MS XP product key doesn't work!

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alexv · #1 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:47 pm

Hi,
After some work with W'XP I get pre-installed on my T60 I reformatted my HDD to get couple of other OSs. Now I want to return back to my original XP setup. I boot up my T60 with the disk came with the T60 "Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP Professional" to install one from scratch. It required the product key I input from a nice hologram label on the bottom on my T60. Windows refused this key! I verified the key was correct, as on the MS' label, but Windows doesn't like one! I call to Lenovo tech support and a kind person advised me do not use the product key what is attached the computer! She said, it is never work. I called for support today and a kind representative, but very unfamiliar with the product he has to support, switched me for his manager Dave. Dave didn't help me ether, but he was extrimly unpleasant, to talk with. My experience to talk to Dave is difficult and unpleasant. He is not supposed to work with people at all.
The bottom line is: How to reinstall W'XP from scratch on the T60 with product key came with the PC?
Thanks,
Alex

#2 Post by **richk** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 2:44 pm

If you use recovery partition or the disks created from the recovery partition, it never asks for the COA number.

alexv · #3 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 3:16 pm

There is a problem to use recovery partition - it doesn't exist

. The HDD had been re-formated several times so far.

#4 Post by **richk** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:04 pm

You are going to need recovery disks. Often if you post a message with a description that says you need recovery disks and include your 4-digit machine type, a member will provide them for duplication cost.

alexv · #5 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:18 pm

richk,
Couple of questions:
1. How to get recovery disks?
2. Why I cannot install the W'XP again? Why Lenovo install the Windows on my T60, asked me to pay for Windows license and had change the rule - now it is a one time installation license, I cannot install Windows as many times as I want on the same T60? I see, Lenovo violated the license agreement. Do you agree?
regards

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 6:26 pm

I don't understand your questions. I agree with RichK, you need recovery discs. You can either purchase them from Lenovo or post a message on the Marketplace forum here asking for a member to sell (or give) you a copy.

ArtShapiro · #7 Post by **ArtShapiro** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:33 pm

Harryc wrote:I don't understand your questions.

Harry, it seems rather a reasonable question to me. If he has a standard XP key (five five-character hyphenated fields) on the bottom of his machine, one would think he should be able to do an installation from scratch, given a standard Windows installation CD of the same genre - home/pro, corporate/standard, flip top/soft pack

etc. etc.

Art

#8 Post by **richk** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:36 pm

There are many kinds of XP keys. Some go with OEM disks, some go with upgrades, some go with corporate mass licenses. You cannot use one kind of key with the other kind od disk.

#9 Post by **bill bolton** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:38 pm

alexv wrote:"Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP Professional" to install one from scratch

That's a "retail" copy of XP! It should have come with a retail key in the package.

The key on the COA on the bottom of your ThinkPad is an "OEM" key that is issued to Lenovo by Microsoft. The OEM key will only work with an OEM version of XP (those are Microsoft's rules, not Lenovo's).

You need to talk to Mircosoft about what to do next.

Cheers,

Bill B.

#10 Post by **bill bolton** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 7:48 pm

alexv wrote:2. Why I cannot install the W'XP again?

You can't do it easily because you don't have the recovery partition or the recovery disk set that should have been burnt when the machine was intially received.

Neither of those are Lenovo's fault, as the T60 left the factory with all you needed to be able to reinstall at any time if the instructions are followed.

You should still be able to do a reinstall with what you have, but you will need to convince Microsoft to accept the COA on the bottom of your ThinkPad and give you the appropriate activation codes to allow the you to use the retail XP image, but be prepared to spend some time on the phone explaining....

Cheers,

Bill B.

alexv · #11 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:21 pm

What I get from the discussion so far:
1. Lenovo sells W'XP professional as 1 time installed OS. Is Microsoft aware the W'XP Professional, OEM version when it sold to end user by Lenovo is not going to be reinstall from scratch? I have a desktops from HP and DELL - I reformatted their HDD many times and returned back with the MS OEM CD what came with each PC. Means Lenovo does sell of Microsoft product on very special conditions, very different from the HP and DELL. Lenovo didn't informed me, as an end user, about this special conditions. Looks like MS license violation.
2. If Harry is right and I need to pay extra money to use the MS CD to reinstall my Windows from scratch - I see the reason why Lenovo doesn't allow to reinstall Windows multiple times on the same PC. Lenovo gets the MS OEM W"XP to preinstall and to do 1 time sale, but Lenovo wants to get money for each installation from the same CD. Multiple payments from one sale - nice business! Dirty company.
3. Bill, the CD plastic box has a label 'Not for Resale' - it is an OEM CD and Lenovo is the only party responsible to support factory installed product. Because Lenovo representative said the product key from the bottom PC not suppose to work and didn't provide an other product key to install W'XP from scratch - sounds like Lenovo gives up to support W'XP and replace support business by sell 'recovery disks'. Looks like other license violation and misinform end user about paid support only

