I'm sure this is going to make me sound like I'm attempting to be illegal but I'm most definitely not. I was unfortunate enough to have a virus infect my computer and I couldn't get rid of it because McAfee wasn't detecting it even though it kept reporting I had a virus (it didn't make much sense). After several attempts to reinstall Windows I was finally able to get it reinstalled. Windows wants me to activate it as expected but it's rejecting my product key even though I'm typing it exactly as I see it on my certificate of authenticity. I've double- and triple-checked every time I've typed it in. I don't want to pay $99 for a new key since my parents are filing for bankruptcy and I don't have any money myself. I was wondering if anyone knew why it's rejecting my key or a way to remedy the situation because I can't update Windows if it's not activated (because of the damn authentication Microsoft does now) and I won't be able to use Windows in 30 days if I don't activate it. So I need some help.
Contact Microsoft...they might charge you for it ($39.95 is the usual), but it's better than buying a new damn key. They might be able to authenticate your version of Windows by taking your product key, etc...and provide you with a different one.
The only problem is that I don't have any extra money and my parents don't have a credit card I can use. Since I have a Dimension 2400 I figured I'd ask on Dell's forums. Someone told me I had to make sure I was typing the right characters like 0 as opposed to O and 8 as opposed to B. I doublechecked everything and the only character that would've been a hassle was the 8 in the first five characters of the key. I used both a B and an 8. Neither worked. I really don't want to pay for anything since my parents are so broke it's not even funny.
Hmm... You might be able to get away with the call to MS...just as soon as they ask you for your credit card number, hang up Anyways, that's interesting...it really shouldn't be doing that to you, as the key is definitely valid...unless, of course, your sticker is bogus (probably not)... And I'm sure you've heard me say this before, but Dell sucks. Ignore that, it's my usual rant Anyways, try calling Dell and see what they can do - 1-800-624-9896 for tech support.
Apparently, when you completely reinstall Windows using a Dell CD, it's not supposed to ask you to activate Windows. For some reason, Windows is asking me to activate it when it's not supposed to. I think the people on Dell's forums think I'm asking for a key for my illegal copy of Windows even though I most definitely don't have an illegal copy. My sticker isn't bogus, I've used the key before to activate Windows. But it's just not accepting it.
If it was a Dell 'system restore CD', it may work for a reinstall. Dell's CDs are full of lovely .CAB files, and since they're proprietary to them, I'm not too sure what might happen with it. If you want the Windows CDs, I think Dell actually charges you somewhere in the realm of 70 bucks plus S&H to send them out...which really, really sucks...but that may be your option now...
You could always download a copy of XP and use your key with it, since you do already have a license for it.
You're posting right now...have you successfully completed the Windows installation on your computer and now it's just asking you to activate? Or is it not even installed and you're using a different computer to post? If it's installed but not activated, then you're using the wrong number if you're using the product key from the sticker on your computer. There should be an option to activate online, and just do that and it should work.
Installation was generally a success as far as I know. Windows is just asking me to activate it now. I really only need to activate it so I can download all those stupid updates so my computer doesn't explode or grow legs and walk out of my house in the middle of the night. The method I'm using is to activate it online. I never do anything via telephone because that's just dumb. I'm copying the product key directly from the certificate of authenticity on the side of my tower. I've used it before, that's why I don't know why it won't accept it anymore.
I don't know what I did but I managed to reinstall Windows once again with no problems and it didn't ask me to activate it. What ever I managed to do worked because I don't have this problem anymore. Thanks for everyone's help though!
a new microsoft policy and a warning to all: whenever you get a new motherboard, your going to need to get a new windows. don't ask me how or why, it's just a way for them stop "piracy" according to them.