I have been asked to reload XP onto a Dell laptop.
The laptop has a licence sticker on the base, & I have been given a Win xp pro cd (sp2)
When I enter the serial no from the base of the laptop, I get an error that the number is wrong.
I have also tried to load XP Pro from one of my own cds, I have tried a first issue disk, sp1 disk, sp1a disk, and also an sp1a corporate disk, to find out if the correct xp disk was given to me. I got the same results.
Does anyone know why this serial number will not work? Or do I need to contact Microsoft.
There should be a selection that says "Telephone for Support" or something like that on the error screen....it prompts you to call Microsoft and get an activation code. (The screen gives you a bunch of numbers that you give to Microsoft over the phone.
Generally when this happens it means that license number is in use on another computer.
As soon as I type in the number & click next, I am informed that the number is wrong. So
it doesnt get far enough to give me the MS contact screen, & the pc was working fine but slowly until the owner asked me to reformat & reload it to clear out all the junk their kids had installed.
Originally it was probably using one of Dells volume licence numbers. But that shouldnt stop it from accepting its own licenced number. Ive never had this problem in the past.
At the worst the operating system normally installs, then Microsoft has to be phoned to activate it. But not in this case.
If you use the Dell Reinstallation disc, you will not normally be asked for the Product Key. The Product Key on the side of the tower ( bottom of laptop ) is only valid if used on an OEM version of XP
You need the license key for the disk you are using. Evidently you don't have that? And you cannot use one if it is currently in use on another computer.
I think your other alternative is to order the Dell OEM CD from them.
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Tech Support Guy
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