"The Product Key you entered is invalid."

[Bri]

I am getting this message while trying to reinstall Windows XP Pro on my
computer. I am reading the product key right off the computer case and have
double checked that I am typing it correctly.

Please note that I do not have the original CD. I have tried using two
different XP Pro CDs: XP w/ SP1 and XP w/SP2. Neither have worked.

How can I go about getting XP installed? The computer is a couple years old
so maybe the CD I need is XP Pro (no Service Packs) however I do not have any
media for that.

Any help would be great!!

 

[smlunatick]

I am getting this message while trying to reinstall Windows XP Pro on my
computer.  I am reading the product key right off the computer case andhave
double checked that I am typing it correctly.

Please note that I do not have the original CD. I have tried using two
different XP Pro CDs:  XP w/ SP1 and XP w/SP2. Neither have worked.

How can I go about getting XP installed?  The computer is a couple years old
so maybe the CD I need is XP Pro (no Service Packs) however I do not haveany
media for that.

Any help would be great!!

You the Product key sticker? This is an OEM version of XP and you
need to use the same "grade" of XP install, which means an OEM version
of the CD.

XP install CDs are not interrchangable. You can not install a MS
Retail version with an OEM key and vise versa.

However, there seems to a unique issue with SP3. It does not seem to
like the pre-SP1 keys during a new XP SP3 install.

 

[Anteaus]

The CD needs to be the right type (OEM or Retail) and the right service-pack
level.

If you have not yet erased it, you may find there is an i386 folder on the
HD, which contains the setup files. If so it is possible to install by
booting from a DOS disc, and running "winnt.exe"

Of course this would not be wise if the reason for reinstalling is a virus.

 

[David B.]

Right type, yes. Same service pack level, no.