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I bought a copy of windows XP Pro SP1 on the internet and the software will not accept the serial number.
Are there different versions of windows XP that will only function on certain systems?

This is not a wares topic. I only ask so that I can get Purebasic up and running under windows XP.

If it won't accept the serial # then you've been duped it sounds like. I'd try to resolve the issue with the person you bought it from, and if they don't comply to fix the problem I'd report them to Microsoft.

That said... in general its a bad idea to buy an OS used online...

I may be out of luck then.
Before I fork over another $20 I'll use your suggestion and go to microsoft.

dna wrote:Are there different versions of windows XP that will only function on certain systems?

On different systems, no. But there are different versions of XP and each version will only accept a serial number for that version. For example, an upgrade version will only accept serial numbers for upgrade versions, full versions will only accept serial numbers for full versions, and so on...

Before you declare the serial number invalid, how careful were you to note the differences between 8s and Bs, 1s, and Is, 0s and Os and enter the correct character. I know on several occasions I've had to double check the serial for just such mistakes.

dracflamloc wrote:That said... in general its a bad idea to buy an OS used online...

That depends on the care you take in choosing what and where to buy, I got my Windows XP Home full retail version (not an upgrade or OEM edition) on eBay and had no problems with the serial being good and unregistered. Of course I was willing to spend a little extra for an unopenned one. I ended up paying about $90 for an unopenned full retail XP Home (a little less than half it's retail price).

thanks for the tip.

dna wrote: Are there different versions of windows XP that will only function on certain systems?

Yes, I believe there are certain OEM versions of WindowsXP, Dell for example, that will only install on a Dell motherboard system.

cheers and good luck.

That is correct. Though usually its pretty obvious because the error will pop up saying something like "This will only work on a Dell computer!" and then not let you go any further.

the message I get is that the serial number is invalid.
I've tried 7 different serial numbers and I get the same. It appears that they are looking for a specific Product number on the CD.

Maybe these series are blocked for a reason.

You might try to contact Microsoft if your copy is legal and no oem distrib.

If you are the legitimate owner (retail cd/dvd) they can provide you a working product key (serial number).