XP install error with Ser#

[Rob Lynch]

Hi,

I downloaded XP Pro SP3 from the Technet Plus Subscriber downloads and tried
to install it (perform an upgrade from XP MEDIA Center) but was stopped with
an "INVALID SERIAL NUMBER" error message. So I retrieved a new serial
number- Same result.

Thinking that this might be an issue related to an upgrade I decided to try
from a CD Boot. At that point I received an error stating it couldn't find a
hard drive in my system (a gateway laptop - type 475M)..

any clues appreciated.


TIA

Rob

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I downloaded XP Pro SP3 from the Technet Plus Subscriber downloads
and tried to install it (perform an upgrade from XP MEDIA Center)
but was stopped with an "INVALID SERIAL NUMBER" error message. So I
retrieved a new serial number- Same result.

Thinking that this might be an issue related to an upgrade I
decided to try from a CD Boot. At that point I received an error
stating it couldn't find a hard drive in my system (a gateway
laptop - type 475M)..

Windows XP Professional is not an upgrade (AFAIK - will not upgrade) to
Windows XP Media Center Edition. Windows XP Media Center Edition is a
superset of Windows XP Professional - with some domain features removed
except at installation.

Fairly certain that the only way to "upgrade" (again - not really) Windows
XP Media Center Edition with a Windows XP Professional is to format.

Not much research brings you to:

Windows XP supported upgrade paths
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292607

Which has (near the bottom):

"Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition

Windows XP Media Center Edition

Note: Windows Setup gives an error message that the Product Key is not valid
(invalid) if you attempt an upgrade or repair the installation with
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition or with Microsoft Windows XP
Professional."