XP Home Product Key

[Elliott]

I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed before
I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed). I
would like to start over with the new hard drive,
installing the operating system from scratch. The issue:
I did not receive any install CD's with the computer but
I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows XP
Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
following error: "Product Key invalid". I'm thinking I
need a different version of XP Home but how do I know
which one and where can I get it? Any help would is
greatly appreciated.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Your Sony issued Product Key will only work with
Sony's prescribed Windows XP recovery method. It
will not work with any other Windows XP CD.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------

"Elliott" > wrote in message:
...

| I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
| edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed before
| I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed). I
| would like to start over with the new hard drive,
| installing the operating system from scratch. The issue:
| I did not receive any install CD's with the computer but
| I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
| desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows XP
| Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
| following error: "Product Key invalid". I'm thinking I
| need a different version of XP Home but how do I know
| which one and where can I get it? Any help would is
| greatly appreciated.
|

[Tim Newton [MSFT]]

Hello Elliot,

The product ID's for retail and OEM versions of Windows are different, so
you need an OEM version on disk to install it from. You would need to
contact Sony to get this disk.

--
Tim Newton [MSFT]


Search our Knowledge Base at http://support.microsoft.com/directory
Visit the Windows 2000 Homepage at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/default.asp
See the Windows NT Homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/

NOTE: Please reply to the newsgroup and not directly to me. This allows
others to add to and benefit from these threads and also helps to ensure a
more timely response. Thank you!

This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty either expressed or
implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The views and opinions
expressed in this newsgroup posting are mine and do not necessarily express
or reflect the views and / or opinions of Microsoft.



"Elliott" > wrote in message
...
> I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
> edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed before
> I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed). I
> would like to start over with the new hard drive,
> installing the operating system from scratch. The issue:
> I did not receive any install CD's with the computer but
> I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
> desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows XP
> Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
> following error: "Product Key invalid". I'm thinking I
> need a different version of XP Home but how do I know
> which one and where can I get it? Any help would is
> greatly appreciated.
>

[Elliott]

Thanks for your assistance but what do I do now
considering the hard drive is trash and I have no way of
recovering?

>-----Original Message-----
>Your Sony issued Product Key will only work with
>Sony's prescribed Windows XP recovery method. It
>will not work with any other Windows XP CD.
>
>--
>Carey Frisch
>Microsoft MVP
>Windows XP - Shell/User
>
>Be Smart! Protect your PC!
>http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>---------------------------------------------------------
------------
>
>"Elliott" > wrote in message:
> ...
>
>| I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
>| edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed
before
>| I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed).
I
>| would like to start over with the new hard drive,
>| installing the operating system from scratch. The
issue:
>| I did not receive any install CD's with the computer
but
>| I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
>| desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows
XP
>| Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
>| following error: "Product Key invalid". I'm thinking I
>| need a different version of XP Home but how do I know
>| which one and where can I get it? Any help would is
>| greatly appreciated.
>|
>.
>

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Well, since you have no way to recover using Sony's
prescribed recovery method, you'll have to go out
and purchase a "Full Version" of Windows XP
and install it. Your Sony Product Key is no longer
of any use. It died along with your Sony hard drive.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

------------------------------------------------------------------

"Elliott" > wrote in message:
...

| Thanks for your assistance but what do I do now
| considering the hard drive is trash and I have no way of
| recovering?

[Elliott]

Tim, thanks for the help.
>-----Original Message-----
>Hello Elliot,
>
> The product ID's for retail and OEM versions of
Windows are different, so
>you need an OEM version on disk to install it from. You
would need to
>contact Sony to get this disk.
>
>--
>Tim Newton [MSFT]

>
>Search our Knowledge Base at
http://support.microsoft.com/directory
>Visit the Windows 2000 Homepage at
>http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/default.asp
>See the Windows NT Homepage at
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/
>
>NOTE: Please reply to the newsgroup and not directly to
me. This allows
>others to add to and benefit from these threads and also
helps to ensure a
>more timely response. Thank you!
>
>This posting is provided "AS IS" without warranty either
expressed or
>implied, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of
>merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The
views and opinions
>expressed in this newsgroup posting are mine and do not
necessarily express
>or reflect the views and / or opinions of Microsoft.
>
>
>
>"Elliott" > wrote in message
...
>> I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
>> edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed
before
>> I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed).
I
>> would like to start over with the new hard drive,
>> installing the operating system from scratch. The
issue:
>> I did not receive any install CD's with the computer
but
>> I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
>> desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows
XP
>> Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
>> following error: "Product Key invalid". I'm thinking I
>> need a different version of XP Home but how do I know
>> which one and where can I get it? Any help would is
>> greatly appreciated.
>>
>
>
>.
>

LOL.......what a answer.. Absolute LIE..

