No 25 digit installation code

[zickler]

I recently bought a Dell Dimension 8400. When it arrived I discovered that it had been pre-installed with Windows XP Home Edition and not the XP Professional that I had ordered. I got back on to the company and they recognised their error and agreed to order and send me the XP Professional. I received it a couple of days later but when I went to install it I discovered that there was no Certificate of Authenticity label or 25 digit code in the accompanying package. Again I got on to the company and Tech support suggested two options, the first that I contact Microsoft and ask them to give me the code ( which I did but they said they could not that it was the company's fault for not issuing it and to take it up with them ) the second suggestion was to install the XP Professional through a reboot. What I would like to ask is it possible to install the XP Professional through a reboot without having to input the 25 digit code somewhere along the way during the installation process ? Is it a simple enough procedure ?

Grateful for any advice anxious to get it installed and would like to avoid being given the run around by this company any further.

Thank You

 

[linney]

Possibly you could use the Product Key that is on the sticky label on the machine, but you should check with the company first.

 

[linney]

Maybe not if you have already Activated Home using the Product Key.

 

[wolluf]

you won't be able to use an XP Home key with XP Pro - you need to get the company to send you a valid key (and licence of course) for XP Pro - which if that's what you paid for, they are obliged to do.

Tell them firmly but politely - make sure you talk to somebody senior if they start giving you excuses.

 

[chicagophoneman]

Is the copy a standard OEM copy or is on a dell disk. I just reloaded a copy of XP pro from a dell operating system disk and never had to put the key in and never had an activation issue.

 

[MasterofNone]

If this is a manufacturers disk and not a plain MS disk, the install code could be part of the disk itself. try seeing if there is a winnt.sif file in the i386 directory on the cd