Serial # trouble for win XP

[Rick McLaughlin]

Hi,

I recently bought a computer at an auction with windows XP on it but when I try to download the upgrade Windows XP Service Pack 1 (Express)* it responds by telling me that "The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid.. etc. Now I'm guessing that the SOB that owned this computer has an illegal copy of Windows XP installed on it but my dilemma is that I can't afford to buy the software that I thought I had already bought and paid for. Can ANYONE help me out? If so, please contact me at (e-mail address removed).

Thanking you in advance.
Rick

 

[Geoff]

You are correct in your assumptions.
Only way round this is to purchase a genuine copy on XP
unfortunately.
Your existing licence key will be contained in MS
database as illegal and that wont change.

Regards

Geoff

-----Original Message-----
Hi,

I recently bought a computer at an auction with

windows XP on it but when I try to download the upgrade
Windows XP Service Pack 1 (Express)* it responds by
telling me that "The Product Key used to install Windows
is invalid.. etc. Now I'm guessing that the SOB that
owned this computer has an illegal copy of Windows XP
installed on it but my dilemma is that I can't afford to
buy the software that I thought I had already bought and
paid for. Can ANYONE help me out? If so, please contact
me at (e-mail address removed).

 

[Van T. Dinh]

.... and you want to continue to use the illegal copy???

--
HTH
Van T. Dinh
MVP (Access)



Hi,

I recently bought a computer at an auction with windows XP on it but
when I try to download the upgrade Windows XP Service Pack 1 (Express)* it
responds by telling me that "The Product Key used to install Windows is
invalid.. etc. Now I'm guessing that the SOB that owned this computer has
an illegal copy of Windows XP installed on it but my dilemma is that I can't
afford to buy the software that I thought I had already bought and paid for.
Can ANYONE help me out? If so, please contact me at (e-mail address removed).

Thanking you in advance.
Rick

 

[BJ Freeman]

I suggest you go back to the person you bought it from.
Then if no satisfaction, write a letter with receipt return expressing the same thing and the notes of the conversation you had.
if no satisfaction then Take them to small claims court, as well as notify MS.
Hi,

I recently bought a computer at an auction with windows XP on it but when I try to download the upgrade Windows XP Service Pack 1 (Express)* it responds by telling me that "The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid.. etc. Now I'm guessing that the SOB that owned this computer has an illegal copy of Windows XP installed on it but my dilemma is that I can't afford to buy the software that I thought I had already bought and paid for. Can ANYONE help me out? If so, please contact me at (e-mail address removed).

Thanking you in advance.
Rick

 

[George Hester]

The important question here is what would you like us to do? In other words how can we help you other than telling you what you probably already know. Take it up with the seller. Would Microsoft understand that you were involved in an illegal transaction and DO something to help you? Like give you a new operating system? Mmm...

--
George Hester
__________________________________
Hi,

I recently bought a computer at an auction with windows XP on it but when I try to download the upgrade Windows XP Service Pack 1 (Express)* it responds by telling me that "The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid.. etc. Now I'm guessing that the SOB that owned this computer has an illegal copy of Windows XP installed on it but my dilemma is that I can't afford to buy the software that I thought I had already bought and paid for. Can ANYONE help me out? If so, please contact me at (e-mail address removed).

Thanking you in advance.
Rick

 

[Rick McLaughlin]

Thank you for your suggestions. I am trying to contact the group that sold me the PC and get some satisfaction out of them although I feel I will be screwed in the end. As for the person who asked the question "And you are still going to use it?" the answer is yes. I feel I paid for it and as I said, I am not in a financial position to purchase the software and won't be for some time. I will however, report it to Microsoft and NO, I do not expect them to be kind, generous, understanding or even polite when it comes right down to it. They have a very larger reputation of being self fulfilling and to hell with the user, so I'm sure I will be on my own.

Thanks again for your help. It is appreciated.

Rick McLaughlin