product code from sticker not working

[dryingpaint]

I was given a seven year old unknown notebook.  The sticker on the bottom said MS xp pro.  The computer os(xp pro) was basically locked up.  So I had an old copy of xp pro from an old build I did years ago.  It was my understanding that you could legally install xp if you owned a legal product code for the machine it was being installed on.  Which, being the rightful owner of the laptop, I would own a copy of xp.  So xp installed correctly, but the numbers on the bottom sticker did not work.  They would not work in at any step of the install process.
  I did a work around, which I can not comment on.  So I am up and running with xp pro.  So my main question is why did my product code numbers not work.  Maybe there are several types of xp pro, and I needed to install the exact version?  My next question is, can I legally downgrade to xp home edition, but still use the product keys on the bottom of the laptop to register.  That is to say, will an xp pro product code work for xp home?

[patio]

The version product codes are not swappable...
I'd call MS 800# and have them issue a new code.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Okay, so he should call Microsoft for a new code to avoid future problems with the operating system installation.

2.  Just so I understand what didn't work:
     a.  What is the brand of the "seven year old unknown notebook"?  (I suppose "unknown" truly could mean you don't know.)

     b.  Does Windows XP Professional sticker on bottom of laptop indicate it's an OEM license?

     c.  Did you use OEM, Full Retail, or Upgrade Retail Windows XP Pro Install CD?
At what Service Pack Level (original, SP1, SP2, SP3)?
   

[dryingpaint]

The laptop brand?  I tried everything, all I could find was intel processor.  Any ideas how to find the manufacture?
   Oem-I would assume all the stickers on the bottom of laptops are oem license, no?  How can you tell the difference?
  About five years ago I walked into a bigbox, found windows xp pro and bought it.  It came with a whole booklet, yellow sticker, and an orange looking cd with halograms on it.  That would be full retail, I am guessing!
  Before I call microsoft I need some advice, I really do not want Xp Pro, the sound does not work, I would rather borrow xp home from a friend then call microsoft for a new product code?  What is legal?  You see, the people around me in life would become uneasy if my computer goes to flashing a microsoft warning about authentic copy or something like that.  I need everything on the up and up. Is microsoft still selling xp home edition?  Maybe I could up the ram and buy a retail copy of windows 7?  Thanks

 

[patio]

If the machine liscense is for PRO then that's what needs to be installed on there...
Unless you go buy a retail ver. of XP.
Why do you want Home vs. Pro if i may ask ? ?

As far as being legal as i stated you can borrow an XP Pro CD and re-install...then track down your drivers and install them all...then call MS for a brand new key...

You have 30 days to do all the above and as i said it's all perfectly legal.

[dryingpaint]

Home edition instead of pro.  I have home edition on my other laptop with no problems ever -for over two years.  The xp pro I installed will not produce any sound.  From the people I talked too, (google) it seems to be a common problem, one guy claiming he had three different sound cards in his machine with no luck getting sound.  I looked at xp pro  and saw 36gb of space being taken,  I am running linux puppy right now, it takes like 32 mb or something very small.  Puppy does everything I need.  I would rather loan out the seven year old laptop with windows on it, as opposed to linux , because people are generally more familar with windows os.
  Laptops are fast becoming throw away products, the computer guy at the corner wants 150$ to reformat xp pro, when for 300$ I can march down to bigbox and buy a brand new laptop.  I would end this discussion and just run Ubuntu except for the simple fact that linux never came up with an install wizard.  It is a lot easier to click next than type some  crazy set of  commands. Also the availability of simple clear cut instructions on how to use linux are greatly lacking, in my opinion.

[patio]

If you want to resuscitate that machine i've instructed you on how to do so...
The sound drivers need to be re-installed when you fix the OS...ie after the fact...
They are NOT different for Home or Pro.

Other than that i don't know what else to tell you.
Your mini rant on laptops becoming obsolete holds no water...there is no reason to pay a guy down the street $150.00 to do what we've instructed you to do...
All this can be done by you...not the guy down the street ...for Free.

Best of Luck.

[dahlarbear]

1.  Proprietary Hardware.  The "point" you're missing is laptops use proprietary hardware.  You may need the audio drivers from the laptop manufacturer's support page.  If you can't determine laptop make and model number, look on the motherboard manufacturer's website.

While you're there, look for the "chipset" drivers and any other components your motherboard may include.

Anything else not working...  Like the onboard NIC?

Pay attention to the service pack level of your Windows XP Pro installation.  Go Start -> right click "My Computer" -> left-click "General" tab -> Should list operating system with service pack level, if any.  Any Windows XP problems should be fixed in subsequent service packs.

2.  System Component Identification.  The following "free" for personal home use software may help identify your laptop components:
    Belarc Advisor
    EVEREST Home Edition 2.20

3.  Sticker Info.  For the "detail oriented" individual:
    What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?

4.  Operating System.  I would always choose Windows XP Professional over Home Edition.  They use essentially the same software.  Professional is just a "superset" of additional features and/or components.  No way your operating system installation is using 36 GB.  More like 2.0 to 3.5 GB depending on how many service packs you've installed.

5.  Call Microsoft...  "patio" knows best...