" Your Sony Product Key is no longer
of any use. It died along with your Sony hard drive."

Some of your answers are crazy.



>-----Original Message-----
>Well, since you have no way to recover using Sony's
>prescribed recovery method, you'll have to go out
>and purchase a "Full Version" of Windows XP
>and install it. Your Sony Product Key is no longer
>of any use. It died along with your Sony hard drive.
>
>--
>Carey Frisch
>Microsoft MVP
>Windows XP - Shell/User
>
>Be Smart! Protect your PC!
>http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>---------------------------------------------------------
---------
>
>"Elliott" > wrote in message:
> ...
>
>| Thanks for your assistance but what do I do now
>| considering the hard drive is trash and I have no way
of
>| recovering?
>
>.
>

[Elliott]

Exactly! I called Sony and although I don't agree with
this, I can purchase the recovery and application CD's
for $22.00 and $7.00 shipping. Live and learn.

>-----Original Message-----
>LOL.......what a answer.. Absolute LIE..
>
>" Your Sony Product Key is no longer
>of any use. It died along with your Sony hard drive."
>
>Some of your answers are crazy.
>
>
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>Well, since you have no way to recover using Sony's
>>prescribed recovery method, you'll have to go out
>>and purchase a "Full Version" of Windows XP
>>and install it. Your Sony Product Key is no longer
>>of any use. It died along with your Sony hard drive.
>>
>>--
>>Carey Frisch
>>Microsoft MVP
>>Windows XP - Shell/User
>>
>>Be Smart! Protect your PC!
>>http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>>
>>--------------------------------------------------------
-
>---------
>>
>>"Elliott" > wrote in message:
>> ...
>>
>>| Thanks for your assistance but what do I do now
>>| considering the hard drive is trash and I have no way
>of
>>| recovering?
>>
>>.
>>
>.
>

Cause he wanted you to post this stupid answer!!

LOL.......what a answer.. Absolute LIE..

" Your Sony Product Key is no longer
of any use. It died along with your Sony hard drive."

Some of your answers are crazy.




>-----Original Message-----
>Why didn't you contact Sony in the first place?
>
>
>.
>

[Alex Nichol]

Elliott wrote:

>I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
>edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed before
>I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed). I
>would like to start over with the new hard drive,
>installing the operating system from scratch. The issue:
>I did not receive any install CD's with the computer but
>I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
>desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows XP
>Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
>following error: "Product Key invalid".

The one installed by Sony was a version from a series that uses a
different set of product keys from a regular home edition. You need the
appropriate CD. Sony ought to have provided recovery CDs with the
machine - they will reinstall onto a new hard drive perfectly well. If
you did *not* get these CDs ask the vendor


--
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K. (remove the D8 bit)

[Martin S.]

The one you have is the OEM version, this is what you need. If you have a
friend with the OEM XP Home CD you can use your friends CD and your product
key.



"Elliott" > wrote in message
...
> I purchased a PC from Sony that had Windows XP Home
> edition installed. My hard drive recently crashed before
> I could get all of the data off (about 70% completed). I
> would like to start over with the new hard drive,
> installing the operating system from scratch. The issue:
> I did not receive any install CD's with the computer but
> I do have the Windows XP product key (attached to the
> desktop tower). I have obtained a copy of the Windows XP
> Home edition ISO but when I try to install, I get the
> following error: "Product Key invalid". I'm thinking I
> need a different version of XP Home but how do I know
> which one and where can I get it? Any help would is
> greatly appreciated.
>

[Jack]

Xref: kermit microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:941577

check the Oh's vs. Zeroes carefully...also 8's vs. B's...etc.....


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.561 / Virus Database: 353 - Release Date: 1/13/2004

[ColTom2]

You might try Magical Bean Keyfinder version 1.41
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/ It works for me.


