Windows XP SP2 Serial Number

Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This was
an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I thought
that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I was
wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of windows.
What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Retail keys and OEM keys are different. Each only work with the same
version of CD. So a Retail key needs a Retail CD and OEM reguires an OEM
CD.


"DM" wrote in message
...
Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This
was an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I
thought that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I
was wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of
windows. What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

When you pay for a legal copy of Windows XP, you are mainly paying for the
product key that "makes" it legal. The seller ought to have known this. How
much did you pay? You can get a fresh disk for a nominal sum from MS:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;326246


"DM" wrote in message
...
Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This
was
an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I thought
that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I was
wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of
windows.
What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks for your help. I'm in the UK, I have been looking for the disk
replacement section of the MS website but couldn't find it anywhere...
anybody got a UK link?

I payed £15 for the new disk which isn't too much... but I guess it's
useless without a key.



"DM" wrote in message
...
Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This
was an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I
thought that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I
was wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of
windows. What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

At such a low price and no product key, I'm dubious about it being a legal
copy. I certainly don't doubt your word but I doubt the representations of
the seller in that regard.

Usually, Microsoft does not replace OEM versions as they are the
responsibility of the seller.

It's my guess, you've been had and you'll need to purchase a replacement at
retail. Ebay, is not a good source for this sort of thing.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/


"DM" wrote in message
...
Many Thanks for your help. I'm in the UK, I have been looking for the disk
replacement section of the MS website but couldn't find it anywhere...
anybody got a UK link?

I payed £15 for the new disk which isn't too much... but I guess it's
useless without a key.



"DM" wrote in message
...
Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This
was an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I
thought that my existing product key would work with this disk, however,
I was wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of
windows. What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;326246
Actually, this page seems identical to the US page except it says UK at the
top.
The information is so vague, but there are the US toll-free phone numbers. I
would choose the most likely one and hope a human can direct you to the
appropriate place.

"DM" wrote in message
...
Many Thanks for your help. I'm in the UK, I have been looking for the disk
replacement section of the MS website but couldn't find it anywhere...
anybody got a UK link?

I payed £15 for the new disk which isn't too much... but I guess it's
useless without a key.



"DM" wrote in message
...
Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This
was an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I
thought that my existing product key would work with this disk, however,
I
was wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of
windows. What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks for your help. I'm in the UK, I have been looking for the disk
replacement section of the MS website but couldn't find it anywhere...
anybody got a UK link?

I payed £15 for the new disk which isn't too much... but I guess it's
useless without a key.

Not necessarily. Do a Google search on Product Activation hacks,
and expand your education.

"DM" wrote:

Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This was
an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I thought
that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I was
wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of windows.
What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Is your original XP CD still readable? There are repair kits available
which can help by covering over scratches etc. on the underside of the
CD.

If you have a CD Burner then you can make a new installation CD using
that plus the SP2 download as per the instructions at the following
sites:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...slipstream.asp
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...p2-bootcd.html
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?act...showarticle=49

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

DM wrote:
Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This was
an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I thought
that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I was
wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of windows.
What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.




Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom
line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

All legitimate WinXP licenses come with a Product Key. If you did not
get an OEM Product Key to accompany the OEM CD, then you were ripped
off. Contact eBay and the seller to resolve the issue.


--

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

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 17:33:25 GMT, "DM" wrote:

Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This was
an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I thought
that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I was
wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of windows.
What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Have you contacted the seller??
Or did you know in advance, that no key would be included?

I knew it wouldn't come with a product key.... this is my own fault, I just
thought I could use this disk as a replacement disk as it were.


"buRford" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 17:33:25 GMT, "DM" wrote:

Hi There

A few years ago I bought a retail copy of Windows XP Professional (legal
version) which I have been happily using for a number of years. However,
time took its toll on the disk, so I bought another copy from eBay. This
was
an Windows XP Professional SP2 OEM version, again a legal copy. I thought
that my existing product key would work with this disk, however, I was
wrong. I currently have 20 days remaining to unlock this version of
windows.
What should I do?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.


Have you contacted the seller??
Or did you know in advance, that no key would be included?