Product key on bottom - why does it not work?

[TinRam]

Hello...

I have an IBM laptop that on which I want to blow away the OS and do a fresh install of Windows XP. The laptop has a Windows XP product key sticker on the bottom. I would like to use this product key, sine the laptop came with a legal license, might as well use it right?

But I can't get my install to accept this key. I am assuming this is a OEM key. The Windows media I have is for Vol Lic, but I found the article regarding changing the setupp.ini file to make it OEM.

I changed the CD to OEM (with the setupp.ini change) but when I try to use this product key it says that it is not valid.

I did a search here and some people were talking about a bios lock or something like that. Could it be that? What else could be the reason why this product key does not work?

 

[BadBigBen]

So you have established that the Key at the bottom, mostlikely isn't an OEM key...

have you tried it with the Original CD that you have?

AFAIK, XP has Four (4) diff versions of Liscences, OEM, Retail, Volume, and Student...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[TinRam]

I tried it with the Volume Licese CD I have. I also tried changing the CD to retail. So I tried retail, OEM and Volume. I didn't try student, but there is no way this key can be student.

Thats why I find it so strange. It did not work with 3 different CD types.

 

[erikhertzel]

You probably need to call Microsoft, I ran into a similar problem yesterday evening and they were able to resolve my issue.

Call their product key support (it's free). You can get this number by calling MS and getting directed to the toll free number (I don't know it off the top of my head).

Hope this helps,

Erik