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#1
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win98se update, product key not recognized
starting this thread over since my last post turned into
something else- I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at work-- all the others on our small network were updated years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a valid product key! I don't know where the original docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I tried using a product key from one of the computers with 98se already installed but that key was rejected as invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I can fix this? thanks- ellen |
#2
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win98se update, product key not recognized
Are you sure you are using a Product Key and not a Product ID? The Key
is five, five character groups, 25 characters in all. The key you are finding in the registry may not be the product key. I read somewhere that it is really a key for something else and that it won't work as an installation Product key. Try www.belarc.com and go to the download page. Run the advisor and scroll down to the Product Key. If all else fails, try calling 1-800-642-7676. I received a new product key for a lost one by calling this number. Have the Win98se CD handy when you call. By the way, my Win98 (FE) Product Key worked for a Win98se installation. Both versions were OEM. hawk ellen o. wrote: starting this thread over since my last post turned into something else- I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at work-- all the others on our small network were updated years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a valid product key! I don't know where the original docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I tried using a product key from one of the computers with 98se already installed but that key was rejected as invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I can fix this? thanks- ellen |
#3
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win98se update, product key not recognized
I know what you mean about the other thread.
Are you sure you are entering the key right? Make sure you are not entering an I(eye) for a 1 (one). Or an O (oh) for a 0 (zero). Or visa/versa on both. You said these are on a network. Take the machine your upgrading off the network completely. Then try the install. Good Luck! -----Original Message----- starting this thread over since my last post turned into something else- I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at work-- all the others on our small network were updated years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a valid product key! I don't know where the original docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I tried using a product key from one of the computers with 98se already installed but that key was rejected as invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I can fix this? thanks- ellen . |
#4
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win98se update, product key not recognized
ellen o -
In your previous thread I posted this: paste That computer will need an Update Disk to arrive at the desired configuration. If it is a company computer they need only purchase an additional license to legally install the update on that PC. If all the other computers have been updated, then surely an Update Disk is "in the house". Otherwise, if this is your PC you've imported to work, you must purchase (unless the company for which you work will foot the bill) the Disk from a source such as eBay, Amazon, local PC supplier (if they have one), or the like. Make sure it is supplied with all the necessary product key numbers and is complete. paste/ Each PC will have it's own product key, and the PC which you are using may not have been present at the update (?). At any rate, it stands to reason that any other number from other PC's which you enter will not apply to your particular PC. As advised by others, be certain you are using the proper Alphanumeric Symbols. That you are entering the ProductKey, and not the ProductId. Alternative suggestions may be of some help as well, if the former doesn't work. I will also add that in *this* post you've submitted you've now added other *details* which were lacking in your first post. Namely: paste I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I tried using a product key from one of the computers with 98se already installed but that key was rejected as invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if another computer is running fine with it. paste/ I apologize for the turn in direction that the previous thread took, and it was not intended. However, if you had the patience to look, you would see that there was a valid reason for that post, and that I offered a reply to your query. It ended up at the very bottom of that thread though it was the 3rd post submitted. Also, had you submitted all of the *details* as you've now done, we could have "cut to the chase" a bit faster. ;-) How to make a good post: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/post.html -- LuckyStrike -------------------------------------------------------------------- "ellen o." wrote in message ... starting this thread over since my last post turned into something else- I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at work-- all the others on our small network were updated years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a valid product key! I don't know where the original docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I tried using a product key from one of the computers with 98se already installed but that key was rejected as invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I can fix this? thanks- ellen |
#5
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win98se update, product key not recognized
Not exactly. Each PC that has a legal copy of Win98 will have it's own
product key. But any product key can be used with any CD as long as the types are the same, OEM product key with OEM CD, retail product key with retail CD, and I think upgrades are different from full versions as well. And since there was no activation procedure prior to WinXP, there are most likely many PCs running Win98 with the same product key. hawk LuckyStrike wrote: Each PC will have it's own product key, and the PC which you are using may not have been present at the update (?). At any rate, it stands to reason that any other number from other PC's which you enter will not apply to your particular PC. |
#6
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win98se update, product key not recognized
I THOUGHT that thread was basically over/done with! You wanted a
ProductKey, & someone posted an illicit site. What more could there have been? Anyhow... (A) Is this what you went for...?... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345" (1) "START, Run, RegEdit" (2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with "Windows". (3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows". (4) Look in right pane for ProductKey. That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual or CD case. (B) Microsoft: 1-800-426-9400, last I knew. Perhaps they will respond to an original tale, if you can come up with it. Tell them a TIF monster swallowed it! (C) Not all numbers will work on all machines, especially if the OS is different. Have you ever foolishly posted your number? Then, try... http://www.google.com/ Groups ....put your name & "ProductKey" into the search. (D) This courtesy of MS-MVP Ron Badour: Go to http://www.pricewatch.com, click on the software button and then search on: win98. They have listings on boot up floppy disks, CDs but no license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE, update from W98 to W98SE only and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings say or you may end up with something you don't want or need. You can also check on EBay or other auction sites. You also need to be aware that most support for W98 has terminated and all support terminates in Jan 04. Here's some info about the various types of CDs: RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can install it to a blank hard drive. RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you can install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a blank drive, install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) disk(s). OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank hard drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into upgrading. For info, go to: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware that if you buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a particular computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk. UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE. When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some venders were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 ProductKey which may or may not work--don't get stung. RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery CD. You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are looking for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they were intended for. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "ellen o." wrote in message ... | starting this thread over since my last post turned into | something else- | I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at | work-- all the others on our small network were updated | years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, | found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a | valid product key! I don't know where the original | docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. | I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but | it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a | product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses | (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I | tried using a product key from one of the computers with | 98se already installed but that key was rejected as | invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if | another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I | can fix this? | | thanks- ellen | |
#7
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win98se update, product key not recognized
Here is Harper's wording (after 1st paragraph) for some of that...
