Windows XP Pro SP2 CD with XP Pro SP3 Serial? Possible?
I am currently fixing a computer and I'm using a (legal) Windows XP Pro SP3 disc with a SP3 serial number that comes with it. But when I boot up to install it from the CD, it gives me a boot error (yes, the HDD is whipped clean). The XP Pro SP3 disc does work on a different computer.
I used my older Windows XP Pro SP2 disc and it does recognize that disc to install XP, but I am not sure if I can use that disc to install it and use my SP3 serial code? Is that possible?
I haven't tired it, not knowing if it is possible. I do not have a Windows XP Pro SP1 or the original disc.
Update:Like I've said, I did use a older XP Pro SP2 disc and that DID work. The computer WILL install using that disc, but I do not have an available XP Pro SP2 serial. I only have a XP Pro SP3 serial right now.
I don't have a MSDN account, but I do have a IEEE account. Although, I already used up the XP Pro SP2 codes I have under my IEEE account.
Comments
Each and every disk has a unique key
Normally, the XP Pro SP2 CD should work with the XP Pro SP3 key (unless one of those versions is a special corporate edition - then they have different keysets).
There was however a XP SP2c version of Windows, as they ran out of valid keys at some point.
If the key works with the SP2 CD, you can make an ISO of that CD, and use a downloaded SP3 file (about 300 MB) to integrate the SP3 into that CD.
That way you need less time for future installs.
If you have a working XP serial it will work with any copy of XP (SP1, 2, 3, a million, etc). Also, it wont care what CD it's from. You could copy it to a (bootable) USB stick and it would still work.
Either your CD has an error on it or there's something funny going on with your bootsector or BIOS. My guess would be the latter because that Windows installer program is crap, and often doesn't recognise things or runs really slowly for no reason. Install linux and I bet it'll work straight away. I had a similar problem a while back.
if neither disk is working in your drive, but are working in another drive, then you need to assume that your drive is toast.
Also, each disk does NOT have a unique key. The SP2 and SP3 disks are different, and may require different keys for each disk, but ALL SP2 disks are exactly the same, as are the SP3 disks. Microsoft does not allow the use of a single key on multiple machines, but you can copy the disk as much as you want. It is not copy protected.
Presumably these are either from MSDN or a corporate Select subscription? Likely the license key you use for your corporate systems should work with both discs.
You would need the exact copy to match your serial number. For a legal registered copy of it contact Microsoft.
no it wont work. sorry. the codes are programmed to work with individual discs. but u can still try it. it wont take more than ten min for XP
gl hf
their service packs for xp, you need to install windows xp first then the service packs after