Windows XP install disk needed, have COA

Muse · 01-02-2013, 06:49 AM

I have a COA for an OEM system that's no longer being used. The disk I have for it won't boot. Can I get someone to make a copy of theirs and send it to me? I'll compensate you appropriately, cool? Let me know here and we can work it out in PMs... TIA.

lxskllr · 01-02-2013, 07:01 AM

Home or Pro? You can usually find an iso via torrents.

Muse · 01-02-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lxskllr

Home or Pro? You can usually find an iso via torrents.

Oh, cool, I didn't think of that. I'll hunt up a Pro version. Thanks!

Evander · 01-02-2013, 06:57 PM

I would not trust torrenting or otherwise downloading an unauthorized Windows distribution even if I had a legit license b/c of security concerns.

Muse · 01-02-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evander

I would not trust torrenting or otherwise downloading an unauthorized Windows distribution even if I had a legit license b/c of security concerns.

You have a point there.

I DLed a WinXP SP3 ISO today purported to be an untouched MSDN version. Unfortunately it would not accept my key and I had a devil of a time getting the system restored to where it would boot any of the 4 XP installs I have on the HDs. I deleted two of them after I managed to boot to a disk (it would not for a while), finally could access Windows. So, I go out there and find an ISO that's supposed to be WinXP SP3 OEM. Burned it to CDR, hopefully it will authenticate with the key. I have no idea if it will or won't. I'd feel much better if I could get someone to send me an exact copy of an actual WinXP OEM install disk. Don't know if it has to be SP2, like the one I have. It's no biggie, I already have SP3 downloaded to HD.

Fardringle · 01-03-2013, 12:18 AM

I have an ISO of the Dell XP Pro SP3 disc but I'm not sure how to get the 645MB file to you since I don't know of any free services that can share files that big.

Arkaign · 01-03-2013, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fardringle

I have an ISO of the Dell XP Pro SP3 disc but I'm not sure how to get the 645MB file to you since I don't know of any free services that can share files that big.

If you have gmail, click on 'drive' in the upper section, it gives you 5gb of free upload space for a virtual drive. You don't have to install the drive app if you don't want to. Then email it off with download permission enabled.

ViRGE · 01-03-2013, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muse

You have a point there.

I DLed a WinXP SP3 ISO today purported to be an untouched MSDN version. Unfortunately it would not accept my key and I had a devil of a time getting the system restored to where it would boot any of the 4 XP installs I have on the HDs. I deleted two of them after I managed to boot to a disk (it would not for a while), finally could access Windows. So, I go out there and find an ISO that's supposed to be WinXP SP3 OEM. Burned it to CDR, hopefully it will authenticate with the key. I have no idea if it will or won't. I'd feel much better if I could get someone to send me an exact copy of an actual WinXP OEM install disk. Don't know if it has to be SP2, like the one I have. It's no biggie, I already have SP3 downloaded to HD.

Welcome to the world of XP. One of it's greatest failings was that it was extremely picky about versions and keys; the media was keyed to specific versions in such a way that it required different media for each version. This is something Vista thankfully fixed (even if Win7+ tried to close it a bit with ei.cfg), but if you're servicing old XP machines all you can do is try to track down the matching media.

lxskllr · 01-03-2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViRGE

Welcome to the world of XP. One of it's greatest failings was that it was extremely picky about versions and keys; the media was keyed to specific versions in such a way that it required different media for each version. This is something Vista thankfully fixed (even if Win7+ tried to close it a bit with ei.cfg), but if you're servicing old XP machines all you can do is try to track down the matching media.

I wanted to say something in that regard, but I wasn't sure of all the differences, and didn't want to say something incorrect. XP was definitely a PITA to get media for.

I saw a torrent iso that includes most major manufacturers, and the three major XP versions in a multiboot iso. Not sure if it works well, or if it's clean, but that would be a useful thing to keep in your toolbox if it works.

chucky2 · 01-03-2013, 11:33 AM

OP PM me your shipping info and I'll send you a burned disk.

Fardringle · 01-03-2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkaign

If you have gmail, click on 'drive' in the upper section, it gives you 5gb of free upload space for a virtual drive. You don't have to install the drive app if you don't want to. Then email it off with download permission enabled.

Good call, thanks!

Muse, I'll PM you a link to the ISO download as soon as I finish uploading it to Google.

hoorah · 01-03-2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fardringle

I have an ISO of the Dell XP Pro SP3 disc but I'm not sure how to get the 645MB file to you since I don't know of any free services that can share files that big.

I have a similar image. I pulled it off a torrent site, which I dislike because, as others have mentioned, there are security concerns.

I mostly just use it now for reformatting dell computers I plan to sell on craigslist, so it doesn't worry me so much.

