Looking for Win2000 Pro CD (I have a key, but no CD)

[Jason Doucette]

Where can I find a legitimate version of Windows 2000 Pro?
It is possible to order a Windows 2000 CD from Microsoft?

I have a legitimate key with my computer; I don't have the CD. I am unsure
which SP the key is for (I've been told it will work only for a CD with the
right SP).

I don't want to use a cracked version of Windows 2000 and/or use a key
changer program. They notoriously infested with viruses, spyware, and
scumware...

Thanks,

 

[Newbie Coder]

Jason,

You can only get replacement CD's from Microsoft if you can prove receipt,
which from your post you cannot do

If you have a COA (not just serial) & the law in your country doesn't
prohibit it then ask someone you know who has Windows 2000 to do you a copy.
Another way is to purchase one on ebay, but you'll paying a lot of money for
an OEM with COA & increasingly more if you can find a retail version. Never
buy off anyone less than 100% though who has many sales to his/her name.

I wrote a key viewer/changer application which until recently was on the
GotDotNet website. That was 100% virus/adware/malware & spyware free. So,
not all application like that contain 'Scumware' as you put it

 

[Jason Doucette]

Thanks for your reply,

You can only get replacement CD's from Microsoft if you can prove receipt,
which from your post you cannot do

No, I cannot prove receipt, since I bought the computer / Win2000 key from a
defunct company.

If you have a COA (not just serial) & the law in your country doesn't
prohibit it then ask someone you know who has Windows 2000 to do you a
copy.

I've been trying, but it's surprisingly hard. I've found that people who
think they have a legit copy have a cracked copy themselves. So, it's hard
to trust people, since they can't verify their sources.

The only way to be 100% certain is to obtain a physical copy of an original,
which I am sure I'd be allowed to use.

Another way is to purchase one on ebay, but you'll paying a lot of money
for
an OEM with COA & increasingly more if you can find a retail version.
Never
buy off anyone less than 100% though who has many sales to his/her name.

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll be paying a lot for something I don't
even need. I didn't think it would be such an issue to get a copy of just
the CD which refuses to work without a legit key...

I wrote a key viewer/changer application which until recently was on the
GotDotNet website. That was 100% virus/adware/malware & spyware free. So,
not all application like that contain 'Scumware' as you put it

Wow, great. The problem is that so much of it is scumware, how can you
trust any such program? Some local shops use key changer programs because
their copies are a different SP than the key was made for, so they install a
crack version with a crack key, upgrade all SPs, and then use a key changer
to put the legit key in. I don't know enough about this process to trust
it.

Thanks for your help,

 

[David Webb]

Some local shops use key changer programs because
their copies are a different SP than the key was made for, so they install a
crack version with a crack key, upgrade all SPs, and then use a key changer
to put the legit key in. I don't know enough about this process to trust
it.

Someone has given you some incorrect information pertaining to Windows 2000. The
Product Key does not change because of change in the SP level. If you think
about it, that scenario wouldn't make much sense, since Windows 2000 is now up
to SP4 which would have required the owner of an original version to obtain up
to four additional Product Keys during its life.

If you need to extract the Product Key from your existing system, download and
install the Belarc Advisor. It will audit your system and extract a complete
profile of PC, which includes the license info of any applicable software.

Regarding the use of a "key changer", one cannot change the Product Key of an
installed version of Windows 2000 using utilities like the
MagicJellyBeanKeyfinder (although it can be done in WinXP). To change this key
in Win2K, one must perform an in-place upgrade (this takes as long as a complete
install plus all patches must be reinstalled).

Regarding your initial problem, at this point in the like-cycle of Windows 2000,
I'd recommend borrowing a CD and making an exact copy of it for yourself. Be
sure that the CD is the same type (OEM, Retail, or Upgrade) as your installed
system and make a 1:1 copy, not simply a file copy, to insure its bootability.

 

[Jason Doucette]

David,

Thanks for your in-depth reply.

Someone has given you some incorrect information pertaining to Windows
2000. The
Product Key does not change because of change in the SP level. If you
think
about it, that scenario wouldn't make much sense, since Windows 2000 is
now up
to SP4 which would have required the owner of an original version to
obtain up
to four additional Product Keys during its life.

My understanding was only one key is required -- but one that matches the
CD's SP, to allow Win2000 to be installed. From there, you can update to
SP4 as you please.

You are saying that the key will match the CD regardless of its SP. My
source claims the opposite. Honestly, I would assume you are right, and I
just want a copy of Win2000 to try it...

If you need to extract the Product Key from your existing system, download
and
install the Belarc Advisor. It will audit your system and extract a
complete
profile of PC, which includes the license info of any applicable software.

I bought a used system with a Win2000 key taped on it, so I already have the
key. I just need a Win2000 CD.

Regarding the use of a "key changer", one cannot change the Product Key of
an
installed version of Windows 2000 using utilities like the
MagicJellyBeanKeyfinder (although it can be done in WinXP). To change this
key
in Win2K, one must perform an in-place upgrade (this takes as long as a
complete
install plus all patches must be reinstalled).

