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quick question

  • 12-11-2010 11:04am
    #1
    baby and crumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭


    ok, I got a computer that was being chucked out of a school a while back that was running xp. all was good until the hdd died, and I replaced it with a new one. I tried reinstalling xp using a cd that i found in work (which was the right version- pro), and entering the license key that i had on the sticker on the computer. I wasn't able to authenticate using the license key. I tried to find a way to contact microsoft to get this sorted but I can't seem to find a way to contact their customer service that doesn't cost me money for some reason!

    I've been running linux on it which is great tbh but I'd like xp back for a few things, especially since I have a license for that computer!

    I have no idea if the license was OEM, how do I check that? And if it IS OEM, would changing the hard drive have caused me to be unable to get the license working? I left the old HDD in the bay and just put in the new drive and hooked up using those cables, so the original hard drive is there. I have no idea what happened it, I couldn't do anything with it.


Comments

  • #2
    woolymammoth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,772 ✭✭✭woolymammoth


    zoegh wrote: »
    I tried to find a way to contact microsoft to get this sorted but I can't seem to find a way to contact their customer service that doesn't cost me money for some reason!
    did you call the number they give you on the activation screen in XP? I haven't used it in years tbh, it's usually automated, no idea what the phone call costs.
    zoegh wrote: »
    I've been running linux on it which is great tbh but I'd like xp back for a few things, especially since I have a license for that computer!
    which things do you need from XP that you can't get from linux if you don't mind me asking?

    If it's a dell or a HP bought in bulk for a school, it was likely OEM. I'd say it's more of a case of the key not matching the disc you got. Capt'n Midnight knows more about licensing than i do though.


  • #3
    baby and crumble
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭baby and crumble


    yeah, I called the number on the screen and did all the stuff but it didn't connect me to a person, and when i put in the code it just said something like "this is not a valid activation key" and stopped the call.

    the main things are itunes and skype. I've tried pretty much every configuration under the sun to get some kind of system going for my ipods, but I'm not happy with any of the workarounds, I just want itunes working right. I think my skype problem is more an issue with my webcam drivers and mic drivers too, I just can't be arsed finding them for ubuntu...

    Thanks for the reply!


  • #4
    woolymammoth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,772 ✭✭✭woolymammoth


    ah! i get ya! I'll assume you've read all about the alternatives then. I quite like linux myself, but these are some of the reasons it always fails to succeed where it should excel. proprietary software makers locking themselves into their own little ecosystem when they could be open to the entire market. of course the alternative is to not buy an ipod! :p

    Your other option is to look and see what's wrong with the old hard disk. I mean, is it totally dead? as in, you connect the power and it doesn't spin up?
    If it spins up, is it visible in the bios? If it spins up, and isn't visible in the bios, maybe use a different cable (from CD drive?)? If it's not dead-dead, it may just be corrupt, and there are tools that can try to fix that. Might not work but worth a shot.


  • #5
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,591 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Make sure the disk matches the version on the sticker

    there are different sets of keys for
    OEM Home
    OEM Pro
    Retail Home
    Retail Pro
    Refurbished
    Volume license
    Media Centre

    I'm can't confirm that the keys for the differing upgrade versions and 64 bit versions and basic versions are also different but I'd pretty sure they are too.

    So double check that tie disk is the same OEM / Retail / Upgrade too
    if it's OEM it's best to find a disk from the same manufacturer as many of those will have the key already in the install which matches the BIOS of the machine

    Daft stuff - if the CD is service pack 3 then try an older CD ( who knows )
    If a very old machine then try a BIOS upgrade - doubt this would work unless it's a version from 2001


  • #6
    JonathanAnon
    Closed Accounts Posts: 23,718 ✭✭✭✭JonathanAnon


    Capt'n Midnight wrote: »
    Make sure the disk matches the version on the sticker
    OEM Home
    OEM Pro
    Retail Home
    Retail Pro
    Refurbished
    Volume license
    Media Centre

    Yeah I usually acquire an install CD with the exact same version and the exact same service pack level, and it usually works.. This is the first thing I would try..


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