I reinstalled XP pro, now it says my product key is not valid. I purchased
an OEM CD w/ a new computer that I built myself in august '04. The actual CD
says XP pro Version 2002 and I have the certificate of authenticity in front
of me. All the hardware is physically the same, but I updated the firmware
on the motherboard and video card. I didnt think that would invalidate my
OEM agreement.

I've tried activating over the phone, it says my product key appears to be
invalid, "sorry we can't continue, goodbye". I don't get the option to talk
to a live person. Is there another number I need to call? I'm using the one
in the activation screen. Thanks.

brad wrote:
> I reinstalled XP pro, now it says my product key is not valid. I
> purchased
> an OEM CD w/ a new computer that I built myself in august '04. The actual
> CD
> says XP pro Version 2002 and I have the certificate of authenticity in
> front
> of me. All the hardware is physically the same, but I updated the
> firmware
> on the motherboard and video card. I didnt think that would invalidate my
> OEM agreement.
>
> I've tried activating over the phone, it says my product key appears to be
> invalid, "sorry we can't continue, goodbye". I don't get the option to
> talk
> to a live person. Is there another number I need to call? I'm using the
> one
> in the activation screen. Thanks.

You've verified - by having someone else read it to you and you write it
down - that you are not seeing an "8" as a "B" or a "1" as an "I" or a "5"
as an "S" or vice-versa on any of those?

Unfortunately - for you - you used the word "OEM" - your support is whomever
installed it on the system followed by (and sometimes the same person) those
you purchased it from. In most cases - they will be of little help. (And
did you perform a full Reinstall or the simpler Repair install?)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

I'll have to see if anyone else sees it differently, but I doubt it. I
deleted the C partition, recreated it and formated, so its a completely
fresh install. If the key was not valid, I dont see why it even let me
install, wouldnt it stop me earlier? Everthing installed fine, its only upon
activation that I get a problem (I'm typing this on the same PC).

I tried it again, the correct error message is "unauthorized product key".
Does this mean my key got blacklisted or something?

I put together the PC myself, purchased everything from Newegg.com, but I
don't think they do much in this case. Usually I build a new PC every 2-3
years, so its no big deal to buy a new OEM copy for each one (I keep at least
one as a backup, so i need 2 active licenses).

Thanks for your help, I'm just looking for a reason why the key stopped
working at this point.

Brad

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:
>
> You've verified - by having someone else read it to you and you write it
> down - that you are not seeing an "8" as a "B" or a "1" as an "I" or a "5"
> as an "S" or vice-versa on any of those?
>
> Unfortunately - for you - you used the word "OEM" - your support is whomever
> installed it on the system followed by (and sometimes the same person) those
> you purchased it from. In most cases - they will be of little help. (And
> did you perform a full Reinstall or the simpler Repair install?)
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
>