XP Activation Problem

[theexcession]

Here's the story.

I've got a Dell PC that came with XP Professional, I soon ditched that and installed a copy of 2K.

Now I've used the Dell installation CD to put a fresh copy of XP Pro onto an older machine (not a Dell) but when I try and activate it it tells me that the product key is incorrect.

Is there something stupid I'm doing wrong here of will this product key only work with a Dell PC?

thanks
Ex

[theexcession]

Ahhh, now I understand, when this version was originally activated on the Dell PC a bunch of hardware info was sent a recorded against the Serial number, this means that the activation key will only work on the same system.

Anyone know a way around this?

thanks
Ex

[_dobbo_]

theexcession said:

Ahhh, now I understand, when this version was originally activated on the Dell PC a bunch of hardware info was sent a recorded against the Serial number, this means that the activation key will only work on the same system. Anyone know a way around this? thanks Ex

think you would have to contact microsoft - quick phone call should sort it.

[aldi]

You'l have to do a telephone activation - they might give you 20 questions about what PC you're installing it on, where you bought it etc then activate it for you, or they might just activate it for you. Worth a shot.

[theexcession]

_dobbo_ said:

think you would have to contact microsoft - quick phone call should sort it.

You'd think so eh? Well apparently according some fella in India, because it's an OEM version of the software it cannot be installed on any other machine, ever, no matter what.

fecking bollox or what?

Now if only I could find my old Win2K cd.

[BliarOut]

Just get a cracked one Ex

[theexcession]

BliarOut said:

Just get a cracked one Ex

http://keygen.us/search.shtml?q=xp%20activation

Nope, you didn't hear it from me. No Sir. Absoultely not.

[_dobbo_]

theexcession said:

_dobbo_ said: think you would have to contact microsoft - quick phone call should sort it. You'd think so eh? Well apparently according some fella in India, because it's an OEM version of the software it cannot be installed on any other machine, ever, no matter what. fecking bollox or what? Now if only I could find my old Win2K cd.

I guess you might get away with a little lie to say you upgraded processor, hard drive and memory, and need to re-activate on the same PC...

[TeamD]

Exactly...

"Yessir! The motherboard failed and I couldn't get a replacement that supported my CPU, oh sure, it's the same box (case?), er, what was that stupid long number again?"