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General discussion

Product key from XP upgrade work on XP full retail version?

by Victor.Z Jun 8, 2006 1:47AM PDT

Hello everyone!

I have a colleague who has upgraded from windows 98 to windows XP. She got a local techie to do the upgrade for her, although i'm told that instead of using an actual windows xp upgrade cd, a full retail version was used and he formatted the drive and performed a clean install. When the install program asked for the product key, my colleague told him to use key that had already been used to activate another computer in the office (without knowing the consequences that would have).
So now the 30 day grace period has ended and she is required to activate the system, but it seems that she cannot activate it over the internet, since this product key has already been used on another machine.
What i'm hoping you can answer is whether we can use a new product key from an upgrade cd or whether we will have to purchase a full retail version of xp home and use the product key from that. I'm hoping we can just use a product key from an upgrade, because that is what we have effectively done, (not to mention the upgrade cd's are half the price of the full versions).... but the cd that was used to install windows was not an upgrade cd and when windows was installed it was a fresh, clean install.

Any help at all is appreciated!

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
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Tell her to
by Themisive Jun 8, 2006 1:52AM PDT

Go to that Tech and confront him with the not so helpful results of his "help". Also demand that the job be done as she asked, not how he felt, and at his expense.

If he gets stroppy tell her to report him to Microsoft for software piracy.

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She's somewhat embarrassed about providing the wrong key...
by Victor.Z Jun 8, 2006 2:04AM PDT

She didn't know the significance of her actions, and even if it was the techie's responsibility to tell her, that's not the route she wants to go. Either way, we would have to buy a new copy of Windows xp. I'm just wondering at this point if we can use an upgrade copy or if we need the full version.

Thanks again

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It can be the upgrade, but...
by John.Wilkinson Jun 8, 2006 3:16AM PDT

The upgrade version of Windows XP requires a valid copy of/license for a previous qualifying version of Windows. While the currently-installed version of Windows does not qualify (the license is not valid for her use), but the previous Windows 98 would qualify provided she still has the CD and product key. What I'd try is clicking here for instructions on updating the product key.

If it denies her, back up all important files and data then perform a fresh installation. She can either install Windows 98 then upgrade to Windows XP, or install XP directly and insert the Windows 98 CD to validate the upgrade license. It's a little longer, but this would ensure the $100+ savings.

Even though she doesn't want a confrontation, I'd still suggest that she speak to the tech. The tech probably did know, but if not he/she would probably be thankful for being informed so that he/she doesn't do it again.

Hope this helps,
John

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(NT)
by ask4anu Jun 8, 2006 10:02AM PDT

Product keys are embedded to each cd you get and will not work with one another MICROSOFT SECURITY MOVE #1
to keep you from using THAT SAME CD ON say 500
computers now if you buy a corperate KEY then you may use that master key on any and all computers you want AND THEY AINT CHEAP Cool

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Keep your old OS until they make it obsolete
by Newtimer Jun 9, 2006 2:24AM PDT

This thing of not allowing an OS to be used on more than one computer is a change that seems to be just to make money on something that was expected to be a part of the purchase. Nevertheless I am sure it can be re-engineered. Why not keep the old OS without all the updates. Hackers are not interested much in home OSs anyway. Only avid internet users/tinkerers subject themselves to problems. How about a computer that does not go online and just reinstall XP every 30 days or so or use Linux (which will probably increase in popularity anyway, after MS obviously keeps taking money out of your back pocket using tactics like this).

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(NT) (NT) No COMMENT :
by ask4anu Jun 9, 2006 2:12PM PDT
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OK, a little clarity.
by CamsComputers Aug 29, 2007 12:46AM PDT

The CD itself can be used millions of times if desired, it is just the product key. There is always the option of using a cd for windows 98 and using an upgrade copy of XP. You can try to do a repair install of windows and just insert the old cd, but it's the unused key that is important. You can also try to use the change product key feature of the activation wizard. Sometimes you can switch your product key there and avoid a lot of problems, but chances are that would only work if you had another full retail key.

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Since this discussion is now over a year old
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Aug 29, 2007 5:17AM PDT

I would guess the original poster has cleared their question up, one way or another.

Mark

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Not clear.
by Kees Bakker Aug 29, 2007 6:07AM PDT

You don't pay for the CD. You pay for the license. What did you pay the tech for? And how much?

Kees

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