I have a Windows XP Pro, laptop. It is a IBM Thinkpad T42, one gig of RAM.
The hard drive took a dump so I got another one. I took the XP Pro cd, inserted it and installed it.
It worked fine and then as I was setting up everything and it got to where ya enter the Product key, thats where my headaches began.
On the setup screen , it asks for me to enter the " Product Key". I looked on the bottom of the laptop where the COA sticjer is and put that 25 didgit code in. When I hit "next", an error message pops up and syas that " The cd KEYyou enetered is not valid".
I called Microsoft and they told me to call IBM. I called IBM and they said to call Microsoft, and BUY a new key.
Why would I have to buy a new key ? There is nothing wrong with the one on the bottom of the laptop ! All I did was put in a new hard drive ! I'm confused !!! I've never had to buy a key before when a hard drive went bad before.
Any suggestions ?
Recommended Answers
Jump to PostTry again to enter your key, it is highly likely that you have miss-typed the key. Recheck every number/letter. When you have your sticker on your machine with the key it should work, unless, you are not using the original CD that came with the PC.
Is the installation CD …
Jump to PostThe original OS CD should work when you find it.
Jump to PostThe disc is from a Dell product.... I think. I'm still trying to locate the one form this IBM product. I typed the KEY in correctly, I even used a magnafying glass....... my eyes arn't the best :)
That there is your problem! Get the correct disk and you should …
Jump to PostYou can ask your friends if they have one or ask a small computer repair shop, as long as you use the disc for that machine it will not matter who's disc it is, just ensure that you enter the product key fro your PC.
Jump to PostThe hard drive took a dump so I got another one. I took the XP Pro cd, inserted it and installed it.
It worked fine and then as I was setting up everything and it got to where ya enter the Product key, thats where my headaches began.The poster …
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