Here is what I know of those Installation CD's. The full list of capabilities of each type of CD is as follows, says Harper. Each requires a valid Product key. "Proof" means it must see you had a prior version. So, if it isn't sitting there, expect to insert a floppy or earlier CD. FULL VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Does not ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version. UPGRADE VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Will ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version if one is not installed. WIN98 SE UPDATES: Will only install if Windows 98 is present on the hard drive. Cannot be used for a clean install at all. OEM VERSION: Only installs on a clean, fresh-formatted hard drive. May be customized to include or omit components that would be found/not found on a retail CD. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "PCR" wrote in message ... | I THOUGHT that thread was basically over/done with! You wanted a | ProductKey, & someone posted an illicit site. What more could there have | been? Anyhow... | | (A) Is this what you went for...?... | | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion | ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345" | | (1) "START, Run, RegEdit" | (2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with | "Windows". | (3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows". | (4) Look in right pane for ProductKey. | | That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it | down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual | or CD case. | | (B) Microsoft: 1-800-426-9400, last I knew. Perhaps they will respond to | an original tale, if you can come up with it. Tell them a TIF monster | swallowed it! | | (C) Not all numbers will work on all machines, especially if the OS is | different. Have you ever foolishly posted your number? Then, try... | http://www.google.com/ Groups | ...put your name & "ProductKey" into the search. | | (D) This courtesy of MS-MVP Ron Badour: | Go to | http://www.pricewatch.com, click on the software button and then search | on: win98. They have listings on boot up floppy disks, CDs but no | license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE, update from W98 to W98SE | only and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings say or you may end | up with something you don't want or need. You can also check on EBay or | other auction sites. You also need to be aware that most support for | W98 has terminated and all support terminates in Jan 04. Here's some | info about the various types of CDs: | | RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you | can install it to a blank hard drive. | | RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you | can install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a | blank drive, install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) | disk(s). | | OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank | hard drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into | upgrading. For info, go to: | http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware that if you | buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a particular | computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk. | | UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE. | When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some | venders were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 | ProductKey which may or may not work--don't get stung. | | RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery | CD. You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are | looking for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they | were intended for. | | | -- | Thanks or Good Luck, | There may be humor in this post, and, | Naturally, you will not sue, | should things get worse after this, | PCR | | "ellen o." wrote in message | ... | | starting this thread over since my last post turned into | | something else- | | I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at | | work-- all the others on our small network were updated | | years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, | | found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a | | valid product key! I don't know where the original | | docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. | | I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but | | it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a | | product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses | | (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I | | tried using a product key from one of the computers with | | 98se already installed but that key was rejected as | | invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if | | another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I | | can fix this? | | | | thanks- ellen | | | | |
#8
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win98se update, product key not recognized
Someone sounds a little testy today.