Its super convenient too - you don't even have to enter a key, it preactivates based on the bios. At least, I think it does anyway.

I have a similar windows 7 install disc that has been a big help in fixing OEM win 7 computers.

Muse · 01-03-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fardringle

Good call, thanks!

Muse, I'll PM you a link to the ISO download as soon as I finish uploading it to Google.

I think the ISO I torrented yesterday is OK. It took my key. Hope it will activate or I'll have to call MS. So, hold on, I don't think I'll need that disc, this is working, AFAIK. Thanks anyway!

I'll PM you this too.

In case anyone's curious or needs that disc, I got it here:

http://h33t.com/details.php?id=40818...c68c2677a33ca0

It is explained there that it's a clean untouched ISO of the OEM XP SP3 install and you'll need a key and that it doesn't work for OEM installs with manufacturer specific keys.

Fardringle · 01-03-2013, 01:31 PM

OK, well the image is uploaded now. Let me know if you decide that you want to use it.

douglasb · 01-03-2013, 01:40 PM

Try DigitalRiver maybe?

Regardless of where you find it, you should compare the checksum with whatever Microsoft says it should be.

Muse · 01-03-2013, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by douglasb

Try DigitalRiver maybe?

Regardless of where you find it, you should compare the checksum with whatever Microsoft says it should be.

How do I do there and where do I find out what it should be? Thanks.
---------
The install seemed to go OK, I have no indication that the disk isn't the same as MS's. The key was accepted and after I got my LAN driver installed I was able to activate online. Did my Windows Updates, got my SATA controller recognized, Ghosted the partition so I don't have to do this all over again, at least that's the plan. Also installed MSE and ran a quick scan which didn't report any problem.

This doesn't look like any kind of fudged software, crack, etc.

Muse · 01-03-2013, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fardringle

OK, well the image is uploaded now. Let me know if you decide that you want to use it.

OK, thanks!

I'll check my PMs, get the file. I think the install went OK, have no reason to think it's pirated, hacked, has a virus, a key reader or anything. I installed MSE and a quick scan found nothing. However, I'll be glad to have an ISO I can believe in!

Edit: I don't see a PM, could you give me the link? Thanks!

Chiefcrowe · 01-03-2013, 06:30 PM

If I were you i'd use the official ISO that Fardringle sent you, won't take that much time to reinstall from it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muse

OK, thanks!

I'll check my PMs, get the file. I think the install went OK, have no reason to think it's pirated, hacked, has a virus, a key reader or anything. I installed MSE and a quick scan found nothing. However, I'll be glad to have an ISO I can believe in!

Edit: I don't see a PM, could you give me the link? Thanks!

Muse · 01-03-2013, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefcrowe

If I were you i'd use the official ISO that Fardringle sent you, won't take that much time to reinstall from it.

I'm waiting on the link. Thanks.
- - - -
While we're on the subject of XP installs, I have a question. Is there any problem activating if I use the same key for multi-booting the same machine? Do you have to call them up to get them to accept it?

Muse · 01-03-2013, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fardringle

I have an ISO of the Dell XP Pro SP3 disc but I'm not sure how to get the 645MB file to you since I don't know of any free services that can share files that big.

The Dell install might not work with a non-manufacturer specific OEM key (what I have, I believe, looking at the COA), according to the site where I got the ISO I installed today:

http://h33t.com/details.php?id=40818...c68c2677a33ca0

Muse · 01-03-2013, 07:07 PM

duplicate

dave_the_nerd · 01-04-2013, 12:19 AM

Check these.

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...Untouched-ISOs)

Muse · 01-04-2013, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_the_nerd

Check these.

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/thr...Untouched-ISOs)

Very interesting. The information is plentiful and complex. It's not clear to me that the files are still available. Near the bottom of that long post in bold it says:

Unfortunately, as of today the mediafire account is suspended

Arkaign · 01-04-2013, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muse

The Dell install might not work with a non-manufacturer specific OEM key (what I have, I believe, looking at the COA), according to the site where I got the ISO I installed today:

http://h33t.com/details.php?id=40818...c68c2677a33ca0

I've used the Dell SP3 XP Pro CD for many many XP installs with varying non-Dell OEM keys before with no problems. Occassionally it won't auto-activate, so I call and it activates.

If you use it on a Dell with the right config, it skips activation process entirely or does it automatically, if you use it on another unit, it won't, and you have to put it in manually, which seems to work great.

andy2000 · 01-04-2013, 11:03 AM

I've had some luck installing from the wrong CD, an then changing the key with Microsoft's key update tool. Some CDs are better than others about which keys they will accept after install, but they are usually more tolerant than during install.

If you install from a Dell CD, it will automatically use the Dell OEM key which won't activate on a non-Dell PC (it won't even ask you for the key). You may be able to change the key to the correct one and have it activate.