OK, I have to try and keep this short, it's long story.
A while ago I bought XP on ebay for my first custom built PC. Turns out it was an OEM version, but still shrink wrapped and all. So of course, activation didn't work, called up MS, eventually got some kind of key and it worked. A few months later my HDD was screwing up, so I reformatted, ended up doing the same thing, called MS, etc.
Now, my HDD was screwing up again last week, and I knew I needed to get an RMA. So, I downloaded a tool to detect my XP product key, and it turned out to be the exact same key as my family Compaq computer.....which was also a key that the MS lady gave me on the phone.......I don't get how.
Soo, my new HDD is now in, and I just got off the phone w/ MS. This time, the guy basically told me sorry, you have to buy a 'real' version since its OEM. I got mad of course, telling him it's not like I pirated the version and plus 2 other MS people were nice and helped me out.
So then, I went to the activation screen, and clicked "Change product key" and did like the computer woman told me after I called up AGAIN. I put in the OEM key, no luck. Then, I put in the key that the MS person told me way back (the one that matches my Compaq) and voila! It activated.
Now what in the world is going on?? Can I get in trouble somehow for something? I am just so confused and I want an explanation.
I hope this made sense to somebody, cause it certainly doesn't make sense to me.
A while ago I bought XP on ebay for my first custom built PC. Turns out it was an OEM version, but still shrink wrapped and all. So of course, activation didn't work, called up MS, eventually got some kind of key and it worked. A few months later my HDD was screwing up, so I reformatted, ended up doing the same thing, called MS, etc.
Now, my HDD was screwing up again last week, and I knew I needed to get an RMA. So, I downloaded a tool to detect my XP product key, and it turned out to be the exact same key as my family Compaq computer.....which was also a key that the MS lady gave me on the phone.......I don't get how.
Soo, my new HDD is now in, and I just got off the phone w/ MS. This time, the guy basically told me sorry, you have to buy a 'real' version since its OEM. I got mad of course, telling him it's not like I pirated the version and plus 2 other MS people were nice and helped me out.
So then, I went to the activation screen, and clicked "Change product key" and did like the computer woman told me after I called up AGAIN. I put in the OEM key, no luck. Then, I put in the key that the MS person told me way back (the one that matches my Compaq) and voila! It activated.
Now what in the world is going on?? Can I get in trouble somehow for something? I am just so confused and I want an explanation.
I hope this made sense to somebody, cause it certainly doesn't make sense to me.
