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E-machine

Fahey

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
352
My aunts emaiche is broken and I found it was the mobo and I put it in. How would I be able to still use the cd key with a retail XP CD. Everytime I try it says invalid.
Could I put the retail then key change it and then call Microsoft and have it activated.
 
I would assume if the OS loads and then rejects the cd key from the E-Machine, you just call MS. Explain the problem and they will give you a valid number.
Did you try the rescue CD from the E-machine???? Its just a ghost. It should load normally if the MB is identical.
 
No motherboard is not I dentical, the warranty went out, so I and got a cheap mobo out of my closet.
 
from what i understand the restore cd will only work on an original emachines motherboard. Ive heard of people sending their unit out for service and getting it back with a different non emachines motherboard and their restore cds not working. They end up purchasing a new copy of windows.
 
yeah. some oem keys will not work with retail disks. I've seen people have the same problem with Dell, then again I've also seen Dell numbers work with a retail disk. :rolleyes:

I hate to say it, but it sounds like the cheap motherboard from your closet cost her a new copy of windows.
 
the cost of a new/refurb mobo from emachines is not worth it. most of their boards start at almost 300 bucks. and thats just the the same crappy mobo.
 
Call MS and activate over the phone. If there was a major hardware change since that serial # has been activated it wont activate b/c it will see that the hardware doesn't match, just call and explain, should work.
 
Javelin3o4 said:
the cost of a new/refurb mobo from emachines is not worth it. most of their boards start at almost 300 bucks. and thats just the the same crappy mobo.


If it was out of warrenty I'm suprised that they even stocked the mobo. At work every time I call emachine to see about replacing a mobo they are out of stock and are unsure about when they will be stocked again.

That's how they sell them so cheap. They sell junk mobo's and stop stocking replacments after the warrenty is up for that model. Emachine puked opps sorry go to worst buy and get another one.

I agree with everyone who said your going to have to call Microsoft and get a new CD key. It should only take 10 minutes and it's fun to hear the people in India pretending to be american.
 
Well I m going to call mic. (I hate it whne u cant understand what there saying and they get mad) or (They say there name is mike or bob and I bet its reall abdul or some other name)
Thanks for that help guys.
 
Fahey said:
My aunts emaiche is broken and I found it was the mobo and I put it in. How would I be able to still use the cd key with a retail XP CD. Everytime I try it says invalid.
Could I put the retail then key change it and then call Microsoft and have it activated.

You'll need to get your hands on an OEM Windows cd in order to install Windows. OEM and Retail keys are not interchangable.
 
Fahey said:
Well I m going to call mic. (I hate it whne u cant understand what there saying and they get mad) or (They say there name is mike or bob and I bet its reall abdul or some other name)
Thanks for that help guys.

Ask to speak to someone else, keep asking. Convergsys handles the call centers for XP.
They have a call center here in my town, matter of fact my wife used to work there. If you just keep asking to speak to someone else, you can even tell them an American or Canadian and you will get transfered to another call center. From what I understand most people calling from the states, demand to speak to an american when they are routed to one of the Middle Eastern call centers.
 
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