Defective Product Key?

[Cindy]

can't install Windows XP from get-go as product key on
back of package INVALID according to installation wizard.
Bought this today at Office Depot. A fluke or is every
program bad. I have Windows 98, 2nd edition, on Dell,
Pentium III, 512 rams. But I can't even get started on
install as wizard refuses to accept "code"! Thanks in
advance for any suggestions.

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Contact a Microsoft expert online or by phone for help with using a Microsoft product.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;[ln];top

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

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

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

"Cindy" > wrote in message:
...

| can't install Windows XP from get-go as product key on
| back of package INVALID according to installation wizard.
| Bought this today at Office Depot. A fluke or is every
| program bad. I have Windows 98, 2nd edition, on Dell,
| Pentium III, 512 rams. But I can't even get started on
| install as wizard refuses to accept "code"! Thanks in
| advance for any suggestions.

[billh]

"Cindy" > wrote in message
...
> can't install Windows XP from get-go as product key on
> back of package INVALID according to installation wizard.
> Bought this today at Office Depot. A fluke or is every
> program bad. I have Windows 98, 2nd edition, on Dell,
> Pentium III, 512 rams. But I can't even get started on
> install as wizard refuses to accept "code"! Thanks in
> advance for any suggestions.

Are you getting the characters correct. Q not O, O not 0, G not C, 6 not
G, I not 1 or vice versa and others. You get the idea. This has been my
only problem with codes but suppose it could happen.

Billh

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Cindy,

There are several possible causes for this problem, see:

Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310637

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"Cindy" > wrote in message
...
> can't install Windows XP from get-go as product key on
> back of package INVALID according to installation wizard.
> Bought this today at Office Depot. A fluke or is every
> program bad. I have Windows 98, 2nd edition, on Dell,
> Pentium III, 512 rams. But I can't even get started on
> install as wizard refuses to accept "code"! Thanks in
> advance for any suggestions.

[Steve C. Ray]

Are you looking at the correct number? On a retail boxed version of XP the
Product Key is not on the back of the package, it is on a orange sticker
inside the cardboard folder the CD came in. The Key is 25 characters long,
made up of five groups of five characters. Is this the number you are using?

--
Steve C. Ray
(Replace "mail" with "36db"
"Cindy" > wrote in message
...
> can't install Windows XP from get-go as product key on
> back of package INVALID according to installation wizard.
> Bought this today at Office Depot. A fluke or is every
> program bad. I have Windows 98, 2nd edition, on Dell,
> Pentium III, 512 rams. But I can't even get started on
> install as wizard refuses to accept "code"! Thanks in
> advance for any suggestions.

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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.

Troubleshooting Invalid CD Key Error Message During Windows XP Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310637


Bruce Chambers

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"Cindy" > wrote in message
...
> can't install Windows XP from get-go as product key on
> back of package INVALID according to installation wizard.
> Bought this today at Office Depot. A fluke or is every
> program bad. I have Windows 98, 2nd edition, on Dell,
> Pentium III, 512 rams. But I can't even get started on
> install as wizard refuses to accept "code"! Thanks in
> advance for any suggestions.

[marty]

did you go back to Office Depot and talk to them....


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