Ok. I'd prefer to stay away from key changers, anyway.

Regarding your initial problem, at this point in the like-cycle of Windows
2000,
I'd recommend borrowing a CD and making an exact copy of it for yourself.
Be
sure that the CD is the same type (OEM, Retail, or Upgrade) as your
installed
system and make a 1:1 copy, not simply a file copy, to insure its
bootability.

This is exactly what I want to do. My delima is: Where do I find such a
CD?

Thanks very much for your help!

 

[GHalleck]

Further replies in-line:

Jason Doucette wrote: >

My understanding was only one key is required -- but one that matches the
CD's SP, to allow Win2000 to be installed. From there, you can update to
SP4 as you please.

You are saying that the key will match the CD regardless of its SP. My
source claims the opposite. Honestly, I would assume you are right, and I
just want a copy of Win2000 to try it...

The Product Key should match the version of the Windows 2000 cdrom
from which it as installed. If the Windows 2000 cdrom is issued with
a specific SP, e.g., Windows 2000-SP2, then the PK will work with just
this particular version. And with the OEM version of Windows 2000-SP2,
major OEM's got specific blocks of their PK's for their COA's.

But if the SP was added as an update, then the key should be valid for
the original, pre-SP installation cdrom.

I bought a used system with a Win2000 key taped on it, so I already have the
key. I just need a Win2000 CD.

Yes...but the Windows 2000 cdrom must match the version specified by the
key that is taped to the case. As this sounds like an OEM version, take
note that the key might be locked into a specific, branded version of
Windows 2000, e.g., Compaq, HP, etc.

This is exactly what I want to do. My dilemna is: Where do I find such a
CD?

Know what you need to get. It might be written on the label attached to
the computer. Run Winver and check the description and the Product ID
number. The first five numbers in the serial defines the release of the
application that is installed. Go to Microsoft or check Google for what
this release number is associated. Good luck and good hunting!

 

[Jason Doucette]

The Product Key should match the version of the Windows 2000 cdrom

from which it as installed. If the Windows 2000 cdrom is issued with
a specific SP, e.g., Windows 2000-SP2, then the PK will work with just
this particular version.

I've obtained Win2000 Pro SP4, so I need a product key for SP4. I guess
I'll soon find out if my key matches...

But if the SP was added as an update, then the key should be valid for
the original, pre-SP installation cdrom.

So, if I had a PK for SP1, and a Win2000 Pro SP1 CD, then it would work, and
I could upgrade to SP4 from there?

Yes...but the Windows 2000 cdrom must match the version specified by the
key that is taped to the case. As this sounds like an OEM version, take
note that the key might be locked into a specific, branded version of
Windows 2000, e.g., Compaq, HP, etc.

Ok. The system is a Dell, from a defunct company, so that may be the case.
I hope not.

Know what you need to get. It might be written on the label attached to
the computer. Run Winver and check the description and the Product ID
number. The first five numbers in the serial defines the release of the
application that is installed. Go to Microsoft or check Google for what
this release number is associated. Good luck and good hunting!

I'll give what I have a try first, and if not... I'll follow your
suggestions. Thanks for all your tips!

 

[tim sewell]

I've obtained Win2000 Pro SP4, so I need a product key for SP4. I guess
I'll soon find out if my key matches...

Jason,

I have a CD with Win 2000 Pro SP4, and that installs without any problem
with the PK that came with Win2000 Pro SP2 when my system was built.

HTH

 

[Jason Doucette]

I have a CD with Win 2000 Pro SP4, and that installs without any problem

with the PK that came with Win2000 Pro SP2 when my system was built.

Great, thanks, Tim. I am not sure which SP my PK's were originally for, but
they work with my Win 2000 Pro SP4.

 

[ByTor]

Great, thanks, Tim. I am not sure which SP my PK's were originally for, but
they work with my Win 2000 Pro SP4.

Just to clarify.......There is *no* hacked/cracked version of 2K with an
install full of crap that I've ever come across. The key used is the
difference in legality.

If you have access to binary groups & know how to download I can upload
a full install CD of 2K Pro for you. It will be clean so you'd have to
apply SP4 and all the updates. My slipstreamed CD's already have my key
used during install so I wouldn't be able to upload those.

Say the word & it's yours.

 

[Jason Doucette]

If you have access to binary groups & know how to download I can upload

a full install CD of 2K Pro for you. It will be clean so you'd have to
apply SP4 and all the updates. My slipstreamed CD's already have my key
used during install so I wouldn't be able to upload those.

Say the word & it's yours.

Thanks for your offer, but I now have a legitimate copy of Win2000 Pro SP4.

Take care,

 

[ByTor]

Thanks for your offer, but I now have a legitimate copy of Win2000 Pro SP4.

Take care,

Glad to hear it, good luck!