invalid / unauth Product Key

I recently purchased a tablet PC (Fujitsu ST5011D) on ebay. In the item
description, it stated that "I just installed Windows TabletXP, but it needs
to be activated." Fine and dandy, valid COA on the back per auction images.
Well. Upon attempting
activation, I was informed that I had an "invalid product key". I downloaded
and ran Magical Jellybean to get the PK from within the system itself, and it
gave me a completely *DIFFERENT* PK than the COA (and said it was running
Windows XP Pro). When I tried to activate with that, I was told that I had an
"unauthorized" PK. Tried the "activate via phone" option, and after reading
the eight-zillion-number string off to Friendly Computer Lady, I was told it
was invalid, and given the steps to change the PK, which, of course,
basically just takes you back the the beginning again. I have read that
somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real person, and they
should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or is there some other
option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's keister?

Well, it sure doesn't sound like you got a valid key from the ebayer.

Personally, I would be contacting the seller first before messing around
playing phone tag.

don't think you need to contact Paypal, just directly contact the seller
first.
--
James
Bart: "According to creationism, there were no cavemen."
Homer: "Good riddance! Their drawings sucked and they looked like hippies."

"Chuck" <> wrote in message
news:62A440F7-AF21-414A-86F7-...
> I recently purchased a tablet PC (Fujitsu ST5011D) on ebay. In the item
> description, it stated that "I just installed Windows TabletXP, but it
> needs
> to be activated." Fine and dandy, valid COA on the back per auction
> images.
> Well. Upon attempting
> activation, I was informed that I had an "invalid product key". I
> downloaded
> and ran Magical Jellybean to get the PK from within the system itself, and
> it
> gave me a completely *DIFFERENT* PK than the COA (and said it was running
> Windows XP Pro). When I tried to activate with that, I was told that I had
> an
> "unauthorized" PK. Tried the "activate via phone" option, and after
> reading
> the eight-zillion-number string off to Friendly Computer Lady, I was told
> it
> was invalid, and given the steps to change the PK, which, of course,
> basically just takes you back the the beginning again. I have read that
> somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real person, and they
> should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or is there some other
> option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's keister?
>

Chuck wrote:
> ... I have
> read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
> person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or
> is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's
> keister?

Yes, this is true.
MS will help you on this.
You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.

As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid version.

Rainald
P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the IS. This is a very
important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will have no
media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu support and
ask if the still have CDs available.

Chuck wrote:
> ... I have
> read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
> person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or
> is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's
> keister?

Yes, this is true.
MS will help you on this.
You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.

As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid version.

Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668

2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us

3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
key.

HTH
Rainald
P.P. Pls report back
P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a very
important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will have no
media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu support and
ask if the still have CDs available.

OK, none of this stuff seems to have worked, or at least not in the way I was
anticipating. When I bring up the activation window, it shows the PK that's
on the back of the tablet. Whether this is an actual change, or just because
it's the last thing I manually input, I don't know. Either way, it still
won't activate. Called MS and got to a real person--"Ben", riiiight--who told
me the same thing Friendly Computer lady did: change the PK and call us
back., Well, $^#%^*, if it was working right, I wouldn't call you guys at
all, would I?? Arghh. I'll give it one more try and try to head "Bob" or
whoever I get off at the pass and explain the situation. I just don't
understand why it won't activate--you basically can't get a bad copy; they
were ONLY given to OEMs. It's TabletXP--why won't the tabletXP PK &$#@(*
activate it?!?

"Rainald Taesler" wrote:

> Chuck wrote:
> > ... I have
> > read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
> > person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or
> > is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's
> > keister?
>
> Yes, this is true.
> MS will help you on this.
> You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
> thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.
>
> As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
> the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid version.
>
> Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
> 1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668
>
> 2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
>
> 3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
> This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
> key.
>
> HTH
> Rainald
> P.P. Pls report back
> P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a very
> important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will have no
> media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu support and
> ask if the still have CDs available.
>
>
>
>
> .
>

No chance the installed version doesn't match the Label version on the back?
For example, the label was for a the original XP Tablet version (2002), but
the 2005 is installed. That would cause a non-activation as well.
--
James
Bart: "According to creationism, there were no cavemen."
Homer: "Good riddance! Their drawings sucked and they looked like hippies."

"Chuck" <> wrote in message
news:C0386769-BC02-4F79-9B07-...
> OK, none of this stuff seems to have worked, or at least not in the way I
> was
> anticipating. When I bring up the activation window, it shows the PK
> that's
> on the back of the tablet. Whether this is an actual change, or just
> because
> it's the last thing I manually input, I don't know. Either way, it still
> won't activate. Called MS and got to a real person--"Ben", riiiight--who
> told
> me the same thing Friendly Computer lady did: change the PK and call us
> back., Well, $^#%^*, if it was working right, I wouldn't call you guys at
> all, would I?? Arghh. I'll give it one more try and try to head "Bob" or
> whoever I get off at the pass and explain the situation. I just don't
> understand why it won't activate--you basically can't get a bad copy; they
> were ONLY given to OEMs. It's TabletXP--why won't the tabletXP PK &$#@(*
> activate it?!?
>
> "Rainald Taesler" wrote:
>
>> Chuck wrote:
>> > ... I have
>> > read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
>> > person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or
>> > is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's
>> > keister?
>>
>> Yes, this is true.
>> MS will help you on this.
>> You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
>> thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.
>>
>> As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
>> the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid version.
>>
>> Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
>> 1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
>> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668
>>
>> 2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
>>
>> 3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
>> This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
>> key.
>>
>> HTH
>> Rainald
>> P.P. Pls report back
>> P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a very
>> important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will have no
>> media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu support and
>> ask if the still have CDs available.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .
>>

