Windows Product Key Issues
 

Okay so I couldn't find an original windows cd so i downloaded a bootlegged one. I used that one to reinstall windows on my laptop. Now I have my product key sticker on my laptop hoping it would work but it didnt. So to install i used the bootlegged one and then tried to change the product key after the full install. Now its saying the legit product key isnt correct. Is there someway I can fix this? Do i need to call Microsoft tech support and get them to help me or something.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Why didn't you just hit F8 or what ever on your laptop and do a reinstall that way?

There are different types of license keys. OEM are typically used by brand name computers like yours, VLK for volume license (corporate, business, edu) and retail for your retail box copies.

Your laptop most likely has a Windows OEM key. You will need a Windows OEM install disc. Most of the ones on pirate bay are either corp or retail.

You should just look up if your laptop has a built in hidden partition for recovery.

i tried repairing but the virus was all over the place and i had to do a fresh install

i have a acer travelmate 4200. i dont know how i would search for the hidden partition

Not repair but recovery. It will reinstall everything and make it like you just bought it.

http://support.acer-euro.com/documen...Upgrade.v1.doc

Next time, please look at the manufacturer website. They will always have a section on system recovery. If the above does not work, I believe you have XP Home OEM. Pirate bay it.
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Yeah, the product key is specific to a version of Windows... so if the key is for WinXP Home, it definitely won't work if your bootlegged copy is WinXP Pro...

But even if the bootlegged copy is WinXP Home, it may work, but not guaranteed.

I've used an HP WinXP recovery CD to re-install a Dell laptop before though and got the original key on the Dell sticker to work.

that just shows how to do a backup. i found the partitioned drive but cannot get it to boot in it. it says hold alt f10 but that aint working either

Thanks guys i figured out to get my hidden partition to boot. i had a corrupted mbr file. once i fixed that i was able to reboot in recovery mode and use d2d