I recently had a computer built. and it came with XP Pro installed on it. worked great for a while until i got bombared with Virus and a trojan horse. so ran my virus programs and all seemed to be ok. and in a day or two it starting to misbehave again. so i formated it and tried to reinstall XP Pro but it will not accept the Code that was given to me by the one who built the computer. so i called him yesterday and told him of my problem and i read the numbers out to him and he checked and said it was right. I can't understand why it want work. could some one give me an idea of what went wrong.
would be greatful for any help. thanks TOMD

In all my years I have never seen an XP that doesnt work with the code key it came with so either :
1) He has given you the wrong key or
2) You are using a different disc to the one that was supplied with the PC
An XP home key will not work with XP pro, and different versions of XP pro are not compatible in this way either.

Hang on. Arent OEMs supposed to provide a COA? naughty naughty.

If you had the computer built, then you should also have been given the original installation CDs for XP and the COA. After all, that's what you paid for.

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Thanks to all who answered, for my problem. as i said he said that i have the right Code so i guess i will let it go. he also said he didn't know what else to do. he never offered to reinstall it or any thing else so i guess thats it.
I will know better next time.
Thanks TOMD

My point is...you should have received the proper OS software and COA. Did you pay to have this computer built, or did you just have a friend do it for you?

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You could call Microsoft's Piracy Hotline. I think they give you a free one if you report someone not abiding by the rules.

You can avoid many of these Windows problems with Linux. Linspire eases the transition for new users