XP Key Not Valid?

800 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by xxbassplayerxx, Dec 7, 2009

xxbassplayerxx

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2009

Hey guys. My friend brought his laptop over to me to "make it fast again." Obviously, my first choice was to wipe everything and reinstall the OS. So I backed everything up, formatted his hard drive, and then started the install.

His laptop had Windows XP Professional 32-bit on there originally. Since he didn't have the disk, I decided to use the Windows XP Professional SP2 32-bit .iso that I got through MSDNAA (the SP3 download is corrupted). I've almost finished the installation and I got to the point where it asks for the key. His key is still clearly printed on the bottom of the computer on the XP sticker. After entering the key and checking it quite a few times, it is still saying the key is not valid.

Any ideas? Is this because I'm starting from SP2 instead of with the original XP install?

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XAslanX

· #2 · Dec 7, 2009

You must use an OEM install disc for the key to work. The discs from MSDN are retail and will not work with an OEM key.

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Ziox

· #3 · Dec 7, 2009

Could it be that the key is made for a XP disc with a different service pack on it? I had that problem with my neighbors computer I had to find a disc with service pack 1 instead of 3. I might be totally wrong but Its the best I can do.

Ziox

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xxbassplayerxx

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 7, 2009

Grrrr. I might have one sitting around from my eeepc...

This has been installing for the past 2 hours

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DJZeratul

· #5 · Dec 7, 2009

Aslan is right. OEM keys are different from Retail keys are different from Volume License keys.

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halifax1

· #6 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by XAslanX

You must use an OEM install disc for the key to work. The discs from MSDN are retail and will not work with an OEM key.

this

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xxbassplayerxx

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 7, 2009

Thanks for the help guys. One more question. I didn't find my eeepc XP disk, but I did find the one pictured below from my XPS. It's 32-bit. Will it work?

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DJZeratul

· #8 · Dec 7, 2009

is it a dell laptop? Dell branded media is locked to Dell BIOS, so it wont install unless the BIOS is froma Dell computer.

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vwgti

· #9 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJZeratul

is it a dell laptop? Dell branded media is locked to Dell BIOS, so it wont install unless the BIOS is froma Dell computer.

That is wrong my friend, Ive used dell discs on hp/compaqs before with no problems.

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xxbassplayerxx

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 7, 2009

Actually, it is. It's old though. Will it make a difference?

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BIGGUN

· #11 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxbassplayerxx

Actually, it is. It's old though. Will it make a difference?

Then the Dell cd will work perfect and wont even ask for the key.

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xxbassplayerxx

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 7, 2009

Hmm! Well... it's off to try this out again...

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DJZeratul

· #13 · Dec 7, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwgti

That is wrong my friend, Ive used dell discs on hp/compaqs before with no problems.

Every Dell disc I have ever used on a non DELL computer gives me an error when setup starts saying that the disc is meant for a DELL computer only. HP/COmpaq may use the same OEM BIOS code as a DELL, who knows. I have tried DELL CDs on custom built PCs just because I needed to do a repair install and it was the first CD I found (with a legit OEM Key) and it hasn't ever let me into windows setup.

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xxbassplayerxx

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 7, 2009

Well... it worked! Now it's off to find drivers...

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