Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

windows Xp product key problems

Nov 29, 2012 5:12AM PST

I'm trying to repair a windows xp installation

The product key on the actual computer isn't working. I think that means that the version of Windows that is installed isn't the same one it came with. The version of windows that is seemingly different, the one I'm repairing with, it's product key isn't working either. (I checked it on the CD on another PC)

How do I go about repairing/doing a brand new install of windows when the product key found on the disc doesn't even work for said disc?

... All the codes I've tried should work. The Key found on the PC doesn't work, and the Key found on the disc I'm repairing with doesn't work either. I really don't get it at this point.......

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Add a little more detail.
Nov 29, 2012 5:27AM PST

If you had told me it was a Dell or other name I'd have an answer for you. Those keys are for that maker's issue of this OS. Those keys rarely work with the retail XP CDs you may have. So rarely that I know better.
Bob

- Collapse -
reply
Nov 29, 2012 5:39AM PST

Nah it's a Gateway GT5082

- Collapse -
Gateways are even worse than the Dell in this area.
Nov 29, 2012 5:47AM PST

I've never seen Gateway or Acer numbers work on a retail issued XP OS CD.

Now you know. Try Acer/Gateway's site and it's cheaper to order the restore media than it is to get a new license and spend days sorting out drivers.
Bob

- Collapse -
Trying to resurrect my brothers ancient gateway
Nov 29, 2012 6:06AM PST

I figured out beside the product key on the Gateway that the OS is 'Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005'. It's my brother computer and I don't remember seeing a disc for that version of windows. I'm trying to repair it with Windows XP Pro SP2 which is from my other PC, which code should it be asking for then?

Shouldn't the code work for the disc I'm repairing it with? I'm just confused as to which code it's even asking me for

- Collapse -
No the code is not supposed to work with most found XP's
Nov 29, 2012 7:40AM PST

I'm going out on a limb here but XP Media Center 2005 was never a retail version. I saw OEM packs years ago but most were tailored and locked to the maker's PCs.

It's good you are learning this first hand. Many folk don't get to do this.
Bob