Microsoft seruiall numbers hell. How to sort it out?

QQQ

There is a PC with Windows XP serial number sticker on the back. I tried to install the same version of XP there but it says the serial number on the back is wrong? Where I can find the OS which will fit this serial? I have already paid for OS license haven't I? It is possible to buy an OS CD from manufacturer for ridiculous £40 but shouldn't there be another and still legal way?

[Deleted User]

Did your computer not come with a restore CD or restore partition on the hard drive? You should use this if it did. Microsoft disabled online activation of stickers on computers from most major manufacturers because the restore CD/partition that came with the computer does not require activation. However, you can still phone up and use telephone activation if you explain the situation.

Are you sure that you are trying to install the correct version of XP - i.e. pro or home? Where did the disk that you are using come from?

Have you upgraded the computer since you got it?

QQQ

tentonine wrote: »

Did your computer not come with a restore CD or restore partition on the hard drive?

Unfortunately there is no restore CD or partition.

tentonine wrote: »

Are you sure that you are trying to install the correct version of XP - i.e. pro or home?

Yes, the edition is the same - XP pro

tentonine wrote: »

Where did the disk that you are using come from?

From another laptop from different manufacturer

[Deleted User]

Is the problem that you cannot install Windows at all from the new disk or that you cannot activate it after it is installed?

Did you actually get the disk with the other laptop or did you buy it from a shop for an upgrade later?

Did you format the computer while you were reinstalling Windows? If not, it is possible to recover some information to activate the new installation.

Also, manufacturer's generally provide some kind of reinstallation solution, so there may be a program on the hard drive that can create a restore CD for you (if you haven't formatted).

scottishblondie

It might be that you have a licence for an OEM version of Windows XP, which is specific to the manufacturer of the machine e.g. the licence key on my Dell laptop will only work with a Dell Windows disk.

What is the make of your PC?

[Deleted User]

Actually, this is not correct - specific manufacturer license keys do not even need to be entered. Disks from manufacturers install automatically with a different key and do not require activation.

When using an original Microsoft OEM CD (or a disk from a different manufacturer), Microsoft do not allow manufacturer OEM keys to be activated over the net (in general), but they will often activate them over the phone if you explain that you had to use a different disk for the reinstall.

Another problem can arise if using a disk bought in retail packaging (and not with a new computer). These do indeed not work with manufacturer's license keys (but can easily be modified to do so if you have a spare blank CD).

busenbust

Provided the XP install is legitimate you could phone up Microsoft support for a working license key. Or perhaps your PC manufacturer.

bingo_bango

Another vote for MS. I've had to call them in the past due to WGA not working following an install and they were very helpful on the phone. Took about 3 mins start to finish, and job done.

Lil306

QQQ wrote: »

There is a PC with Windows XP serial number sticker on the back. I tried to install the same version of XP there but it says the serial number on the back is wrong? Where I can find the OS which will fit this serial? I have already paid for OS license haven't I? It is possible to buy an OS CD from manufacturer for ridiculous £40 but shouldn't there be another and still legal way?

There are two possible causes here

1 - You're using the wrong type of CD (i.e XP Home instead of XP Pro)
2 - You're entering the wrong product key

Believe me you need to pay VERY close attention to the serials, the B and 8 look very similar if you don't pay attention to them and it's easy to mess up

Verify what that serial key actually covers what version of Windows
(it will display on the sticker) and then get the appropriate installation media to reinstall the O/S. I can't tell you how to do it on this forum, the free approach is borrow a friends install CD if they have one. There is no physical different between the installation software on OEM and Retail XP bar the way they activate and license your hardware.

It's better using retail but OEM will get you a working version

[Deleted User]

There is a single byte difference between OEM and retail versions of XP disks so that serials from one will not work on the other (and by retail I mean one bought from a shop rather than an OEM CD obtained directly from Microsoft). However, it is easy to change this using a hex editor and then make a new CD (there are lots of guides on the web about this).

Note that this is only for XP - I believe that there is no difference for Vista and 7.

Lil306

tentonine wrote: »

There is a single byte difference between OEM and retail versions of XP disks so that serials from one will not work on the other (and by retail I mean one bought from a shop rather than an OEM CD obtained directly from Microsoft). However, it is easy to change this using a hex editor and then make a new CD (there are lots of guides on the web about this).

Note that this is only for XP - I believe that there is no difference for Vista and 7.

Never actually tried that, I know my Windows installs all the time when I need to rebuild it. I own an OEM version of XP so it's good for when I need to rebuild it. I don't have to burn ISOs any more I just boot my media and reinstall the O/S multiple times.