Hm. I dunno. System Properties tells me I have "MS Windows XP Tablet PC
Edition 2005 Version 2002 Service Pack 3".
I can't find anything on the hardware to tell me the original version. It
just says "MS Windows XP Tablet PC Edition" with no date or version or
anything.

"Jaime" wrote:

> No chance the installed version doesn't match the Label version on the back?
> For example, the label was for a the original XP Tablet version (2002), but
> the 2005 is installed. That would cause a non-activation as well.
> --
> James
> Bart: "According to creationism, there were no cavemen."
> Homer: "Good riddance! Their drawings sucked and they looked like hippies."
>
> "Chuck" <> wrote in message
> news:C0386769-BC02-4F79-9B07-...
> > OK, none of this stuff seems to have worked, or at least not in the way I
> > was
> > anticipating. When I bring up the activation window, it shows the PK
> > that's
> > on the back of the tablet. Whether this is an actual change, or just
> > because
> > it's the last thing I manually input, I don't know. Either way, it still
> > won't activate. Called MS and got to a real person--"Ben", riiiight--who
> > told
> > me the same thing Friendly Computer lady did: change the PK and call us
> > back., Well, $^#%^*, if it was working right, I wouldn't call you guys at
> > all, would I?? Arghh. I'll give it one more try and try to head "Bob" or
> > whoever I get off at the pass and explain the situation. I just don't
> > understand why it won't activate--you basically can't get a bad copy; they
> > were ONLY given to OEMs. It's TabletXP--why won't the tabletXP PK &$#@(*
> > activate it?!?
> >
> > "Rainald Taesler" wrote:
> >
> >> Chuck wrote:
> >> > ... I have
> >> > read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
> >> > person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or
> >> > is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's
> >> > keister?
> >>
> >> Yes, this is true.
> >> MS will help you on this.
> >> You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
> >> thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.
> >>
> >> As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
> >> the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid version.
> >>
> >> Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
> >> 1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
> >> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
> >> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668
> >>
> >> 2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
> >>
> >> 3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
> >> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
> >> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
> >> This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
> >> key.
> >>
> >> HTH
> >> Rainald
> >> P.P. Pls report back
> >> P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a very
> >> important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will have no
> >> media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu support and
> >> ask if the still have CDs available.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> .
> >>
> .
>

If the sticker doesn't say SP[something], there is a chance that the
original install (and that key) was the first release. I haven't seen enough
of the Tablet OEM stickers to say, but I have seen some standard XP ones
that do say XP w/SP2 (or whatever).

I also have systems around that I know came preloaded with SP2 (or 3), but
the sticker just says XP.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey"), Florida

"Chuck" <> wrote in message
news:1AC9B403-D948-4408-9E36-...
> Hm. I dunno. System Properties tells me I have "MS Windows XP Tablet PC
> Edition 2005 Version 2002 Service Pack 3".
> I can't find anything on the hardware to tell me the original version. It
> just says "MS Windows XP Tablet PC Edition" with no date or version or
> anything.
>
> "Jaime" wrote:
>
>> No chance the installed version doesn't match the Label version on the
>> back?
>> For example, the label was for a the original XP Tablet version (2002),
>> but
>> the 2005 is installed. That would cause a non-activation as well.
>> --
>> James
>> Bart: "According to creationism, there were no cavemen."
>> Homer: "Good riddance! Their drawings sucked and they looked like
>> hippies."
>>
>> "Chuck" <> wrote in message
>> news:C0386769-BC02-4F79-9B07-...
>> > OK, none of this stuff seems to have worked, or at least not in the way
>> > I
>> > was
>> > anticipating. When I bring up the activation window, it shows the PK
>> > that's
>> > on the back of the tablet. Whether this is an actual change, or just
>> > because
>> > it's the last thing I manually input, I don't know. Either way, it
>> > still
>> > won't activate. Called MS and got to a real person--"Ben",
>> > riiiight--who
>> > told
>> > me the same thing Friendly Computer lady did: change the PK and call us
>> > back., Well, $^#%^*, if it was working right, I wouldn't call you guys
>> > at
>> > all, would I?? Arghh. I'll give it one more try and try to head "Bob"
>> > or
>> > whoever I get off at the pass and explain the situation. I just don't
>> > understand why it won't activate--you basically can't get a bad copy;
>> > they
>> > were ONLY given to OEMs. It's TabletXP--why won't the tabletXP PK
>> > &$#@(*
>> > activate it?!?
>> >
>> > "Rainald Taesler" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Chuck wrote:
>> >> > ... I have
>> >> > read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
>> >> > person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true, or
>> >> > is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this guy's
>> >> > keister?
>> >>
>> >> Yes, this is true.
>> >> MS will help you on this.
>> >> You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
>> >> thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.
>> >>
>> >> As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
>> >> the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid version.
>> >>
>> >> Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
>> >> 1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
>> >> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668
>> >>
>> >> 2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
>> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
>> >>
>> >> 3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
>> >> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
>> >> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
>> >> This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
>> >> key.
>> >>
>> >> HTH
>> >> Rainald
>> >> P.P. Pls report back
>> >> P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a
>> >> very
>> >> important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will have no
>> >> media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu support and
>> >> ask if the still have CDs available.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> .
>> >>
>> .
>>

