While installing a full version of XP Pro on a Compaq Presario 5000 computer
I do not see a screen where I can enter the key code. Once the system is up
and running there is a pop up that states the software must be activated
within 30 days. When I try to do that a screen pops up that says the key is
invalid and to retry, When I enter the code for the first time it says not a
valid key code. Any suggestions. Really don't understand why I'm not having
an opportunity to enter the code before installation is completed.

Is it a Retail version of WinXP Pro that you purchased?
"rharlans" <rharlans@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
newsA08E3FC-6302-4218-8235-E4DA00F31008@microsoft.com...
> While installing a full version of XP Pro on a Compaq Presario 5000
> computer
> I do not see a screen where I can enter the key code. Once the system is
> up
> and running there is a pop up that states the software must be activated
> within 30 days. When I try to do that a screen pops up that says the key
> is
> invalid and to retry, When I enter the code for the first time it says
> not a
> valid key code. Any suggestions. Really don't understand why I'm not
> having
> an opportunity to enter the code before installation is completed.

Try this;
http://www.zdnetasia.com/insight/sof...9133844,00.htm

---------------------------------------------
"rharlans" <rharlans@discussions.microsoft.com> escribió en el mensaje
newsA08E3FC-6302-4218-8235-E4DA00F31008@microsoft.com...
> While installing a full version of XP Pro on a Compaq Presario 5000
computer
> I do not see a screen where I can enter the key code. Once the system is
up
> and running there is a pop up that states the software must be activated
> within 30 days. When I try to do that a screen pops up that says the key
is
> invalid and to retry, When I enter the code for the first time it says
not a
> valid key code. Any suggestions. Really don't understand why I'm not
having
> an opportunity to enter the code before installation is completed.

It's an OEM version.

"Rich Barry" wrote:

> Is it a Retail version of WinXP Pro that you purchased?
> "rharlans" <rharlans@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> newsA08E3FC-6302-4218-8235-E4DA00F31008@microsoft.com...
> > While installing a full version of XP Pro on a Compaq Presario 5000
> > computer
> > I do not see a screen where I can enter the key code. Once the system is
> > up
> > and running there is a pop up that states the software must be activated
> > within 30 days. When I try to do that a screen pops up that says the key
> > is
> > invalid and to retry, When I enter the code for the first time it says
> > not a
> > valid key code. Any suggestions. Really don't understand why I'm not
> > having
> > an opportunity to enter the code before installation is completed.
>
>
>

When you activate windows the "code" you enter is not the CD key it is a
code from Microsoft based on your CD key. If you are trying to enter the CD
key then that is the reason for the error, you will need to phone the local
MS office.

Neil
"rharlans" <rharlans@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
newsA08E3FC-6302-4218-8235-E4DA00F31008@microsoft.com...
> While installing a full version of XP Pro on a Compaq Presario 5000
> computer
> I do not see a screen where I can enter the key code. Once the system is
> up
> and running there is a pop up that states the software must be activated
> within 30 days. When I try to do that a screen pops up that says the key
> is
> invalid and to retry, When I enter the code for the first time it says
> not a
> valid key code. Any suggestions. Really don't understand why I'm not
> having
> an opportunity to enter the code before installation is completed.