xp installer issues cd key

whatalegend123 · 2 Apr 2009 at 12:11

I have just spen the last day trying to get one of my older pcs to start working.
It previously had ubuntu installed and would not allow me to install windows ontop because the GRUB stops it for some reason.
I completely wiped the HD using DBAN
Now i tried to install XP Home SP3 onto the computer and the installed went through fine until it came to the Input your windows cd key
I tryped in the ck key that is on the side of my computer (on the little yellow lable) and it said that my key was not valid!
I recchecked twice i had input the correct cd key but to no avail.
the computer had previously been installed with Home SP2 or very unlikely SP1.But i did not have a installed cd for this so i borrowed a SP3 off a friend.

Does any1 know of any reason why my cd key would not be accepted just because the installed is sp3? is there anyway i can change/alter my key to make it accepted>?anywhere i can find an iso of sp2 to try the cd key with that?

all comment appreciated
thanks

Burnsy2023 · 2 Apr 2009 at 13:23

It's most likely not the fact that it's a different SP but more that the disc you borrowed is either locked to an OEM vendor or is retail.

whatalegend123 · 2 Apr 2009 at 14:11

the cd installer is not locked to oem
what do you mean its a retail version?what does that mean.
and how do find out if the cd key i have is a oem version

Burnsy2023 · 2 Apr 2009 at 14:14

Have a read of the licensing sticky. There are four types of licence and CD, all have their own media and product key pools (OEM, Upgrade, Retail and Volume Licence)

bledd · 2 Apr 2009 at 14:29

start,
run
eula.txt (press enter)

scroll to the bottom of the file and paste the code that appears, that's the type of disc you used to install with

Brian Stuart · 2 Apr 2009 at 19:22

It is 90% certain you have an OEM product key. You need an OEM disk to go with that or you will not be able to enter the product key. SP3 gives you the option to install without entering the product key al la Vista so that may be an option. Install with no key and enter it when asked to do so by the activation wizard.