Just to make sure:
Did you try the steps I recommebded?

Rainald

Chuck wrote:
> OK, none of this stuff seems to have worked, or at least not in the
> way I was anticipating. When I bring up the activation window, it
> shows the PK that's on the back of the tablet. Whether this is an
> actual change, or just because it's the last thing I manually input,
> I don't know. Either way, it still won't activate. Called MS and got
> to a real person--"Ben", riiiight--who told me the same thing
> Friendly Computer lady did: change the PK and call us back., Well,
> $^#%^*, if it was working right, I wouldn't call you guys at all,
> would I?? Arghh. I'll give it one more try and try to head "Bob" or
> whoever I get off at the pass and explain the situation. I just don't
> understand why it won't activate--you basically can't get a bad copy;
> they were ONLY given to OEMs. It's TabletXP--why won't the tabletXP
> PK &$#@(* activate it?!?
>
> "Rainald Taesler" wrote:
>
>> Chuck wrote:
>> > ... I have
>> > read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
>> > person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true,
>> > or is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this
>> > guy's keister?
>>
>> Yes, this is true.
>> MS will help you on this.
>> You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
>> thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.
>>
>> As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
>> the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid
>> version.
>>
>> Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
>> 1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
>>
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668
>>
>> 2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
>>
>> 3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
>> This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
>> key.
>>
>> HTH
>> Rainald
>> P.P. Pls report back
>> P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a
>> very important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will
>> have no media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu
>> support and ask if the still have CDs available.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> .

Yup. No activation. Zip, zero, nada. And the COA makes no notes of any SPs.
Which shouldn't make any difference (logically speaking, but we are talking
about MS here). If I somehow managed to reinstall a "virgin" XP, no SPs or
anything, what's the first thing that's gonna happen? Windows Update is gonna
download 'em. So updates in place really shouldn't matter. But I don't expect
common sense from Redmond.

"Rainald Taesler" wrote:

> Just to make sure:
> Did you try the steps I recommebded?
>
> Rainald
>
> Chuck wrote:
> > OK, none of this stuff seems to have worked, or at least not in the
> > way I was anticipating. When I bring up the activation window, it
> > shows the PK that's on the back of the tablet. Whether this is an
> > actual change, or just because it's the last thing I manually input,
> > I don't know. Either way, it still won't activate. Called MS and got
> > to a real person--"Ben", riiiight--who told me the same thing
> > Friendly Computer lady did: change the PK and call us back., Well,
> > $^#%^*, if it was working right, I wouldn't call you guys at all,
> > would I?? Arghh. I'll give it one more try and try to head "Bob" or
> > whoever I get off at the pass and explain the situation. I just don't
> > understand why it won't activate--you basically can't get a bad copy;
> > they were ONLY given to OEMs. It's TabletXP--why won't the tabletXP
> > PK &$#@(* activate it?!?
> >
> > "Rainald Taesler" wrote:
> >
> >> Chuck wrote:
> >> > ... I have
> >> > read that somewhere in the depths of that call, I can get to a real
> >> > person, and they should be able to activate for me. Is this true,
> >> > or is there some other option, or do I need to sic Paypal on this
> >> > guy's keister?
> >>
> >> Yes, this is true.
> >> MS will help you on this.
> >> You have a valid licence sticking to your TabletPC - this a special
> >> thing for the TabletPC OS-version which ever was sold separately.
> >>
> >> As to my experience this way will be a lot shorter than fighting with
> >> the seller who obviously has installed the OS with an invalid
> >> version.
> >>
> >> Prior to calling MS you might try the following:
> >> 1.) Use the MS "Windows Product Key Update Tool"
> >>
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/sel...4-6c84abc82d6f
> >> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=45668
> >>
> >> 2.) Read KB-Article 328874 and follow the steps shown there
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874/en-us
> >>
> >> 3.) Try to change the key with "Magical Jelly Bean" v. 1.5.1.
> >> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/old.shtml
> >> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/file...nder.v1.51.zip
> >> This version was the last one which had the feature of *changing* the
> >> key.
> >>
> >> HTH
> >> Rainald
> >> P.P. Pls report back
> >> P.P.S. It seems that you did not get the CDs for the OS. This is a
> >> very important issue as in case of a necessary re-install you will
> >> have no media und be in biggest possible troubles. Contact Fujitsu
> >> support and ask if the still have CDs available.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> .
>
> .
>