"JohnDoesask" > wrote in message
enews.net...
> "john do(pe)" <"" > wrote in
> :
>
> Hi.
>
> I was doing an news install of windows for my neigbour and got
> stuck at entering the licence key.
> It's an system that was bought complete and incluted with win xp
> home version.
> It was brought back one time because of a hard disk failure and
> they asked for the windows disk to reinstall it,.
> It was used for half an year without an antivirus program and
> when she asked to help her out i found it full of viruses and
> spyware and couldn't safe the system.
> Now according to them the product key was on the back of the
> computer and it was a live-long licence.
> I tried to install it but it doesn't want to accept the key.
> Of course the shops help desk tells her; ohw well you must have
> mistaken an B for an 8 and yust bring in the system and all will
> be fine. But i am more then sure that the licence key on the
> back aint that one wich should go along with the cd, but i cant
> proof it. I've searched on the cd but there is no key to be
> found. Is there a tool ore an trick to find out the original code
> on that cd.? Ore do i have to use shouting mode @ the shop?
>
> any idea's on that?
> Thank you.
>
> http://www.google.com/groups?q=author:mack_dowy%5C%22%40yahoo.com&num
> =50&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&filter=0

[Harry Ohrn]

No the product key is not stored in any form on the CD so you can not search
with any tool to find it. It is possible that the distributor used an OEM
version of XP to install on the system and placed the product key they used
during that install on the sticker. However the shop may have given her a
different version of XP in which case the original product key won't work.
For example OEM keys generally work with OEM versions of XP but a Retail
version key will not work with an OEM version.

Why do you have to use shouting mode at the shop? You say that they told her
to bring in the system and all will be fine. If the error is on their part
they will likely give her a correct key to work with the CD or give here a
CD that will work with her sticker key. In any event the computer shop is
responsible for this and not Microsoft.
--

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


"JohnDoesask" > wrote in message
enews.net...
| "john do(pe)" <"" > wrote in
| :
|
| Hi.
|
| I was doing an news install of windows for my neigbour and got
| stuck at entering the licence key.
| It's an system that was bought complete and incluted with win xp
| home version.
| It was brought back one time because of a hard disk failure and
| they asked for the windows disk to reinstall it,.
| It was used for half an year without an antivirus program and
| when she asked to help her out i found it full of viruses and
| spyware and couldn't safe the system.
| Now according to them the product key was on the back of the
| computer and it was a live-long licence.
| I tried to install it but it doesn't want to accept the key.
| Of course the shops help desk tells her; ohw well you must have
| mistaken an B for an 8 and yust bring in the system and all will
| be fine. But i am more then sure that the licence key on the
| back aint that one wich should go along with the cd, but i cant
| proof it. I've searched on the cd but there is no key to be
| found. Is there a tool ore an trick to find out the original code
| on that cd.? Ore do i have to use shouting mode @ the shop?
|
| any idea's on that?
| Thank you.
|
| http://www.google.com/groups?q=author:mack_dowy%5C%22%40yahoo.com&num
| =50&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&filter=0

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The Product Key isn't anywhere on the CD, in any form. After all,
that would be rather like storing your house keys in the lock,
wouldn't it?

You need to examine the Product Key very carefully. It's
awfully easy to mistake a "B" for an "8," a "G" for a "6," an "S" for
a "5," or a "Q" for a "0" or "O." Fortunately, Microsoft had the good
sense to leave the "1's," "I's," "O's," and "0's" out of the equation.
Also, be sure that your CapsLock if _off_ while entering the Product
Key.


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


"JohnDoesask" > wrote in message
enews.net...
> "john do(pe)" <"" > wrote in
> :
>
> Hi.
>
> I was doing an news install of windows for my neigbour and got
> stuck at entering the licence key.
> It's an system that was bought complete and incluted with win xp
> home version.
> It was brought back one time because of a hard disk failure and
> they asked for the windows disk to reinstall it,.
> It was used for half an year without an antivirus program and
> when she asked to help her out i found it full of viruses and
> spyware and couldn't safe the system.
> Now according to them the product key was on the back of the
> computer and it was a live-long licence.
> I tried to install it but it doesn't want to accept the key.
> Of course the shops help desk tells her; ohw well you must have
> mistaken an B for an 8 and yust bring in the system and all will
> be fine. But i am more then sure that the licence key on the
> back aint that one wich should go along with the cd, but i cant
> proof it. I've searched on the cd but there is no key to be
> found. Is there a tool ore an trick to find out the original code
> on that cd.? Ore do i have to use shouting mode @ the shop?
>
> any idea's on that?
> Thank you.
>
> http://www.google.com/groups?q=author:mack_dowy%5C%22%40yahoo.com&num
> =50&hl=en&lr=lang_en&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&filter=0