XP Licence but no media

[Mr E]

I've finally got round to replacing the HD on the main machine at home (work and laptops has kept the task at bay for a while).

The other reason for the delay is that although I have a licence for Xp Home (sticker is on the back of a machine) the physical disc seems to have been mislaid.

I tried using another XP Home disc, but it won't go through the validation process.

Am I missing something simple? Or am I essentially stuffed and need to buy a new licence?

Thanks in advance for your help....

 

[andy_k]

is the other XP home disc a later release than the original one?

 

[Spinal]

Depending on the age/manufacturer of your desktop, you may find they have stopped shipping the windows media on disk... many have a hidden partition on the (original) hard-drive with the installer there...

M.

 

[w124coupe]

Did you try ringing thre Microsoft 0800 number for manual activation?

(or is the issue that you have an OEM key and are using a Retail install disk?)

 

[Shude]

Call up MS and tell them your activation didn't work. They will ask you a couple of questions regarding where you purchased your licence or media (tell them it came with the computer) and they will issue you a new activation code.

I've done this a couple of times for customers where they have a licence but no media and the media I have used has not activated properly.

Good luck!

 

[Mr E]

Thanks for the quick replies. Let me see if I can answer:

1. Machine is 4 years old, doesn't give any release info on the licence sticker that I can make out.

2. The original hard disk died completely, so no getting at anything from there.

3. OEM vs Retail - could be, although the architect from work who supplied a coy of the CD said that it was IBM OEM which would match the machine (as it's an IBM).

4. Yes, did the telephone activation route and no progress - said the next step was MS Tech Support @ £47.

5. So is there someone else at MS I should talk with?


I've just tried it again (Saturday was quite hectic and I had the lad doing some of the donkey work. It rejects the licence code that I have, saying it's invalid. I now remember the conversation I had on Saturday. The telephone system rejected the activation code the machine generated, and then got the same when the real person tried to get it going too. Which was when they then went onto the "pay Tech Support" line in the script...

 

[w124coupe]

Just a thought - you are sure you're using the right code off the sticker - sometimes D and 0 etc look the same with a bit of wear and tear....

 

[Shude]

Just a thought - you are sure you're using the right code off the sticker - sometimes D and 0 etc look the same with a bit of wear and tear....

I'd be surprised if it would install at all if the code was wrong!

 

[andy_k]

I suspect that the disk you have installed from is pre service pack 1 and the serial number you have is for an SP1 release

That has caused me problems in the past.

Rather than dealing with Microsoft at £47 a time, I'd be tempted to buy a new copy off eBay

 

[Shude]

I suspect that the disk you have installed from is pre service pack 1 and the serial number you have is for an SP1 release

That has caused me problems in the past.

Rather than dealing with Microsoft at £47 a time, I'd be tempted to buy a new copy off eBay

I'd be tempted to download an ISO from somewhere. I have an ISO on DVD that will produce any iteration of Windows going back to the early 90s and it's proved very useful when a disc has been damaged or lost. Obviously the OEM or serial sticker on the hardware is used for the installation so there is no "pirating" going on.

Couldn't recommend anywhere to download however as it's essentially against forum rules, even if it is for legitimate purposes like lost media.

 

[andy_k]

I'd be tempted to download an ISO from somewhere.
Couldn't recommend anywhere to download however as it's essentially against forum rules, even if it is for legitimate purposes like lost media.

That's why I didn't even suggest it

 

[HughJarse]

Im afraid to tell you theres 10's of versions of xp home, xp pro, etc etc.

Manufacturers altered their version and serialized it.

Because you have a legit version, I would do as above, download an iso with the argument that you do legitimately own a license.

 

[whizzkid11]

You need to get an OEM version of the install media. It must be the correct HOME Edition that is on your license key.

What make is your computer?

Drop me a PM and we'll find a solution - don't go wasting money on eBay or MS Tech Support.

 

[Dryce]

Just a thought - you are sure you're using the right code off the sticker - sometimes D and 0 etc look the same with a bit of wear and tear....

8 and B often look similar when brand new.

 

[dougal74]

You need to get an OEM version of the install media. It must be the correct HOME Edition that is on your license key.

What make is your computer?

Drop me a PM and we'll find a solution - don't go wasting money on eBay or MS Tech Support.

^^^What he said

If anyone can help he can, you'll need a disk image of the IBM XP Home version so that the Licence Key matches.

 

[MrT]

8 and B often look similar when brand new.

I don't know why they use such small font size on the licence stickers!!

 

[andy_k]

^^^What he said

If anyone can help he can, you'll need a disk image of the IBM XP Home version so that the Licence Key matches.

did you read post 6?

 

[dougal74]

did you read post 6?

Yes why, what is that supposed to mean? Just because some guy said he gave the OP an OEM IBM disk copy it doesn't mean he gave him the right one.

Having dealt with Waseem many times in the past what he doesn't know about this stuff isn't worth knowing. He even knew more than our IT services company about XP licences.

He offered to help I was suggesting that the OP take him up on the offer, simple really.

 

[Mr E]

Thanks to all those who replied...

I used a tool on the MS site that allowed me to re-enter my product key into the software (badly explained, but hopefully you get my drift...).

Once I did that, and it re-validated my key, everything works fine.