever the updates are, I have a feeling I will be able
> > to live comfortably without tempting fate any further.
> > Maybe, by reading this newsgroup, I'll find out in due
> > time that I can then safely try Windows Update again.
> > Thank you, Harry.
> > W B L
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Harry Ohrn wrote:
> >
> > > Is your version of XP an OEM version or a retail version William?
> Microsoft
> > > might be able to assist you with a different key if it is a retail
> version
> > > but if it is an OEM then you need to contact the manufacturer.
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
> > > www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
> > >
> > > "William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > AHA!!!! So maybe I'm not alone in this,
> > > > and wherever Microsoft checks these things, that's where
> > > > the problem really is!! Possible, right, Harry?
> > > >
> > > > My solution, albeit temporary: Ignore the problem, for a month,
> > > > and then meet back here to inquire as to whether Microsoft
> > > > has isolated it and fixed it.
> > > > W B L
> > > >
> > > > Gavin wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
> > > > > invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
> > > > > Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > >
> > > > William B. Lurie
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> > --
> >
> > William B. Lurie
> >
> >

--

William B. Lurie

[Vodor]

Your best bet is to call Microsoft. (LOL, yeah I know how that can be).

--
Vodor...




Wherever you were, here you are....
"William B. Lurie" > wrote in message ...

Harry Ohrn:
I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they allowed me
to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install it, would
be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product Key with
which I can get back into Windows Update again.........or should I
stop beating the dead horse?
Bill Lurie



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.510 / Virus Database: 307 - Release Date: 8/14/2003

[Harry Ohrn]

Ok William. If you know or have every reason to believe that the Product Key
is not an invalid key then perhaps by reinstalling SP1 from a download will
help. This should get you by having to access either the Windows Update Site
or the Windows Update Catalogue
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/winxpsp1.html

--

Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


"William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks again, Harry...but that link doesn't work for me.....
> W B L
>
> Harry Ohrn wrote:
>
> > Ok. Until then you might try using the Windows Update Catalogue site to
> > download updates from
> > http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp?corporate=true
> >
> > --
> >
> > Harry Ohrn - MS MVP [Shell/User]
> > www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
> >
> > "William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > This is just too involved. I got SP1 downloaded and
> > > installed. Nothing is forever, and in a year or two,
> > > when in the normal course of events I have to buy a
> > > new machine or do some major rebuild, I'll think about it again.
> > > Whatever the updates are, I have a feeling I will be able
> > > to live comfortably without tempting fate any further.
> > > Maybe, by reading this newsgroup, I'll find out in due
> > > time that I can then safely try Windows Update again.
> > > Thank you, Harry.
> > > W B L
> > > ---------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Harry Ohrn wrote:
> > >
> > > > Is your version of XP an OEM version or a retail version William?
> > Microsoft
> > > > might be able to assist you with a different key if it is a retail
> > version
> > > > but if it is an OEM then you need to contact the manufacturer.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > >
> > > > Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell\User]
> > > > www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
> > > >
> > > > "William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > AHA!!!! So maybe I'm not alone in this,
> > > > > and wherever Microsoft checks these things, that's where
> > > > > the problem really is!! Possible, right, Harry?
> > > > >
> > > > > My solution, albeit temporary: Ignore the problem, for a month,
> > > > > and then meet back here to inquire as to whether Microsoft
> > > > > has isolated it and fixed it.
> > > > > W B L
> > > > >
> > > > > Gavin wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > When I try to Install XP it says the product key is
> > > > > > invalid? The disc came with new computer.I can't contact
> > > > > > Microsoft to ask them why. Can anyone help?
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > >
> > > > > William B. Lurie
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> > > William B. Lurie
> > >
> > >
>
> --
>
> William B. Lurie
>
>

[Sara]

I cant even download service pak 1 When i try it boots up
saying invalid product key. How did you get download the
service pak I even sent out for the cd and i still could
not install. Please give me a clue.
>-----Original Message-----
>[Image]
>
>Harry Ohrn:
>I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they
allowed me
>to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install it,
would
>be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product Key
with
>which I can get back into Windows Update
again.........or should I
>stop beating the dead horse?
> Bill Lurie
>
>

[blake]

buy a product key. looks like you used the fake one that
people had been using for a long time

