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

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

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

.

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

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.

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
|

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
| |
|
|

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
| |
|
|


.

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.

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