Best Way to Get XP replacement?

I

ivan_gromov

Gawd
Joined
Oct 6, 2006
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Hello,
first let me mention that I own Win XP Pro, purchased it right as it was released. Few months back, my dsk cracked and I can't get my computer to read it, at all. Well, I really do not feel like calling India to find out how to get a replacement, so I downloaded a torrent hoping that I could jsut use my key with it, WRONG :mad: . The whole fuckin torrent had a crack with it, preinstalled and only the key they have providere would work. Once I started my new IT job, I took one of the XP disks with SP2, mine was SP1 and attempted to install it while using my key, that did not work. I believe that the disks I got from work came with Sony PC's and thus are not original. Would anybody have any ideas on how I could install Win XP using the key that I have purchased? Is there a known ISO of the legal store version floating around the net?
 
Ask your friends if they have an XP disk laying around....you license the key, not the installation disk. You will have to find one that matches your key...XP original, XP w/sp1 or XP w/sp2...whatever your key is for...it will install like a charm and legally. :cool:
 
THat's the problem, I do not have many friends that are into PC's like I am for one. What I need is XP Po w/SP1 I believe.

I will get yahoo messaner I guess, when I come home from work, installing a switch at work atm.
 
MajorDomo said:
Ask your friends if they have an XP disk laying around....you license the key, not the installation disk. You will have to find one that matches your key...XP original, XP w/sp1 or XP w/sp2...whatever your key is for...it will install like a charm and legally. :cool:
Click to expand...

Actually all you need to match is retail, OEM or corporate disk to key. The SP doesn't matter. I've installed using an XP SP2 OEM disk with a key that originally came with XP SP0.
 
jimnms is almost correct. A disk with an earlier (or no) service pack integrated would work fine with the product key, as long as it 'matches' for license type. But if you used that earlier disk 'as is' to repair a sevice pack 2 installation the end result would likely be a fuck-up.

So you need to get hold of a matching license installation disk and, if it's an earlier service pack integration, use it to create yourself a slipstreamed installation disk with SP2 integrated.
 
The OP said he's trying to install, not repair. I have an original (no SP) disk, two SP1 disks and an SP2 disk. My notebook came with restore disks full of crapware, but it is an OEM key. I used the newest SP2 disk I have to install XP on it and it worked just fine.
 
Just expanding on your answer and making it a better one, jimnms. What people "say" doesn't always pay heed to definitional technicalities, so the more information the better for covering all options ;)

ivan_gromov, you already HAVE install media, but it doesn't 'match' for license type. If you care to roll the sleeves up a bit you can use that as a basis for creating yourself a matching license type install disk too. I posted instructions a while back, in another thread. Here they are again:

  • You need to ensure that you are using, as appropriate, an XP Home Edition CD or an XP Professional CD. You can't turn XP Home into XP Pro or vice versa. The disk contents are different.
  • What needs to be edited is an entry in the setupp.ini file which can be found in the \i386 folder on the Windows XP CD.
  • The best way to do the job is to use your CD/DVD burning software to create an ISO image of the CD, and save that to your hard drive. Then use a program such as ISOBuster or the like to access the relevent file and replace it with an appropriately edited copy.
  • The entry in the setupp.ini file which needs to be altered is the line "Pid=xxxxxxxx"
  • The altered ISO should then be burnt to CD, preferably using the appropriate CD label.

You'll find lots of info about the different XP install CD labels and their associated Pid values here.
Click to expand...

Technically, that is 'hacking' the install media, and I'm sure we'll have waves of 'rules nazis' jumping up and down trying to say I'm encouraging you toward piracy. But you've a valid license and you're simply trying to use it. I can assure you that, even if Microsoft heard about you doing this to get your valid license installed and working, they wouldn't be bothered to send lawyers to knock on your door ;)
 
Another option is to install using the key that went with the cds you have then use microsofts keyupdate tool to change it to your cd key. Using the keyupdate tool you can replace the key of any xp pro with a legit key from an oem or retail version.
 
Thanks everybody. I will try changing the PID value. What ISO Program could I use? THe free Power ISO only lets you make an image up to 300mb, is there anythihg free and good? I do not really want to pirate :cool:
 
if u want I can mail you my copy of Win XP Pro disc.... i doubt thats illegal.... the disc is SP01 i believe... gotta find it first. It came with my ABS system, but it installs on ANY mobo and such. Cover the postage and its all yours!
 
just install using the crack key you ahve then use the windows CD key changer program from microsoft, just amke sure they are both home or both professional etc
 
SippieCup said:
just install using the crack key you ahve then use the windows CD key changer program from microsoft, just amke sure they are both home or both professional etc
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How would I access that key changer program? The version is conpletely cracked, It doesn't even have the whole activation tingy.
 
The disc you downloaded is probably what's known as a "Corp" disc. It's for systems with VLK licenses and does not require activation. The key you got with the disc is either stolen or genereated to work with a VLK install disc. You're key will not work with that disc because of the files used for authenticating the key you used and PID generation aren't the same as the ones on a Retail or OEM disc.

If you have an OEM copy of XP (key sticker stuck on the PC somewhere) then you need an OEM disc. It'll say something to the effect of only being bundled with a new PC on the actual disc somwhere.

If you have a Retail copy of XP (came in a box from the store and the key is on an orange sticker on the CD sleeve) you need to have a retail disc.

You might be able to get a hold of MS and order a new disc. It probably cost about $10 or so to cover media and shipping charges. Or you could edit the setupp.ini file to match your license as Catweazle suggested.
 
ryan_975 said:
The disc you downloaded is probably what's known as a "Corp" disc. It's for systems with VLK licenses and does not require activation. The key you got with the disc is either stolen or genereated to work with a VLK install disc. You're key will not work with that disc because of the files used for authenticating the key you used and PID generation aren't the same as the ones on a Retail or OEM disc.

If you have an OEM copy of XP (key sticker stuck on the PC somewhere) then you need an OEM disc. It'll say something to the effect of only being bundled with a new PC on the actual disc somwhere.

If you have a Retail copy of XP (came in a box from the store and the key is on an orange sticker on the CD sleeve) you need to have a retail disc.

You might be able to get a hold of MS and order a new disc. It probably cost about $10 or so to cover media and shipping charges. Or you could edit the setupp.ini file to match your license as Catweazle suggested.
Click to expand...
The version I bought is Retail, version I got from work is OEM. I guess it is time to call India and get me a replacement.
 
catweazle hit the nail on the head. you need to change the pid in setupp.ini.

also, get the program nlite. fantastic tool. will let you slipstream sp2 if your source disc doesn't already have it. also look into ryanvm. he releases update packs that you can also apply to the disc so that after you install, you won't have to download a hundred megs worth of updates.

nlite also allows you to put your key right in, and make your setup as unattended as you'd like, and also customize windows settings.

disabling sfc results in faster installs and generally faster windows in my opinion. i assume you won't be deleting notepad unless you really didn't need it ;)

edit: nlite can generate bootable iso's for you, and also has a burning app built in. again, fantastic program.
 
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