Windows XP Pro installation headache

Question

Level 1

25 points

Windows XP Pro installation headache

Hello all!

Im a newbie to Mac and making the switch with my brand new Macbook.
However, I need XP for some work related things so I have been trying to get it installed.

1. I have a original Microsoft Windows XP pro with SP1 (NOT OEM). I sliptreamed and made a XP SP2 cd. Fired boot camp and tried to install. Went smoothly (partition -> format -> copying -> installing devices). Until it asked me to enter the CD key. I entered the product key (which FYI I have never used on any machine before) and it says "The CD key you entered is not valid".
???? WHy?

2. I had a dell OEM win XP cd. I tried the same again using this cd. This doesnt ask me for the key (we know why). But get stuck at the last stage (saving settings). So no XP again.

3. I install Parallels. Maybe I will try virtualization for now before installing using boot camp.
3a. Same problem with both the above cds
3b. Now Im thinking something else is wrong. SO I get an old copy of Windows 2000 Professional. Parallels supports this OS. I know the Key is valid as I have used it before on my old (now defunct) laptop. Again "The CD key is not valid". What is going on? Shouldnt Parallels with win 2000 work atleast?

Please help. I need windows. Before 28th. Have a lot of work to do.

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on May 26, 2008 1:07 PM

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Answer 1

NA Smith

Level 2

345 points

May 26, 2008 3:29 PM in response to VJ

That is a long ways to go just to get shut down - ouch. I think that the obvious suspicion is the most likely answer: that the license was just for the Dell and that's all. Still - why don't you retry the install and see if you can activate it by telephone - that is - speak to a person and tell Microsoft you wish to move your XP license from an old machine to a new machine. You may just pull it off!

Edit: You can always purchase an OEM XP from newegg (or where-ever) for about $150.

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Answer 2

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 3:31 PM in response to NA Smith

I can understand the issue with the Dell OEM CD. But why the same problem with a brand new - never used Win XP Pro CD? Why the same issue with win 2000 pro on parallels? why?

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Answer 3

NA Smith

Level 2

345 points

May 26, 2008 3:50 PM in response to VJ

I see your point - that is most rare. I wonder if it is a keyboard (not-yet -loaded apple software) glitch where for some reason the wrong keys are entered ? (I realize this is no answer though - a puzzler for sure....).

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 26, 2008 3:53 PM in response to VJ

I've installed XP, 2000, and Vista in Parallels, VM Fusion, and Boot Camp several times on several machines. Never had any problems with the registration process. I'm guessing the problem you have must be either the registration key, the installer discs, or some other obscure Windows problem, but it isn't a problem with the Mac.

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Answer 5

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 3:56 PM in response to Kappy

I hope its a problem with either my keys or cds. I hate to go return my macbook for any issues.
Does anyone have the 800 number to call Microsoft for the issue with the invalid key? Also, can I take my mac to the genius bar with my cds to have them install it? Or is "installing windows" out of mac care?

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Answer 6

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 3:58 PM in response to NA Smith

Im going to try one more thing. Try installing Windows Vista Ultimate. I have the original CD - never used - fresh in the box with the keys. If this ends up saying "the cd key you entered is not valid" then still something wrong with my win cd? or is it mac?

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Answer 7

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Kappy

m going to try one more thing. Try installing Windows Vista Ultimate. I have the original CD - never used - fresh in the box with the keys. If this ends up saying "the cd key you entered is not valid" then still something wrong with my win cd? or is it mac?

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Answer 8

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 26, 2008 4:08 PM in response to VJ

I've recently installed Vista on my Mac Pro using Boot Camp, Parallels, and VM Fusion. Since I'm away from home for the summer I'm using my MacBook Pro on which Vista is installed using VM Fusion. No registration key problems. So, I don't think you have a Mac problem, although you may have some other software related problem. Or maybe you've simply made an easy error and entered the key incorrectly - something I've done a number of times.

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Answer 9

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 4:11 PM in response to Kappy

I agree its easy to enter the wrong key. But I have been at this for the past 3 days and have tried installing in different ways abt 10-12 times. Im worried that I "partition-format" - 'ed it too many times and my HD is going to start crying.
This is so frustrating. Will a fresh install of OS X help?

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Answer 10

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 26, 2008 4:46 PM in response to VJ

You certainly can do a fresh installation of OS X, but I would be surprised if that fixed the problem. Perhaps you'd do better looking to Microsoft support since I would think it's a Windows thing.

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Answer 11

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 8:05 PM in response to Kappy

I just re-did the installation using boot camp (win xp pro sp2 - new cd - new key). and the same thing. Even if I did enter the wrong key shouldnt the installer let me complete the process and give me a 30 day trial period? The error says 'The key you entered is not valid" Is this actually saying "wrong type of key' like in "not enough digits.." that kind of error?

I dont know whats going on.

And one mor thing. Everytime I go thru this process and get stuck at the wrong key and log back to mac OSX the airport card doesnt work. It says "No airport card installed'. At this point i have to remove the partition (using boot camp) and do a hard power reset (holding down the keys 'p' 'r' 'optio''command' 'power' at the same time until i here three chimes at start up). Then the airport card is installed back.
Im taking the machine back tomorrow morning and getting a new one. And at this point I think it IS a MAC problem. Nothing to do with windows. Feels nothing different than the problems you have when you are in windows world.

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Answer 12

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 26, 2008 8:28 PM in response to VJ

I honestly have no idea why you are having this problem. If the key is not one that came with the installer disc, then it will likely not work.

Well, certainly there is a problem related to the Airport card. That could be the result of a defective card, a card that's loose in the slot, or a defective motherboard.

You can have problems with any computer, but Windows is just an operating system, not computer hardware. If you want to compare Windows to something you need to compare it to another operating system not the computer it's running on.

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Answer 13

NA Smith

Level 2

345 points

May 26, 2008 8:33 PM in response to VJ

Check it out:

MacOFFX: "The CD Key That You Entered Is Not Valid" Error Message When You Try to Install Office v. X for Mac
View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 332010
Last Review : January 9, 2006
Revision : 2.1
This article was previously published under Q332010
SYMPTOMS
When you try to install Office v. X for Mac and you type the Office CD Key, you may receive the following error message:
Please enter your CD Key again.

The CD Key that you entered is not valid. Make sure you entered the CD Key Correctly.

Back to the top
CAUSE
This issue may occur if you type an "8" for a "B" or vice versa when you type the CD Key. The CD Key, which is also known as a Product Key, is printed by using a machine-readable font. In this font, the characters "8" and "B" look similar.

Back to the top
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, retype the CD Key, making sure that all 8s and Bs are correct.

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Answer 14

VJ Author

Level 1

25 points

May 26, 2008 8:35 PM in response to Kappy

Sorry for my frustration. I was so excited to get a mac and told my roomie (who is a extreme Windows junkie) how in a mac "everything just works". and it doesnt now. I wasn't comparing to windows as such. I know that every OS has issues. But this CD key issue, with so many multiple OSs - both in boot camp and parallels is just frustrating.

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Answer 15

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

May 26, 2008 9:07 PM in response to VJ

I know. But keep in mind that the Mac does work. It's Windows that doesn't work.

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