getting cd key not valid when installing xp with sp3

[Nvidiaguy07]

So to save myself time i downloaded a version of xp that already has sp3 included with it. I checked with msdn to make sure that the SHA and MD5 were the same. Im trying to reinstall XP on a friends computer and now im getting a message saying my cd key is not valid. I know it is because if i use an older CD it doesn't give me that message.

If it makes any difference this is a very old computer and was probably purchased right when xp came out. I think the cd worked for my version of xp which was purchased when sp2 came out.

This is the one i downloaded from msdn: Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 (x86) - CD (English)

with this hash: 5A6B959AD24D15DC7EBD85E501B83D105D1B37C6

 

[Dahak]

if you are using the oem key that is on the machine, that would be the reason for the invalid key as the keys are specific to the type of installation media
ie msdn keys on msdn media, oem keys oem media, retail keys retail media

if you still have the old cd you can easily slipstream sp3 and make it bootable with nlite from www.nliteos.com

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

i dont think that they saved the cd. Where is there just a basic version of windows that i can download? Does msdn have a version that will work on this system?

i chose the most basic one but i also see:
Windows XP Home K with Service Pack 3 (x86) - CD (English)
Windows XP Home N with Service Pack 3 (x86) - CD (English)
Windows XP Home KN with Service Pack 3 (x86) - CD (English)
Windows XP Home with Service Pack 3 (x86) - CD (English) <the one i have

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

what about this: <redacted>

It seems like what you told me to do except someone has already done it for me.

No piracy please.
-ViRGE

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

any ideas?

 

[MrChad]

I don't think you can download OEM versions of XP from MSDN. You'll need to find a different source.

 

[bruceb]

The problem is either you have an XP Home Edition on the PC and you downloaded XP Pro with SP3 or the other way around. Or you have an OEM XP on the pc and you downloaded a Retail copy of XP or the other way around. Keys and Version / Type must match or it will be rejected. On the computer with the trouble go to Start, Run type in WINVER .. this will tell you what you have on there HOME / PRO .. You can go into My Computer, Propeties to find out the type OEM or RETAIL which you can tell by the Product ID which will be on the first tab. You can then find the correct media

 

[RebateMonger]

Is this a name-brand PC (Dell, HP, etc) or is it something else? Is there an OEM COA sticker on the side of the PC showing the license Key?

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

the computer is an older gateway, there is a sticker on the side that says windows xp home with a serial. doesnt say OEM or retail.

Bruce, the computer has already been formatted and the new OS has been loaded on, so wont going and checking those just show me what kind of cd i just loaded?

This just seems weird because I downloaded xp home sp2 from the same website and it seemed to work on almost every computer i fixed. I have a feeling that MS decided to screw people who bought xp before the service packs and discontinue their serial if they want to use new cds. I know this sounds crazy but I wouldnt doubt it and i remember reading something about this somewhere.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Nvidiaguy07
the computer is an older gateway, there is a sticker on the side that says windows xp home with a serial. doesnt say OEM or retail.

Bruce, the computer has already been formatted and the new OS has been loaded on, so wont going and checking those just show me what kind of cd i just loaded?

This just seems weird because I downloaded xp home sp2 from the same website and it seemed to work on almost every computer i fixed. I have a feeling that MS decided to screw people who bought xp before the service packs and discontinue their serial if they want to use new cds. I know this sounds crazy but I wouldnt doubt it and i remember reading something about this somewhere.

There's a couple of things at play here.

First is that there are 2 types of media when it comes to XP Home - retail and OEM. Retail product keys do not work with OEM media and vice versa.

Secondly, most major OEMs (such as Gateway, Dell, Acer, HP, etc.) come pre-activated from the factory. Their OEM CDs have special sets of files that check the computer's BIOS to ensure that it matches a set of signatures. If the BIOS matches, the operating system is activated, otherwise you will have to activate the online or over the phone. In fact, on most of these OEMs, the CD key on the Certificate of Authenticity sticker will not match the key that's registered with the operating system.

