No Internet: Stuck in a Windows XP Validation/ service pack install loop.

[Davidh373]

Here is the thing. I have reinstalled windows XP on an old system and it asks me to validate windows (with 59 days left, plenty of time I think). Anyways, I think this will be easily explained in order of a list.

1. installed windows XP

2. Installed network/ internet drivers

3. network/ internet drivers require sp. 2

4. can't get sp.1 or 2 because I don't have a valid copy of windows yet, because I don't have internet yet! O_O.

Any ideas?

 

[RebateMonger]

I know of no version of XP that allows 59 days of Activation Grace time. It's zero days, 3 days, or 30 days.

You need to find a CD bearing the XP SP2 files. MS published many of them. Or find another computer, download the installable version of SP2 onto either a USB flash device or burn it to a CD/DVD. I'd burn the CD because your XP may not be able to read a flash device yet.

The full XP SP2 download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

Also, after you get all this working, use NLite (http://nliteos.com) to "slipstream" SP2 into your XP Install CD, along with your network drivers. It's pretty easy and quick to do and will avoid this problem next time. The newly-created slipstreamed XP Install CD will install XP SP2 instead of whatever you have now, along with the right network drivers so you can get other updates.

Oh...and you COULD do a telephone Activation of XP if you want, instead of an online Activation. It should only take a few minutes.

 

[newaj]

I have experience the same problem with yours which is getting a "validating identity". Usually, you are getting it when the encryption is WEP. What you can do is to change the encryption to WPA mode.

 

[drebo]

Activate by telephone?

 

[Davidh373]

I have experience the same problem with yours which is getting a "validating identity". Usually, you are getting it when the encryption is WEP. What you can do is to change the encryption to WPA mode.

Not a problem I am having. I have had that problem and know how to fix it. This is not detecting a connection at all through straight lan.

Oh...and you COULD do a telephone Activation of XP if you want, instead of an online Activation. It should only take a few minutes.

Even if I could, it still wouldn't have solved the SP issue. I stayed up late last night and solved the issue. I actually torrented an .iso of Windows XP Media Center Ed. with SP 3. I installed it, ran my legal key through it and it works. I know at it wasn't the most legit way to do things, but it was the fastest work around I thought of at 4am. It's legit now anyways.

I actually had to use a wireless usb adapter to connect wirelessly, because I found something wrong with the extender/ hub I was using to connect two cables together, or it might be the ethernet cable. I'm troubleshooting that now. Thank you for all of your help guys. I will do it rebatemonger's way from now on.

EDIT: Problem resolved, it was the cheap hub.