I had a computer built and when I try to activate windows XP professional it says that the product key is invalid.  I can not reach the person who built the computer.  I seen windows costs $299.00.  Would I be better off saving up and buying a new tower that comes with windows?  Is there any way to buy a legitimate key code?  Is there anything else I can do since I do not have $299.00???
203759
You can use Linux operating system for free. you can also use some Linux live CDs like Knoppix or Slax.
570689
Without directing you to an illegal site, this information cannot be provided.\n\nThere is no free (and legal) way to download and install Windows XP.
463637
no i got mine at my college at $20 for the xp. The price was great and the program work fine.
367893
you can not use that win xp cd. you cant install  it is (OEM) version microsoft will not help you . that version is for 1 pc not 200 pc's even if you find a product key for that  your still have to actiavte it with in 30 days by phone with microsoft & that is where it will not be done b/c you have .da wrong product key & windows will not loginto desktop in 30 days
311958
No, you aren't in trouble, but you do apparently have a bogus or pirated copy of XP.  Where did you get it?  If you bought it, you should have a key affixed to the CD case.  Try it again, making sure you aren't making some error, caps lock on, etc.  It's easy to mix up a B with an 8, that type of thing.  If it still won't work take it up with the seller.  If it's an OEM that came with the computer, look for a restore disk.  Worse case scenario is you will have to purchase a good copy of XP.  If you were ripped off by a retailer, and are willing to give MS the information about it, they may give you a discount to get it fixed.
177235
You shouldn't have to pay Microsoft money to fix holes in a product that they sold you.  Why don't they make it secure in the first place?  And if they do know how to secure their OS, then they should fix it.\n\n'Here's the best personal computer advice you'll get all year, perhaps ever: If you only use Windows, dump it and get a Mac. Take the $50 you would have wasted for trying to secure the Windows mess, add in all of your annual wasted time and the costs of your other Windows anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software plus the processor cycles you waste running them, and apply it toward your .Mac subscription instead. Don't forget to ask your software vendors to "cross-grade" your software (pay the upgrade price - or in some cases just the shipping cost - to switch from the Windows version to the Mac version, instead of the full retail price - many vendors will accommodate you). You'll come out so far ahead, you'll think you've jumped forward a decade - which, of course, would be true.'
293772
I suppose the price you paid for the low cost system has already included the Windows license, that's why you got the sticker.\n\nSo I see no problem you install the OS yourself (using the serial on the sticker) after getting a harddisk
566225
i just bought an eMachines T 6410 four months ago.  The firewall never worked right.  I keep it disabled so that I  can run my email.\nAfter using my computer for about a month, a little star appeared in the botton right of my computer (right next to the time).The star would produce a little pop up to tell me that my version of windows xp is not genuine and that I can purchase a Genuine windows licence.  I've been ignoring it because I have all the paperwork for the xp and the genuine sticker is on the back of my computer.  It is a pain though.
118124
Hello Needy:\n\nThe pirated software you have is no good because it requires you to register with Microsoft over the internet. If you dont register, your software will be deactivated with reduced functionality. If you register online, you will be prompted to convert your software into a genuine  copy. It may cost you around $200-$300. Gone are the days when one could use a pirated copy of XP/OFFICE and other Microsoft products.\n\nSorry, you have to BUY the software license.
237473
Find one on eBay! You'll probably want a branded one if you are not much of a computer person. They also come with technical support and really they are quite cheaper than if you had someone build you one from scratch. This is because a giant like Dell gets their parts in huge quantities and therfore pays MUCH less than a small computer shop would. The savings is passed on to you. And, if you ever decide to sell your PC and get a newer one, you'll find it easier to sell a branded and modeled unit versus a no-namer.
561664
Its the new Windows update that we received. If you installed a windows XP platform from a CD that did not come with your computer, then it will  have that check. If you did buy a legit copy and if it did indeed come with your computer, then you need to call Microsoft and receive a genuine key that will be linked to your PC. They first check your computer and do a scan to see if you ever registered your Windows with Microsoft and they match it up to the key that you used to install Windows. If you bought the PC used, its possible that the previous owner screwed you over.\n\nTo fix this problem, you will need to either \na) Do a search for WGATRAY.EXE and WGALOGON.DLL in your C drive and delete them. You might want to make a copy of them and put them in a different folder, just in case, but if you delete them it should go away.\nor \nb) Reinstall windows and next time your windows does an update for the genuine check, omit it or bypass it.\n\nBy the way, if you need more options, just contact me. I have like 20 options to get rid of it.
