So I'm installing XP Pro... legitimatley for once.... and I don't understand

[acemcmac]

why when I have a legitimate CD key on the side of the fvcking box why I can't use my tried and true XP Pro install cd....

If I use a key... say from work, which I'm not licenced to do- I know it will work fine, but if I use the REAL key from the SIDE OF THE DELL, nogo. Can someone explain this to me?

Microsoft XP Pro install cd + Real, undistributed cd key from side of late model Dell = no install....

 

What do you mean by "no go"? What type of error do you get?

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: jumpr
What do you mean by "no go"? What type of error do you get?

Says the key is invalid

 

[thomsbrain]

perhaps they added more or updated keys after adding SP1 or SP2 to the install disks, and you're using an older disk? just grasping at straws here.

edit: or vise versa

 

[The Stigenator]

make sure you are typing it right. The way they print that code.. its sometimes hard to say what's what. Get some better light on that sticker. I had that issue when i reinstalled.

 

[MX2]

The key on the side of the box might be specifically tied to thet PC maker and the install disks that came with that PC?

 

[Jassi]

Are you using an OEM key on the retail install disc? That might create an issue.

 

[dartworth]

I have a new 700m from Dell. On the bottom of the laptop it has a XP Home sticker. I ordered it with XP Home. When I opened the CD drive, there was a Dell XP Pro CD in the drive.

I did a clean format of the whole drive and reinstalled XP Pro. Works with windows update too...

strange...but I'm not complaining...

 

[AmberClad]

The Dell OEM cd key on the side (or bottom if it's a laptop) of the case only work with a certain subset of XP CDs. The exact XP CD that shipped with the system will always work. Other Dell OEM XP CDs may not neccessarily work because they're produced in batchs, and a certain CD key will only work with a particular batch. Other retail CDs, I doubt will work.

Where is the XP CD that came with the Dell?

 

[dukdukgoos]

Originally posted by: Jassi
Are you using an OEM key on the retail install disc? That might create an issue.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: Jassi
Are you using an OEM key on the retail install disc? That might create an issue.

pretty much. who wants to use the OEM install anyway, all junked up with dell software you dont want :roll:

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: AmberClad
The Dell OEM cd key on the side (or bottom if it's a laptop) of the case only work with a certain subset of XP CDs. The exact XP CD that shipped with the system will always work. Other Dell OEM XP CDs may not neccessarily work because they're produced in batchs, and a certain CD key will only work with a particular batch. Other retail CDs, I doubt will work.

Where is the XP CD that came with the Dell?

even if I had it, I woudln't use it. I don't want Dell's software installed on this box... tons and tons of unnecessary bloat... that and the spyware are the whole reason im formatting to begin with. I hate OEM installs :|

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: Jassi
Are you using an OEM key on the retail install disc? That might create an issue.

pretty much. who wants to use the OEM install anyway, all junked up with dell software you dont want :roll:

Read my post above. Retail versions of XP will not work with the Dell key. Also, the Dell XP CDs contain no junk, it's just like the normal version except for a program that lets you call Dell for assistance (it doesn't contain the crapware programs). Those spyware programs you're thinking of are factory installed using another CD that came with the Dell, one which you probably don't have either. I would know, since I've used five Dells. Many Dell users reinstall XP using the Dell OEM CD as soon as they receive their shipment to get rid of the bloatware.

 

[crizzar]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
why when I have a legitimate CD key on the side of the fvcking box why I can't use my tried and true XP Pro install cd....

If I use a key... say from work, which I'm not licenced to do- I know it will work fine, but if I use the REAL key from the SIDE OF THE DELL, nogo. Can someone explain this to me?

Microsoft XP Pro install cd + Real, undistributed cd key from side of late model Dell = no install....

ones from work (and usually pirated ones) are going to usually be the corporate editions of pro that don't require activation. That key on the dell will only work with an OEM copy of XP Pro... not retail, not corporate

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: acemcmac

Originally posted by: AmberClad
The Dell OEM cd key on the side (or bottom if it's a laptop) of the case only work with a certain subset of XP CDs. The exact XP CD that shipped with the system will always work. Other Dell OEM XP CDs may not neccessarily work because they're produced in batchs, and a certain CD key will only work with a particular batch. Other retail CDs, I doubt will work.

Where is the XP CD that came with the Dell?

even if I had it, I woudln't use it. I don't want Dell's software installed on this box... tons and tons of unnecessary bloat... that and the spyware are the whole reason im formatting to begin with. I hate OEM installs :|

Tons of bloat? Buy a bigger drive. You paid for the OEM version, you should use an OEM verion. :roll:

 

[dukdukgoos]

Just use a corporate key and have done with it. I'll never understand why *anybody* who builds their own PCs installs XP with that horrible product activation BS.

 

[br0adband]

If you're trying to use a Windows XP Home Edition key to install Windows XP Professional, you can quit now. It'll never work.

I think that's what the problem is since almost every single consumer PC sold by Dell comes with Windows XP Home Edition unless the consumer specifically requests and pays for the upgrade to Windows XP Professional Edition.

Unless that sticker "on the side of the fvcking box" says Windows XP Professional Edition, you're beating a dead horse.

Just my $.02.
bb

 

[yukichigai]

Okay, here's how it works:

XP comes in three flavors: Retail, OEM and VLK. ("Corporate") Each of these versions has a specific key hash tied to it. What this means is that a VLK key won't work on a Retail CD, etc. etc. Chances are good the CD you have is a VLK version, which has no activation requirement. There is no possibility that the key on the side of your computer is a VLK version, since VLK versions are legally only for upgrading. The key on the side of your computer is going to be an OEM key, so you need to get an OEM CD to install using that key.

Also, as has been mentioned there's a good chance the key you have is for XP Home. If it doesn't have "Professional" on the sticker then it's likely it's for XP Home.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Tons of bloat? Buy a bigger drive. You paid for the OEM version, you should use an OEM verion. :roll:

There's a difference between OEM XP and the "system restore" discs that you get with most OEM computers, save for HPs. System restore discs are often three discs of compressed info, meaning you can wind up installing as much as 8 gigs of data for the "OS". A lot of it is stuff you don't want/need, like a free trial of AOL/ESPN.com/Earthlink/Petz/etc. (I love the AOL thing, because when you uninstall AOL it takes out your f%$#ing WAN driver, meaning you have no internet access)

I highly recommend you get a copy of the XP OEM disc from somewhere. (not a system restore disc) It will have just XP and nothing more.