The bottom line question: Am I alone who needs to re-install W'XP from scratch? How other guys did it? Do I have to sue Lenovo for MS license violation and for end user rights violation to reinstall XP on my T60 or there is a peaceful way to install XP?
Thanks

#12 Post by **jdhurst** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:40 pm

alexv wrote:What I get from the discussion so far:
1. Lenovo sells W'XP professional as 1 time installed OS. Wrong
Is Microsoft aware the W'XP Professional, OEM version when it sold to end user by Lenovo is not going to be reinstall from scratch? I have a desktops from HP and DELL - I reformatted their HDD many times and returned back with the MS OEM CD what came with each PC. You can do the same thing with Lenovo

Means Lenovo does sell of Microsoft product on very special conditions, very different from the HP and DELL. Wrong
Lenovo didn't informed me, as an end user, about this special conditions. Looks like MS license violation. Wrong

2. If Harry is right and I need to pay extra money to use the MS CD to reinstall my Windows from scratch - I see the reason why Lenovo doesn't allow to reinstall Windows multiple times on the same PC. Lenovo gets the MS OEM W"XP to preinstall and to do 1 time sale, but Lenovo wants to get money for each installation from the same CD. Multiple payments from one sale - nice business! Dirty company. Wrong again

<snip>

You are missing the point here (sorry to be brusque, but the point has been made more than once).

When you buy a Lenovo, it comes with a recovery partition. You can re-install your OS as often as you wish. I know - I do it.

If you blow away your partition as you did or was done to you, you can purchase Recovery CD's for the media cost. I know - I did it.

From Recovery CD's, you can re-image the computer, and then re-install the OS as often as you wish. I know - I do this myself.

Please take time to understand the facts before you accuse Lenovoe of doing the wrong things.

... JDH

meh · #13 Post by **meh** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:40 pm

alexv wrote:What I get from the discussion so far:
1. Lenovo sells W'XP professional as 1 time installed OS. Is Microsoft aware the W'XP Professional, OEM version when it sold to end user by Lenovo is not going to be reinstall from scratch? I have a desktops from HP and DELL - I reformatted their HDD many times and returned back with the MS OEM CD what came with each PC. Means Lenovo does sell of Microsoft product on very special conditions, very different from the HP and DELL. Lenovo didn't informed me, as an end user, about this special conditions. Looks like MS license violation.

No, it is not "one time installed". All ThinkPads which come with a Windows image from the factory come with an OEM license. However, Lenovo does not provide restore CDs with the machine - you have to burn this yourself. It's a cost-saving measure that many, if not all, companies are taking with prebuilt computers. If you kept the restore partition, you could have restored XP from it at any time; or you could have burned a set of restore discs.

alexv wrote:2. If Harry is right and I need to pay extra money to use the MS CD to reinstall my Windows from scratch - I see the reason why Lenovo doesn't allow to reinstall Windows multiple times on the same PC. Lenovo gets the MS OEM W"XP to preinstall and to do 1 time sale, but Lenovo wants to get money for each installation from the same CD. Multiple payments from one sale - nice business! Dirty company.

I'm not really understanding what you mean by this - you got the OEM license key. That's all you need. The restore discs you could have burned yourself; since you didn't, you either have to a) buy a set of restore discs from Lenovo or b) find an OEM disc elsewhere.

alexv wrote:3. Bill, the CD plastic box has a label 'Not for Resale' - it is an OEM CD and Lenovo is the only party responsible to support factory installed product. Because Lenovo representative said the product key from the bottom PC not suppose to work and didn't provide an other product key to install W'XP from scratch - sounds like Lenovo gives up to support W'XP and replace support business by sell 'recovery disks'. Looks like other license violation and misinform end user about paid support only

Are you sure that the "WGA Kit for Windows XP Professional" you mentioned in your first post from Lenovo? Microsoft explicitly states on its website that it is not available to resellers (http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downlo ... x#ID0EWKAC). If it doesn't have a Lenovo part number it's not from Lenovo, and I'm fairly sure Lenovo hasn't included recovery discs for a while now - only the recovery partition, which you could have restored the Windows install from, or burned recovery discs with.

alexv wrote:The bottom line question: Am I alone who needs to re-install W'XP from scratch? How other guys did it? Do I have to sue Lenovo for MS license violation and for end user rights violation to reinstall XP on my T60 or there is a peaceful way to install XP?
Thanks

"Other guys" either used the recovery partition, used recovery discs that they burned, or a hard drive image that they made with a third-party program, or an OEM disc. There's plenty of ways to go about this, but suing is not a logical one. It's not a violation of the EULA; it's very easy for Lenovo to point the finger at "user error" because you did not keep the recovery partition or make recovery discs.