>-----Original Message-----
>I cant even download service pak 1 When i try it boots
up
>saying invalid product key. How did you get download the
>service pak I even sent out for the cd and i still could
>not install. Please give me a clue.
>>-----Original Message-----
>>[Image]
>>
>>Harry Ohrn:
>>I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they
>allowed me
>>to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install
it,
>would
>>be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product
Key
>with
>>which I can get back into Windows Update
>again.........or should I
>>stop beating the dead horse?
>> Bill Lurie
>>
>>
>.
>

[William B. Lurie]

Sara, this is a complicated situation. I couldn't download SP1. I tried
again. It kept giving me the 'invalid product key' story. But,
mirabile dictu, it finally took. According to the Microsoft MVPs,
that proved that the product key I have stored IS valid. After
downloading and installing SP1, I went back to Windows Update
to download more new goodies they said they had for me. Sure
enough, I got the 'invalid product key' story. Some of the people
reading my earlier reports said, "Phone Microsoft". But one of
their more helpful people.........whose name you can find by
following this thread backwards, suggested that perhaps MICROSOFT,
due to the strong virus that's going around, is overloaded, and I'm
thinking
that maybe they are using this as a tool for keeping people off their
backs
for a while.

In any case, I suggest, keep trying.......be VERY careful that you
enter the key exactly correctly, and keep reading this newsgroup.

W B Lurie
*************************************************

Sara wrote:

> I cant even download service pak 1 When i try it boots up
> saying invalid product key. How did you get download the
> service pak I even sent out for the cd and i still could
> not install. Please give me a clue.
> >-----Original Message-----
> >[Image]
> >
> >Harry Ohrn:
> >I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they
> allowed me
> >to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install it,
> would
> >be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product Key
> with
> >which I can get back into Windows Update
> again.........or should I
> >stop beating the dead horse?
> > Bill Lurie
> >
> >

--

William B. Lurie

[toddkozi]

I tried to follow this thread, but in my newsreader the thread is broken=
..=20
But have you checked this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
to see if your ProductID matches these numbers:
XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX
found in http://support.microsoft.com/?id=3D326904 ?
Those have been the only IDs I've seen published by MS as invalid.
Whether they're keeping any others under their hats....
-
Todd

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

On 8/18/2003, 5:30:52 PM, "William B. Lurie" > wr=
ote=20
regarding Re: Product Key:


> Sara, this is a complicated situation. I couldn't download SP1. I trie=
d
> again. It kept giving me the 'invalid product key' story. But,
> mirabile dictu, it finally took. According to the Microsoft MVPs,
> that proved that the product key I have stored IS valid. After
> downloading and installing SP1, I went back to Windows Update
> to download more new goodies they said they had for me. Sure
> enough, I got the 'invalid product key' story. Some of the people
> reading my earlier reports said, "Phone Microsoft". But one of
> their more helpful people.........whose name you can find by
> following this thread backwards, suggested that perhaps MICROSOFT,
> due to the strong virus that's going around, is overloaded, and I'm
> thinking
> that maybe they are using this as a tool for keeping people off their=

> backs
> for a while.

> In any case, I suggest, keep trying.......be VERY careful that you
> enter the key exactly correctly, and keep reading this newsgroup.

> W B Lurie
> *************************************************

> Sara wrote:

> > I cant even download service pak 1 When i try it boots up
> > saying invalid product key. How did you get download the
> > service pak I even sent out for the cd and i still could
> > not install. Please give me a clue.
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >[Image]
> > >
> > >Harry Ohrn:
> > >I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they
> > allowed me
> > >to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install it,
> > would
> > >be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product Key
> > with
> > >which I can get back into Windows Update
> > again.........or should I
> > >stop beating the dead horse?
> > > Bill Lurie
> > >
> > >

> --

> William B. Lurie

[William B. Lurie]

Todd, my Product ID does not match either of those you list below.
But the problem I'm having is that MS recognized my Product Key as
being valid, as evidenced by their acceptance of it and downloading
SP1 and installing SP1...........and then, when I rebooted and went back to
Windows Update, it again gave me the "invalid product key" block and
won't even show me simple non-critical updates.
W B L

toddkozi wrote:

> I tried to follow this thread, but in my newsreader the thread is broken.
> But have you checked this key:
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
> to see if your ProductID matches these numbers:
> XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
> XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX
> found in http://support.microsoft.com/?id=326904 ?
> Those have been the only IDs I've seen published by MS as invalid.
> Whether they're keeping any others under their hats....
> -
> Todd
>
> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>
> On 8/18/2003, 5:30:52 PM, "William B. Lurie" > wrote
> regarding Re: Product Key:
>
> > Sara, this is a complicated situation. I couldn't download SP1. I tried
> > again. It kept giving me the 'invalid product key' story. But,
> > mirabile dictu, it finally took. According to the Microsoft MVPs,
> > that proved that the product key I have stored IS valid. After
> > downloading and installing SP1, I went back to Windows Update
> > to download more new goodies they said they had for me. Sure
> > enough, I got the 'invalid product key' story. Some of the people
> > reading my earlier reports said, "Phone Microsoft". But one of
> > their more helpful people.........whose name you can find by
> > following this thread backwards, suggested that perhaps MICROSOFT,
> > due to the strong virus that's going around, is overloaded, and I'm
> > thinking
> > that maybe they are using this as a tool for keeping people off their
> > backs
> > for a while.
>
> > In any case, I suggest, keep trying.......be VERY careful that you
> > enter the key exactly correctly, and keep reading this newsgroup.
>
> > W B Lurie
> > *************************************************
>
> > Sara wrote:
>
> > > I cant even download service pak 1 When i try it boots up
> > > saying invalid product key. How did you get download the
> > > service pak I even sent out for the cd and i still could
> > > not install. Please give me a clue.
> > > >-----Original Message-----
> > > >[Image]
> > > >
> > > >Harry Ohrn:
> > > >I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they
> > > allowed me
> > > >to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install it,
> > > would
> > > >be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product Key
> > > with
> > > >which I can get back into Windows Update
> > > again.........or should I
> > > >stop beating the dead horse?
> > > > Bill Lurie
> > > >
> > > >
>
> > --
>
> > William B. Lurie

--

William B. Lurie

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Other possible considerations:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310637

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326904

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"William B. Lurie" > wrote in message
...
> Todd, my Product ID does not match either of those you list below.
> But the problem I'm having is that MS recognized my Product Key as
> being valid, as evidenced by their acceptance of it and downloading
> SP1 and installing SP1...........and then, when I rebooted and went back
to
> Windows Update, it again gave me the "invalid product key" block and
> won't even show me simple non-critical updates.
> W B L
>
> toddkozi wrote:
>
> > I tried to follow this thread, but in my newsreader the thread is
broken.
> > But have you checked this key:
> > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
> > to see if your ProductID matches these numbers:
> > XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX
> > XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX
> > found in http://support.microsoft.com/?id=326904 ?
> > Those have been the only IDs I've seen published by MS as invalid.
> > Whether they're keeping any others under their hats....
> > -
> > Todd
> >
> > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Original Message <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
> >
> > On 8/18/2003, 5:30:52 PM, "William B. Lurie" >
wrote
> > regarding Re: Product Key:
> >
> > > Sara, this is a complicated situation. I couldn't download SP1. I
tried
> > > again. It kept giving me the 'invalid product key' story. But,
> > > mirabile dictu, it finally took. According to the Microsoft MVPs,
> > > that proved that the product key I have stored IS valid. After
> > > downloading and installing SP1, I went back to Windows Update
> > > to download more new goodies they said they had for me. Sure
> > > enough, I got the 'invalid product key' story. Some of the people
> > > reading my earlier reports said, "Phone Microsoft". But one of
> > > their more helpful people.........whose name you can find by
> > > following this thread backwards, suggested that perhaps MICROSOFT,
> > > due to the strong virus that's going around, is overloaded, and I'm
> > > thinking
> > > that maybe they are using this as a tool for keeping people off their
> > > backs
> > > for a while.
> >
> > > In any case, I suggest, keep trying.......be VERY careful that you
> > > enter the key exactly correctly, and keep reading this newsgroup.
> >
> > > W B Lurie
> > > *************************************************
> >
> > > Sara wrote:
> >
> > > > I cant even download service pak 1 When i try it boots up
> > > > saying invalid product key. How did you get download the
> > > > service pak I even sent out for the cd and i still could
> > > > not install. Please give me a clue.
> > > > >-----Original Message-----
> > > > >[Image]
> > > > >
> > > > >Harry Ohrn:
> > > > >I don't suppose the above (winver). showing that they
> > > > allowed me
> > > > >to go thru Windows Update and get to SP1 and install it,
> > > > would
> > > > >be enough to convince Microsoft to give me a Product Key
> > > > with
> > > > >which I can get back into Windows Update
> > > > again.........or should I
> > > > >stop beating the dead horse?
> > > > > Bill Lurie
> > > > >
> > > > >
> >
> > > --
> >
> > > William B. Lurie
>
> --
>
> William B. Lurie
>
>