512694
This is a tricky one, because regardless of how this goes, you will have to reactivate your copy of XP.  The CD license installed by HP has a number that is computed from all of the parts in your system, including the MoBo Chipset.  If you are replacing with an HP original part, it may work.  If you are replacing it with a different manufactured MoBo, it probably will not.  You can call Microsoft and tell tehm that you had to replace your MoBo and they can guide you through the reactivation process.  Keep in mind that once you do this, you can not do it again regardless of the CD-Key you have.  Hope this helps
503588
Some software providers may still have them for sale.\nBut almosy everyone has been selling XP for years.\nWhat happened to yours?\nWhy can't you upgrade to XP?\nIf yours is damaged, you may be able to get a replacement from MS. If it's lost, make a backup copy next time.
340708
Absolutely.  Use your recovery discs that were provided by the manufacturer or that you created when you bought your computer.  If you do not have these recovery discs, you may order them from the manufacturer in most cases for a measly 40 to 60 bucks.  That's a heck of a lot cheaper than purchasing Windows XP, which costs a grand total of about 250 bucks plus tax.\n\nWhen you do get your recovery discs from the manufacturer, I suggest you simply power on the pc, open your disc drive, then powering off again using the button immediately.  Insert the first recovery disc with the pc powered off (they should come clearly labeled).  Now when you turn your computer on the installation of windows will start automatically.  Just follow the prompts, it will tell you when you need to insert a new disc.\n\nBy the way, don't try to reinstall Windows using system recovery discs from another pc unless it is the exact same make and model as your own.  For example, don't try using discs from a dell inspiron 5150 on a different model of inspiron, or on a different brand such as Toshiba.  It never works, and you'll end up with more headaches than you want.  When you do get the discs, make sure they Operating System on the Discs  matches the sticker on your computer.  Each machine is designed for a specific OS when it is created, so don't try to mix up Windows XP Pro discs and a Windows XP home computer, unless of course you have the actual WIndows discs.  If you have Windows discs with a key that works, you can probably install whatever OS you want.\n\nAlso... if you were having issues in the first place in which you thought you needed to have the pc set back to the factory settings, you may have a failing hard drive.  Just depends on the symptoms you encountered.  If you nuked your pc because of software issues, then getting the discs as I described above should be all you need.\n\nGood luck!
654209
you tap the F8 key to get to the menu for last known good configuration.\nIf you need the cd, you can get it from compaq, if they are not availiable, there are a couple of third party online companies that sell them, or you could just install windows xp with someone else's cd and use your code on the case
132171
Well, unlike Butchell, I will ASSUME you purchased a legal copy and are having problems.  If this is the case you might need to contact Microsoft licensing to unlock your code.  Did you change hardware to the point where it locked you?  If you have an OEM license, you need to understand that license is bound to the physical hardware of the PC.  Changing any internal component (even a video card) voids the license and Microsoft expects you to buy a new license (yes...seriously...I just talked to their licensing support about this like a week ago)\n\nHowever, if Butchell is right and you are using an illegal license there is a way to break the license and enter a new one.  Do a search for "change XP license" in google and you will find a few ways to do it.
484294
Yes you can get away with the Windows XP Pro Upgrade....I know someone that did the same thing. They had a bootleg copy of XP Pro on their machine and started having problems and they bought XP Pro Upgrade and did a upgrade and his is legal and works great now..Just do a upgrade when asked not a  new install( which you can do with the upgrade disk)..Windows Vista won't be out for another 6-8mnths and then it will be in the beta stage and will have bag bugs and need fixes for atleast 1yr after that. XP Professional is no obsolete yet it will be the main stay for atleast 2 more yrs. Then Windows Media and Vista will be the norm. What ever happened to Windows Longhorn......Thanks