I'd say grab an OEM copy of XP Professional off the Internet (trivially easy), install, and be done with it.

#14 Post by **carbon_unit** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 8:42 pm

1 The recovery discs fromLenovo allow you to reinstall as many times as you want to.
2 If you find an OEM XP cd you can use the number on the COA sticker. Right now you have the wrong cd.
3 I am not sure what this cd is that you have.

alexv · #15 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:25 pm

Ok. I learned so far,
1. the recovery partition is Lenovo special way to help users to reinstall W'XP. The MS OEM CD works, probably, with this partition only. Any case, recovery partition MUST be present on Lenovo products. I didn't know about that. Other vendors, like HP and DELL do the same business without recovery partition. I learn now about Lenovo specific way to format the HDD and I have to obey that. There is no way to reinstall Windows without recovery disks or recovery partitions and recovery disks.
2. The CD I use has been packed with a manual and they have Lenovo bar code on the package. The manual has a label 'for distribution with a new lenowo PC only. part No.X08--42684', the CD plastic box had been packed together with manual, but it doesn't have Lenovo specific labels.
3. Carbon, I said early when I called to Lenovo support they say the product key from the PC bottom is not going to work. A representative asked me to call MS. I did so, but MS said if you get a factory installed product - the OEM is the only responsible party to support factory installed one.

The bottom line:
1. Who can put recovery disks to ftp for me, please? I think, it will close my issue to reinstall xp.
2.I learned so far, I have to recreate recovery partition, is it correct?
For my project I need dual boot on my T60: XP, Kubuntu. How I have to do that to keep recovery partition untouched?
Thanks

alexv · #16 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:31 pm

meh wrote: I'd say grab an OEM copy of XP Professional off the Internet (trivially easy), install, and be done with it.

Is it the best way to do? Will appreciate any advice how to follow.
regards

meh · #17 Post by **meh** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:35 pm

alexv wrote:Ok. I learned so far,
1. the recovery partition is Lenovo special way to help users to reinstall W'XP. The MS OEM CD works, probably, with this partition only. Any case, recovery partition MUST be present on Lenovo products. I didn't know about that. Other vendors, like HP and DELL do the same business without recovery partition. I learn now about Lenovo specific way to format the HDD and I have to obey that. There is no way to reinstall Windows without recovery disks or recovery partitions and recovery disks.

No. Any OEM XP Professional disc works so long as it is OEM version, because you have an OEM license and cdkey. The recovery partition is not necessary for a Windows XP reinstall.
The recovery parition is simply a cost-saving measure, as they do not have to include a recovery disc with every computer.

alexv wrote:2. The CD I use has been packed with a manual and they have Lenovo bar code on the package. The manual has a label 'for distribution with a new lenowo PC only. part No.X08--42684', the CD plastic box had been packed together with manual, but it doesn't have Lenovo specific labels.

Odd - if it's shipped from Lenovo, it DEFINITELY should not be a WGA Kit as Lenovo machines ship with full OEM licenses. Could you post a picture of the CD?

alexv wrote:3. Carbon, I said early when I called to Lenovo support they say the product key from the PC bottom is not going to work. A representative asked me to call MS. I did so, but MS said if you get a factory installed product - the OEM is the only responsible party to support factory installed one.

The one on the bottom is an OEM key - borrow or find an OEM install CD. It should be valid unless somebody has ripped off your COA and replaced it with a fake one.

alexv wrote:The bottom line:
1. Who can put recovery disks to ftp for me, please? I think, it will close my issue to reinstall xp.
2.I learned so far, I have to recreate recovery partition, is it correct?
For my project I need dual boot on my T60: XP, Kubuntu. How I have to do that to keep recovery partition untouched?
Thanks

1. Sorry, I can't help here, I have a T400, not T60, but you can find OEM copies of Windows all over the internet that you are legally entitled to by your COA.
2. You do not need a recovery partition - it is simply the easiest way to restore Windows XP. If you don't mind installing from scratch without drivers, and like to have extra space on your hard drive, you can go without it. It's just that in this case you did not burn recovery discs before deleting the partition and the original system preload.

alexv · #18 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:56 pm

meh wrote: Odd - if it's shipped from Lenovo, it DEFINITELY should not be a WGA Kit as Lenovo machines ship with full OEM licenses. Could you post a picture of the CD?

sure, when I install XP back. My camera doesn't have Ubuntu drivers I use on my desktop from which I communicate now.

BTW. Normally, before reformat my HDD I check the PC manufacturer has all drivers available on its support side. Because I have a net in my home from 3 desktops and 2 laptops I don't hesitate to lost any of my OSs - to restore OS and to load all drivers from the web is very simple business so far. My experience is restricted by HP, DELL. With Lenovo it is not so simple, but drivers are available.

