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. 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.
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. Originally posted by: Nvidiaguy07the 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 ). 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 on MSFN.
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. 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? 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.
Windows Xp Pro Sp2 - Untouched Retail Serial Code
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?