Windows XP Serial Number Question

This is sort of a noob question but I'll continue...

My friend is using xp pro and he's trying to set it up but it says "invalid serial number", any ideas?

 

He is typing it in wrong, or it is incorrect

 

What is the deal with XP CD's? Do the CD's only work with one CD key or can you use any "valid" XP key?

I have a friend that got a new system and for whatever reason it had Win2k on it. She wanted XP Pro and she had a sticker on the side of the system with an XP Pro key. I tried using two of my XP Pro discs that I have used for myself (one was an upgrade, one was full, both were retail MS discs not OEM) but I got the same error, CD key invalid. It is a valid MS key, but it wouldn't work with my XP CD's. Anyone know how come?

Also, is there a way around this? Could I enter in the Product key that I am using on my own systems and then change it using a program that will change the product key to the one on the side of the system and will I be able to activate by doing this?

Thanks......

 

OEM keys work only with OEM CDs.
Retail keys only work with retail CDs.
Upgrade keys only work with upgrade CDs.
Home keys only work with Home CDs.

Etc.

There is no legal way around it.

 

Ahhh, now I know.

So to be more specific, would an OEM CD that came with an IBM work with an OEM Product key on the side of a Dell? Or vice versa?

What about my 2nd question, what if I entered in a product key but changed it after the install but before activation? I don't think of this as being illegal as long as the product key has not already been activated already, right?

 

Theoretically, an OEM Dell key would work on an IBM CD, but its illegal.
Shouldn't really be an issue if the product key is still on the computer case.

2nd question: Theoretically, yes.
--Still not legal.

There are plenty of ways to do things if your morals are low enough

 

There are plenty of ways to do things if your morals are low enough [/QUOTE]


Just trying to help a friend, but thanks. To me the 2nd option is more legal than trying to erase the activation. LoL. Which I have never tried.