[afnam70]

Hi, I just bought a used dell w/xp. I added another hard drive for storage, now it wants the 25 alpha numeric code. I entered the code of the machine, but, the thing says it is invalid!! any ideas?

 

[Old Rich]

Did you reinstall XP? . . did you enter the code that is on the sticker on the side of the tower ( or bottom of a laptop)?

 

[ozrom1e]

Sounds like you bought an invalid operating system it might be time to purchase another OS for this computer or try calling Microsaoft to try and get a legal key code which probably would be cheaper.

 

[steven1350]

Windows XP uses hardare to generate its product key. Since you changed some hardware, the key will naturally change accordingly.

Call microsoft and explain your situitation, and they should give you a new key (no idea if its free or not)


**ozrom1e, you could have a perfectly legit copy of XP and still get that message

 

[afnam70]

I took a 80 gig harddrive, took the master ribbon cable and hooked it up and formatted then tryed to enter the code on the side of the machine and it told me me it was invalid! Then i tried to use an xp disc I borrowed and it said the same thing.

 

[Old Rich]

You need an OEM version of the install disc to match up with the code on the sticker