APOLLOSTEES

I am doing a fresh install of WinXP Pro on a laptop. I don't have the original recovery disk that came with the laptop, but I do have a copy of WinXP PRO.

I reinstalled WinXP PRO on the laptop and attempted to enter the product key listed on the bottom of the laptop, (It's original product key) but it keeps giving me the error: "The CD Key you entered in not valid".
It won't even let me continue pass this step to complete the installation.

Is the media specific to the product key?

I thought all I needed was a valid product key?

What am I overlooking?

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Outcasst

The key installed could be linked to a special version of XP for your laptop manufacturer therefore it wouldn't work on normal XP

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Mmansueto

that is all you need. You can call Microsoft at 800-642-7676 and tell tham what happened. They will ask you for the numbers on the inner-circle of the CD and if they find them in their system they will give you a new product code. i had to do this with xp, when i lost my product code. he may be right (the post above me). i would call Microsoft though. I installed it on a laptop just fine after i got a new code.

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magus.tsf

the media is only specific to the product key in the way that you have to use the right version of the disc. If the copy of xp pro you have on disk is an upgrade or corporate version the product key on you laptop will not work. You will need either a full retail disc or oem disc to complete the installation.

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APOLLOSTEES

Your right. I figured out that my disc has SP2 on it and this old laptop I'm sure had SP1 so it won't even expect this key. Is there anyway to get the media for free if you already have a key.

I can't see paying for XP PRO SP1 when I'm only going to upgrade it to SP3.

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magus.tsf

an sp2 disk will work with an sp1 product key. On the product key sticker on the bottom of your laptop it should tell you which type of install it is. It will list the OS version usually followed by the manufacturers name if it is a major brand.

Is the disk you are using an original disk or a copy?

If it is a copy then it will be that, that is causing the problem. The only way to get the media for free will be to borrow an original disk off a friend. Ms will charge you about $15 to replace the disk, and you can get that by telephoning them.

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Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.

Bitemarks and bloodstains

basicaly you need a oem copy of xp pro for your licence to work

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APOLLOSTEES

OK OK, guys you all were right. I got the correct media and windows installed without a hitch.

My question now though is: how do I make windows run the first time setup tutorial?

It was necessary for me to go past the setup tutorial because I wanted to make sure the lappy had all it's basic drivers. But, now I want to give it some one as if they got a new machine and I want them to see the setup tutorial that windows runs on it's first start up.

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magus.tsf

There is a folder on the CD called Support. Extract all the files from he support.cab file into a directory in the root of C:

Once you have done that run the file called Sysprep.exe

select the factory option and then select the reboot option in the bottom dropdown and click ok. The computer will now restart into an oem installation mode.

Once you have done that, and the computer has restarted sysprep should run automatically. Select reseal in the top option and shutdown in the bottom option. tick the box for reset security identifiers and click ok.

now when the laptop is restarted it will ask whoever has it to accept the ms licence agreement and enter the licence number from the bottom sticker. It wil then go through the oobe. (Out of box experience) which is the startup wizard you wanted.

Hope this helps.

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Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by itslef but the wrod as a wlohe.