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xp product key

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by hhhurdlejr

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why when my hard disk died i got another one(used-80-gig) installed it, then took my xp pro software disk, installed xp, looked fine, about 30 days later, i get threaten that if i dont regester it will, lock up. i get the product key of the cd, they (mircosoft say it is no good, then say it is, but contact the company who made my computer, now they want money to see if they can help me. is this normal, once you install a different hard disk, the product key doesnt work and neither mircosoft or hp will help

3 replies

by w2ktechman

HP should be able to send a new disk/key to you for your system, but they may charge shipping for the replacement (+ extra). I think HP's going rate is like 10 or 12 bucks, not a big deal.

MS is, well MS. They want you to just buy a new copy of Windows.

As an alternative, if you cannot get HP to send a new disk, try using the order form from their website, or the HP/Compaq Parts store (online). Both should have an order form.

by oh smeg

But a OEM copy which installs OK but it isn't a Volume License Product and needs Activation.

If you use the HP supplied Install Media you wouldn't have got this error message but it will happen every time if you use other OEM Media. HP is the correct place to look for a solution here and provided that you used their install media they are bound to supply you a replacement Product Key provided that this hasn't been reissued previously or you are using an old HP Product.

If you need a replacement copy of the install media you can order it here from HP but you will need to enter your Model Number & serial Number to get the correct one.

http://tinyurl.com/ypkk34

Col

by pawlowskia

If your machine truly did come with an OEM version of XP, the manufacture had to put an OEM sticker on the machine which includes the product key.

If you used a non HP OEM version of the OS software to install XP and used the product key stuck to the system, you are seeing exactly that needs to happen. You should go ahead and activate it.

The reason we are saying you should use the OEM version from HP to install on HP is because Microsoft modified a few files on the install disk to look for a BIOS string on the HP and the product key that is key into the automated install of XP from the OEM disk is based on that BIOS string. If the two don't match, it asked for activation and possibly a new key.

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