Can anyone enlighten me please

jstvj

I have a medion laptop with Windows Xp installed (oem, I think they call it), I needed to do a reinstall(virus ?), which fatally stopped at 49 mins, saying there might be a problem with the disc. I tried another disc and the same thing happened. To get things working again I tried a friend's disc, which was a copy of the retail version of XP. This installed without problems but I had no key, so I could not validate it. So I bought a COA licence key off Ebay and although it is used, the Seller said it would give me a legal installand validate. If I understand the situation correctly, validation of this key is now being refused, because of a previous recorded keyon the laptop. Firstly I have formatted the hard drive, which I thought erased all previous infomation, so how does the machine still have previous keys ? I spoke to Microsoft support who insisted that they wanted some information from the actual disc label, which as I had used a copy I could not give them. They said therefore, that they could not help.The Ebay Seller keeps insisting that I can change the key with a tool (tried that and it failed), then to tell Microsoft it is a re-install and finally just keep on insisting because Microsoft must validate a genuine licence. I do not know very much about Microsoft licensing. Can anyone clarify this for me please.

jstvj

jstvj wrote: »

I have a medion laptop with Windows Xp installed (oem, I think they call it), I needed to do a reinstall(virus ?), which fatally stopped at 49 mins, saying there might be a problem with the disc. I tried another disc and the same thing happened. To get things working again I tried a friend's disc, which was a copy of the retail version of XP. This installed without problems but I had no key, so I could not validate it. So I bought a COA licence key off Ebay and although it is used, the Seller said it would give me a legal installand validate. If I understand the situation correctly, validation of this key is now being refused, because of a previous recorded keyon the laptop. Firstly I have formatted the hard drive, which I thought erased all previous infomation, so how does the machine still have previous keys ? I spoke to Microsoft support who insisted that they wanted some information from the actual disc label, which as I had used a copy I could not give them. They said therefore, that they could not help.The Ebay Seller keeps insisting that I can change the key with a tool (tried that and it failed), then to tell Microsoft it is a re-install and finally just keep on insisting because Microsoft must validate a genuine licence. I do not know very much about Microsoft licensing. Can anyone clarify this for me please.

Just a quick follow up. My original OEM was service pack sp1, whereas the retail version I have now installed is sp2, which doesn't help the situation

Little_John

You bought a key of ebay knowing that it had been used. and you know that keys from oem dont work with retail coppies.

So what version is the key for? it does matter. and what version have you installed on the laptop?

If you bought an OEM key that has been used on ebay then that is illegal OEM keys/licences are non transferable.
Useing a key on a 2nd machine is also illegal.
Installing your mates disk on your machine and useing his key is illegal.

Your best option is to check that your disk is clean, or find an OEM copy of XP home and install that your key will work.

If you are sure that the key you bought is legal then make use of the telephone method of activation it will try to activate over the internet and fail then call microsoft and follow the instructions entering the blocks of 6 numbers when asked if they accept it then it will give you a shed load of number for you to enter in the wizard and it will activate. if not hang up and repeat the process, it will fail and put you through to someone and they will ask you questions, lie your head off and get the questions right like is this installed on more than 1 PC you say no. if they ask another similar question you have borrowed the disk off a friend as your disk is scratched. they should then give you the activation code.