NicktheNorse

hmm ok, maybe ive been conned. I tried reinstalling with a disc which i know to be the WinXP OEM edition - and during the installation it told me my CD key was invalid (even though my COA says OEM). Maybe this is a case where MS would provide me a free full copy of XP Pro through their WGA anti-piracy thing?

I've read about loads of people with valid OEM licences failing WGA, it seems to be a common problem.

eh? what are you talking about? My key is 100% genuine. I've got an original COA for it and it works fine. The problem is there is no activation because its a VLK disk. Will call MS tomorrow and see.

I purchased an OEM copy of XP Pro from a computer wholesale store (with a qualifiying piece of hardware). I received it in shrinkwrap with a blue paper manual, a sealed XP Pro (with SP2) disc and an OEM COA. Its 100% legit, just like when i purchased an OEM copy a few years back when building a PC for my friend. The disk is holographic and has all the features as described on the "how-to-tell" portion of the MS website. The COA sticker is authentic as well, and reads "Windows XP Professional OEM Software." The strange thing is that the disk title (when viewed in explorer) is WXPVOL_EN, a telltale sign that this is in fact a volume licence disk. Furthermore, upon installation it prompts me for the VLK and tells me to see my administrator. The deal-breaker is of course the complete lack of activation within the OS once installed. I've got a 640 class PID and I fail the new Windows update WGA. I've tried contacting the store but they say as far as they are concerned its a valid OEM licence (and hey, until you try to install it, it looks 100% like an OEM package) and tell me I'm doing something wrong. I'm trying to install this on a complete clean HDD to no avail. Any thoughts? So, in summary: It seems that out of a completely legit looking shrinkwrapped package ive got one VLK holographic disk (checked via setupp.ini), and one COA "sticker" that says "OEM" on it. I can install just fine, there is no activation, i have a "640" PID and I fail WGA. Maybe i should try to get ahold of a proper OEM disk and try installing using my purchased cd key?