Will wait till someone suggest a solution for 'recovery disks'. Is it really 'disks', more then one?

smidgley · #19 Post by **smidgley** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:03 pm

The WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) kit is what Microsoft offers to sell you for $150 if the version of XP on your computer is identified as being pirated or otherwise invalid. The only place the the CD key appears is on the receipt for the WGA kit, there is no COA sticker.

alexv · #20 Post by **alexv** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 10:06 pm

meh,
Do you think my problem is on the bottom of my T60 I have the OEM XP product key, but my CD is not an OEM, but it is WGA Kit for Windows XP Professional? Do you think, this mismatch is a problem?

smidgley,
Is it possible, I get my T60 2 years back with not the OEM, but with very different WGA Kit for Windows XP Professional?
regards

meh · #21 Post by **meh** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:08 am

alexv wrote:Do you think my problem is on the bottom of my T60 I have the OEM XP product key, but my CD is not an OEM, but it is WGA Kit for Windows XP Professional? Do you think, this mismatch is a problem?

Yes - Windows XP can only be installed with the same version disc and same version cd key. For example, retail versions can only be installed with a retail disc and key, while corporate/volume versions can only be installed with a volume key and a volume disc. So you need to get the OEM disc to install with the CD Key on the bottom of your machine.

alexv wrote:Is it possible, I get my T60 2 years back with not the OEM, but with very different WGA Kit for Windows XP Professional?

I don't really see how it would be possible... but the sticker attached to the bottom of your machine definitely should be an OEM cd key.

heelix · #22 Post by **heelix** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 1:19 am

Been there, done this...

http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?s ... d=17424542

Looks like you have a 'real' Windows CD, but the license key on the bottom is the OEM version. The trick is to transform a real CD into what Lenovo (and all the other hardware vendors) should be including - a Windows install CD that works with the key on the sticker.

So look at the 'pre-installed' media, find the c:\i386\setupp.ini file that should be on the HDD. Build yourself a Windows install CD using NLite (because you should also trim th fat as long as you are going to be in there, along with adding drivers, security patches, etc) from some other source - like your retail CD. Replace the setupp.ini file and it will use the OEM key. This won't turn an OEM version into an activation free volume version, but you can go the other way.

A setupp.ini for a t60p is...

[Pid]
ExtraData=786F687170637175716954806365EF
Pid=76487OEM

Which does work on my t60. Would be nice if someone else could confirm what the setupp.ini is on their actual t60. I made a CD from my MSDN kit, and it works (and activates) on both my t60 and t60p, using the keys on the bottom of each machine.

Did I mention nliteos.com lets you add drivers to the install media? (grin) A must for those who have SATA drives - like you. You can slip stream in SP3, a mess of patches, and do a lot of tuning. So worth your time to look at it.

alexv · #23 Post by **alexv** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:30 am

Nice ho hear, I get a case what been in international news on slashdot! And that happened because I received from Lenovo not what I paid for. I see an exercise in front of me, as heelix described or to get a recovery disks.
Guys, what do you advice- to go with W'XP self made install CD or to buy recovery discs? I didn't go either way before, not aware what kind of problems I'll face.

#24 Post by **Harryc** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:35 am

T60 WinXP - you could have saved yourself a lot of trouble by posting a thread in Marketplace and asking for a recovery set copy. Lenovo charges @ $50 last I checked, you could probably get a member to burn you a set for half of that. Send me a PM if you are interested, I have that set.

dr_st · #25 Post by **dr_st** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:58 am

Last time I checked, Lenovo charges $0 if the machine is under warranty and if this is the first time you ask for the CDs.

alexv · #26 Post by **alexv** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:08 am

My T60 is out of warranty - had been purchased in 2006, when my company started UWB project.
What is the PM?

#27 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:13 am

Click on the PM button at the bottom of the post of the person (harryc in this case) you want to send a PM (Private Message) to.

siman · #28 Post by **siman** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 12:35 pm

hey the recovery disks that you can make yourself dont restore the recovery partition do they?

is there any way to backup the partition?
Will normal cloning software work?

heelix · #29 Post by **heelix** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 2:00 pm

siman wrote:hey the recovery disks that you can make yourself dont restore the recovery partition do they?

is there any way to back up the partition?
Will normal cloning software work?

I believe it does.

Let me know if you want a bit of help creating your own custom CD. The nliteos.com software makes slip streaming and patching a piece of cake.

siman · #30 Post by **siman** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 3:14 pm

cheers thanks =)

MS XP product key doesn't work!

MS XP product key doesn't work!

Re: MS XP product key doesn't work!

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