Is it genuine?

Ensure the Product key matches the sticker on the laptop. (Sometimes the manufacturer uses an image and forgets to change the product key.)

You can check your currently installed product key by downloading SIW.exe from here: http://www.download3k.com/SIW/Download-Free-siw.exe.html
Run it
then click on the Operating System icon in the left panel. It will display the current Product Key being used in the right panel.

If you need to change the product key, do this:
Click start,
click run
type "c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe"
click Ok,
follow the prompts.


Hope this helps!

:o)

Christopher.

another tool you can use belarc found at www.belarc.com

it read you windows and other programs' product keys along with a lot of other info
Billy

What brand?

"What brand?"  I'm assuming you mean, "what brand of laptop".  It's an hp pavilion ze5000

The product key returned using KeyFinder does NOT match what is on the sticker.  Can I just change it to what the sticker says? Or what?

On Dell's . . HP's , , and many other Major OEM machines, they keyfinders will return the "Master Key" that they use to make an image wich they then install on individual machines . . As tge Bartebder said, the Key Finders will return that Master key, not the one that is on the bottom of the laptop.

You should be able to install using the Key on the sticker.

To pass validation, usually takes a short call to Microsoft .. . when you read the Key to them, be carefull with the B and 8 . . G and 6  . . they are easy to misread

ment to say . . " as the Bartender said" . . .

Bartender

I tried to run msoobe.exe like you suggested but nothing happens.  The hd light flickers some and then stops.  I'm looking a the desktop with no prompts.


The KeyFinder tool I used gave me the option to  1) change the Windows Key  or 2) Change Windows Reg Info

Should I try one of these?

Sorry.... the command is missing one part:

type "c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a"

Try that.

Hope this helps!

:o)

Bartender_1

Says Windows is already activated.  OK is only prompt.

Friends,  the KeyFinder tool I used gave me the option to change the product key which I tried to do (to match the key on the sticker on the bottom).  Even though I was super careful to enter exactly what the sticker said, it won't accept it.

Are you certain that the key on the sticker is to the Operating System that is actually installed on the computer?

(Double check to make sure that you're not trying to put a Windows XP Home Product Key on a Windows XP Pro Operating System installation.)

Bartender_1

2nd post first ... the OS of the laptop is XP-Home ... just like the sticker.

Now, Windows wants to activate.

It came up with the same product key as KeyFinder did (Not the one on the sticker).  So I entered the Poduct Key from the sticker and tried to activate.  Now Windows says I typed it in wrong.  I've checked and double-checked.

Do I dare call Microsoft?   Gulp

Sounds as if the sticker is for a different version of XP Home. (OEM vs Full install.)

You should be able to contact Microsoft and tell them what's going on. They may tell you that the version supported by the sticker is the OEM version and you have to contact the manufacturer though.

Bartender_1

When I look at the System Properties window under "Registered to:" it says, 55277-OEM-... ...".  Does that tell us anything?

That is typical of the OEM imaging . .

Well, realistically, it only tells us that someone put in an OEM number when it prompted for a name to register it to....

Try this:

Click start,
click run
type winver
click ok
Click on the "End-User License Agreement" link
Scroll to the bottom and tell us what the "EULAID" is.

Bartender_1

So .... are you all suggesting I go back to HP and see if I can get somebody there to help me iron this all out?  The prospect of calling them and trudging through the miriad steps to get to a real person who can help does not delight me much.  Isn't there some way to get around the whole thing?

EULAID:WX.2_HOM_OEM_EN

That's an OEM install then.

Is your sticker for an OEM or a retail version?

. . and if you do not get a helpfull person the first time . . hang up and call again . . .

Is your sticker for an OEM or a retail version?

Forgive my ignorance ... but how can I determine that?  It appears to be the sticker that came with the laptop from the beginning.

Check here to figure out which one you have:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/windows/quiz_coa.mspx?quizType=oem&compareButton=Compare+Now
:o)

Bartender_1

Stickers only come with OEM versions, so it is surely that. . .

Sorry.

I was sailing along in the "is it genuine" quiz until I got to the last question, "does your label say OEM just under Windows XP Home Edition?"   Nope.  It says HPQ

Microsoft says I need to contact the manufacturer to determine if my version of Windows is genuine.

What a pain!

That sucks.

At least now you have a lead.

Keep us posted on how it goes.

Bartender_1

Thank you, Lee.  I agree with your recommendation.