XP SP1 Key not valid for SP2?

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:09

I'm trying to install Windows XP Pro on my laptop but have real problems.

What I have is two discs, one of the original retail SP1 XP Disc and one of an OEM SP2 XP Disc. What I want to do is install XP SP2 using the OEM disc but use my retail SP1 key.

However, it won't let me do it, it says the "product ID is not valid". These are all legit copies and I have tried re-enterting over and over.

Is it just not possible to do this?

Burnsy2023 · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:13

OEM and retail keys are not interchangable. That's your problem, not the version.

Burnsy

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:14

So I can't use a Retail Key on an OEM Disc basicaly?

Burnsy2023 · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:16

That's correct and vice versa.

Burnsy

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:19

So my only route is slipstreaming?

swinnie · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:21

Or install and then install SP2 ontop off the install by downloading it from Microsoft Update.

There is an option on the SP2 Download page for that.

kitfit1 · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:21

What you can do though is make a slipstreamed install cd using nLight, problem solved.

Edit, looks like you've realised that.

Tute · 15 Nov 2007 at 19:53

Yeah, just download SP1 and then go online and download SP2. It shouldn't take any length of time on a reasonable connection.

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:02

Any free software that can create a bootable cd/dvd for the last steps of the slipstream?

bledd · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:03

install this http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
copy your xpdisc (the one that's tied to the key you have) to c\XPCD (make that folder)
use nlite to slipstream this http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en into the disc, then use nlite to remake the iso/build the cd

all 100% free

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:05

I've done all the manual stuff just need something that lets you burn it all now.

bledd · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:07

nlite can do that if you've got the folder for it

just point nlite at your xpcd folder and it'll step you through it

this_is_gav · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:09

Or use ImgBurn if you want/need to use an external ISO burning program.

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:32

nlite didnt work, says the cd is not bootable.

ImgBurn, just burns an image and not all the files.

MarcLister · 15 Nov 2007 at 20:47

What CD is unbootable? The one you made?

Can you say exactly what you did? You might be doing something wrong. Are you burning the ISO file that nLite makes? That's what you use ImgBurn for.

JamesU2005 · 15 Nov 2007 at 21:33

Finaly did it then got a BlueScreen and unmountable_boot_volume

Not sure what to do now.

bledd · 16 Nov 2007 at 11:36

start from the top again, use nlite to do everything

the user base is huge for it, if you're getting problems burning with it, then just use it to make the iso, then use imgburn to burn the iso

JamesU2005 · 16 Nov 2007 at 13:36

Problem solved.

Got some new CDs, started a fresh and burnt at the lowest speed.