Microsoft did disable online activation for COA keys that came with pre-activated OEMs (see article). The thought here is that if you have a Dell, Gateway, HP, etc., you should be using the media that came with your computer and you won't need to activate online. However, it sounds like what you're seeing is Windows setup rejecting the key, which implies that its a retail vs. OEM media issue.

It is possible to build a pre-activated OEM XP CD from an existing install. There's a decent guide on MSFN.

 

[RebateMonger]

If you are getting the Key off a sticker on the case, then you are using an OEM Key. MSDN XP downloads are NOT OEM versions and won't accept an OEM Key.

The BEST solution is to acquire an original Gateway XP Install CD. Dell gives them away pretty freely, but I don't know what Gateway's practice is.

Second best is to use a "generic" OEM CD. It should accept the Gateway Key on the sticker, but it won't Activate online. You'd have to call Microsoft and ask them to allow Activation. MS denies online Activation using the Keys on the side of the case because people would go to Best Buy, read the stickers, and use those Keys to Activate their home PCs.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

I hope this doesnt get me banned but: if i did somehow get a cd that claims to me OEM or "untouched" with sp3 slipstreamed. Is there any chance that there could be a virus hidden? I know the obvious answer is yes there is a chance but if i install it and enter the serial and it works then run a virus scan would it be able to detect a virus if there was one?

I guess my question is: if you can slipstream a service pack onto an xp disk, can you do the same with a virus? and if so can it be detected?

 

[ImDonly1]

Yes, you can slipstream anything you want. If you are worried about a virus on the CD. Then sure virus scan it and download it from a trusted source (read the comments on torrent sites). I am not encouraging piracy. I am assuming you have a valid CD Key and are just missing the CD.

 

[RebateMonger]

There's tons of sealed Gateway XP Home Restore CDs on eBay right now. I don't know what the legality is now days. eBay USED to cancel these auctions when they found them. I know there was at least one company that specialized in Restore CDs for name-brand PCs. I don't remember the name or know if they are still in business.

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

Originally posted by: ImDonly1
Yes, you can slipstream anything you want. If you are worried about a virus on the CD. Then sure virus scan it and download it from a trusted source (read the comments on torrent sites). I am not encouraging piracy. I am assuming you have a valid CD Key and are just missing the CD.

I agree with you, the serial is valid just no cd. The comments all seem ok but when you say scan it do you mean scan the image or scan the computer after i install?

Im mainly just concerned with some hidden virus type program that can steal my info or anything.

 

[1LordEmperor1]

I had this problem recently when working on someone's Dell. They no longer had their Dell OEM disk, a non-specific OEM disk can install but won't activate.

I called M$, as soon as I mentioned it was a Dell they shut me out and told me to call Dell or fork out some real $$$s for support.

Dell can't activate windows getting the system running legitimately that day was a lost cause.

As usual, copy protection / activation only hurt legitimate users.

 

[ImDonly1]

Originally posted by: Nvidiaguy07

Originally posted by: ImDonly1
Yes, you can slipstream anything you want. If you are worried about a virus on the CD. Then sure virus scan it and download it from a trusted source (read the comments on torrent sites). I am not encouraging piracy. I am assuming you have a valid CD Key and are just missing the CD.

I agree with you, the serial is valid just no cd. The comments all seem ok but when you say scan it do you mean scan the image or scan the computer after i install?

Im mainly just concerned with some hidden virus type program that can steal my info or anything.

I would scan after install and check task manager for processes that seem uncommon. If you have a private torrent account that would be best and read the comments on the torrent. If there is a virus 1 of the 200 comments would probably point it out.


Also another thing you can try. Not sure if this will work, but... if you install XP from MSDN like you have and install with a bootleg key. Then you activate and Windows will say invalid key and fail activation and ask for a new key. What happens if you type in the OEM Dell key then? Won't it work then since it authenticates with the MS server and then the key doesn't matter if OEM/Retail etc.? Just a guess/question maybe someone can answer?