Troubleshooting "Invalid Product Key" Error Message During Setup (232142)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q232142

SYMPTOMS

When you type your product key during the installation of Windows 95 or Windows 98, you may receive the following error message:
The Product Key you entered is invalid.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if one or more of the following conditions exist:
  • The proper product key was not entered.
  • Anti-virus software is running during Setup.
  • The installation CD-ROM is damaged.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, perform the following steps in order, testing to determine if the issue is resolved after each step:
  1. Check the product key to ensure that it is for the version of the operating system that you are attempting to install. For example, if you are installing Windows 98, make sure that you are using the product key that is on the back of the Windows 98 CD-ROM case or package included with the Windows 98 CD-ROM.

    NOTE: If you are unable to locate your product key, or your product key label is damaged, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For more information, please see the following Microsoft Web site:

    http://support.microsoft.com/gp/assistsupport

  2. Verify that your anti-virus software is not running when you run Windows Setup. For information about how to disable your anti-virus software, view the documentation included with your anti-virus program, or contact the manufacturer of your anti-virus program.
  3. Disable the anti-virus settings in your computer's Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) before starting Setup. For information about how to do so, view the documentation included with your motherboard or computer, or contact the manufacturer of your motherboard or computer.
  4. Verify that your installation media is not damaged. If it is, replace it.
  5. Verify that the computer's system date is correct. For information about how to check the date in your computer's CMOS settings, view the documentation included with your motherboard or computer, or contact the manufacturer of your motherboard or computer.
  6. "Clean-boot" your computer and start Setup again. For information about how to perform clean-boot troubleshooting, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98

  7. Install the operating system from a command prompt instead of from Windows.

    NOTE: You may also start your computer with a Windows 98 Startup disk with CD-ROM support and then install the operating system.
  8. Run Setup from a "flat" folder on your hard disk.
  9. Use the ScanDisk tool to check your hard disk for errors. To do so, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click ScanDisk.
  10. Add the following line to the Config.sys file:

    device=c:\windows\himem.sys /int15=16000

    For information about how to edit the Config.sys file, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    232558 How to Modify the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat Files

  11. Use the number keys on the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad to type the product key.

MORE INFORMATION

When installing an international version, Setup may use the US keyboard layout rather than the correct international keyboard layout, so that letters such as Z and Y that are in one position on the German keyboard are in a different position on the US keyboard. In this example, you would need to type the German Z where the product ID has a Y and so on.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/20/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup kbtshoot KB232142
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.