-----Original Message----- Here is Harper's wording (after 1st paragraph) for some of that... Here is what I know of those Installation CD's. The full list of capabilities of each type of CD is as follows, says Harper. Each requires a valid Product key. "Proof" means it must see you had a prior version. So, if it isn't sitting there, expect to insert a floppy or earlier CD. FULL VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Does not ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version. UPGRADE VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing OS. Will ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version if one is not installed. WIN98 SE UPDATES: Will only install if Windows 98 is present on the hard drive. Cannot be used for a clean install at all. OEM VERSION: Only installs on a clean, fresh-formatted hard drive. May be customized to include or omit components that would be found/not found on a retail CD. -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "PCR" wrote in message ... | I THOUGHT that thread was basically over/done with! You wanted a | ProductKey, & someone posted an illicit site. What more could there have | been? Anyhow... | | (A) Is this what you went for...?... | | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersio n | ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345" | | (1) "START, Run, RegEdit" | (2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with | "Windows". | (3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows". | (4) Look in right pane for ProductKey. | | That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it | down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual | or CD case. | | (B) Microsoft: 1-800-426-9400, last I knew. Perhaps they will respond to | an original tale, if you can come up with it. Tell them a TIF monster | swallowed it! | | (C) Not all numbers will work on all machines, especially if the OS is | different. Have you ever foolishly posted your number? Then, try... | http://www.google.com/ Groups | ...put your name & "ProductKey" into the search. | | (D) This courtesy of MS-MVP Ron Badour: | Go to | http://www.pricewatch.com, click on the software button and then search | on: win98. They have listings on boot up floppy disks, CDs but no | license, a license but no CD, OEM, W98, W98SE, update from W98 to W98SE | only and so on. Pay ATTENTION to what the listings say or you may end | up with something you don't want or need. You can also check on EBay or | other auction sites. You also need to be aware that most support for | W98 has terminated and all support terminates in Jan 04. Here's some | info about the various types of CDs: | | RETAIL FULL INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you | can install it to a blank hard drive. | | RETAIL UPGRADE INSTALL: This CD will either upgrade W95/98 to SE or you | can install it to a blank hard drive; however, when installing to a | blank drive, install will ask to see the qualifying system (i.e., W95) | disk(s). | | OEM FULL INSTALL. This SE CD is designed to be installed to a blank | hard drive; however, there is a possibility that you can trick it into | upgrading. For info, go to: | http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/upgrade.html Be aware that if you | buy an OEM disk, it might be customized for installation on a particular | computer; however, this will probably be primarily with a used disk. | | UPDATE CD: This CD will only update a functioning copy of W98 to W98SE. | When MS sold them, they were $20 and came with a ProductKey. Some | venders were selling them and advising customers to use the W98 | ProductKey which may or may not work--don't get stung. | | RECOVERY CD: Some companies will brand an OEM CD and call it a recovery | CD. You should avoid these unless it is the exact recovery CD you are | looking for. Many recovery CDs will only install on the equipment they | were intended for. | | | -- | Thanks or Good Luck, | There may be humor in this post, and, | Naturally, you will not sue, | should things get worse after this, | PCR | | "ellen o." wrote in message | ... | | starting this thread over since my last post turned into | | something else- | | I'm trying to update win98 to win98se on a computer at | | work-- all the others on our small network were updated | | years ago. When I type in the product key for win98, | | found in the registry, the installer says this isn't a | | valid product key! I don't know where the original | | docs/software are for this 1998 vintage computer. | | I am using a win98se update disk that I found at work, but | | it doesn't have the original case or envelope showing a | | product key-- I'm pretty sure we purchased 10 licenses | | (for 7 computers) and not 7 copies of the update disk. I | | tried using a product key from one of the computers with | | 98se already installed but that key was rejected as | | invalid too! I don't understand how the key is invalid if | | another computer is running fine with it. Any ideas how I | | can fix this? | | | | thanks- ellen | | | | . |
#9
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win98se update, product key not recognized
Actually I correct myself. All PCs from one vendor may have the same
product key. It is the product key of the vendor, and not legal for anyone else to use. hawk hawk wrote: Not exactly. Each PC that has a legal copy of Win98 will have it's own product key. But any product key can be used with any CD as long as the types are the same, OEM product key with OEM CD, retail product key with retail CD, and I think upgrades are different from full versions as well. And since there was no activation procedure prior to WinXP, there are most likely many PCs running Win98 with the same product key. hawk LuckyStrike wrote: Each PC will have it's own product key, and the PC which you are using may not have been present at the update (?). At any rate, it stands to reason that any other number from other PC's which you enter will not apply to your particular PC. |
#10
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win98se update, product key not recognized
Naturally, when a thread is dead/buried, ghouls may show up to play with
it! That is to be expected! I was only there to see whether anyone I knew would show up-- I MEAN, to try to rescue them! -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, should things get worse after this, PCR "ppoatt" wrote in message ... | Someone sounds a little testy today. ....snip | "PCR" wrote in message | ... | | I THOUGHT that thread was basically over/done with! You | wanted a | | ProductKey, & someone posted an illicit site. What more | could there | have | | been? Anyhow... ....snip |
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