Where to get XP Pro ISO?

[SuperSix]

Trying to install on my son's computer. Using my CD, it won't take the key, my copy is an NFP I got from Intel, and it seems to not like the non-NFR, OEM CD key. (My copy has the same yellow key as the Action Pack version, and it's specifying "Enter your CD Key as listed on the yellow sticker on the back of your CD Case)

Is there a LEGAL place to D/L a WinXP Pro OEM ISO?

 

[Psynaut]

You can download it off most torrent sites, but I don't think it is as easy as that. Certain keys work with certain versions, and by versions I don't just mean corporate vs. home, I mean the version of home on your disk. Over the years the XP disk changed; I have a really old XP disk that won't even recognize a hard drive over 160 (I think) GB. As versions of XP changed, the key changed too.

This is my understanding from my own personal experience. Experts, here, may very well know more/different about this.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Psynaut
You can download it off most torrent sites, but I don't think it is as easy as that. Certain keys work with certain versions, and by versions I don't just mean corporate vs. home, I mean the version of home on your disk. Over the years the XP disk changed; I have a really old XP disk that won't even recognize a hard drive over 160 (I think) GB. As versions of XP changed, the key changed too.

This is my understanding from my own personal experience. Experts, here, may very well know more/different about this.

I think you are right. Argh.. It's the only damn copy I ever paid for (won others in contests/etc), and because my psycho ex stole my CD folder - I'm out 140.00. Bitch.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Look at your PMs.

 

[HannibalX]

Call Microsoft. You can buy media from them for cheap (usually like $12 or similar).

If your copy is in fact legit they can help you.

 

[RebateMonger]

Most Microsoft NFR software is Retail-like and uses Retail Keys.

And, no, there's no Microsoft-approved place to download an XP Pro OEM ISO.

If it's a major-brand PC (Dell, HP, etc.) you can try asking the manufacturer for a replacment disk. I've had great luck with Dells on this front. Don't know about HP or eMachines.

If it's a generic (System Builder) OEM disk, Microsoft has a web page to help you replace it. I don't have the link, but you can search MS' site.

 

[SuperSix]

Thanks all for the help - I have some ideas I am working on. Last ditch - I can get a replacement disk from MS.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Good luck. Also I wouldn't worry about the 'legal' place to download from either assuming that you check the MD5 hash to ensure that the files aren't tampered with. You've got valid licenses to use the OS, that gives you the legal right to sufficient copies and backups of the OS install discs/files for your uses. If you happen to borrow one or be given one it is not illegal any more than having a friend slipstream one for you or something like that. What matters is that you're licensed to have it.

 

[corkyg]

Join Microsoft's TechNet Plus and you can download ISO files for all current OS's along with valid keys.

The current XP Pro ISO file is slip streamed with SP3. Nice!

So, it costs $500. (They just raised it from $350) But for that you can get ALL the OS's and many apps in ISO format along with legit keys, and you can install each one 10 times. You can't beat that with a stick.

TNP

 

[QuixoticOne]

There are some 40% off discount codes floating around Microsoft Blogs and other forums too; I assume the promotions may still be going on. That is a bit overkill though if someone just needs a reinstall image for personal use and doesn't plan to be involved with IT much beyond that.

 

[cvrefugee]

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a similar question. Would I be able to use the product keys on the side of a computer (HP, Dell, etc.) with the same XP Home OEM disc (slipstreamed with SP3)?

 

[QuixoticOne]

In general the "Pid" in \I386\SETUPP.INI plus the Disc Volume label
appear to be the main differentiators of many OEM vs Retail vs Upgrade disc installation processes for XP.
If you are making a custom install image to handle your systems you can often start with one edition of a disc and thereby customize the generated installation images to handle different systems / keys used in your facility. You can even make a custom "unattended" install disc or install file set for a given system that specifies the proper key for that system, installs the right drivers for that system, and installs various desired 3rd party software too -- this is able to be done by customizing a second file, WINNT.SIF.
NLITE is a tool that can help you generate customized install images, recovery discs, make slipstreamed install discs (e.g. take an XP SP1 CD and create from it an XP SP3 install CD), etc.
See the following links and various other references to SETUPP.INI, WINNT.SIF, NLITE, slipstreaming, et. al. for everything you'd want/need to know.

If the PID of the software you install matches your legitimately used key type in general I am told that you should be able to call in and activate the system without a problem, even if doing the internet based activation may not always work depending on whatever Microsoft's heuristics are.

For XP you can copy all the files in the \I386\ directory and every other directory / file under that from the CD to a hard disc or USB flash drive and just install by running \I386\SETUP.EXE
In this case, obviously the volume label of the CD is irrelevant since you're not even installing from CD. It is often much faster to install from these flash disk or hard disc copies of the installer files rather than the CD, and of course it is more convenient to use these with customized installs as well.


http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html
http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/Product_IDs
http://unattended.msfn.org/unattended.xp/view/web/19/



This is all pretty much standard documented commonly recommended by Microsoft stuff; it just is getting more popular for consumers instead of dedicated sysadmins to do as the need for making slipstreamed discs and customized ones with SATA drivers included etc. increases due to SP3 and the new hardware models out there etc.

Edit
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=422&p=1

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added & fixed

 

[QuixoticOne]

kurtsh.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!DA410C7F7E038D!1665.entry