trvlr, Wil they replaced it even if I shredded it? I have the book with my license number but I trashed the CD since it was cracked and of no use. Thanks, Veets

0

The type of license you hold was tied to the hardware you purchased. Many vendors stretched MSoft's rule regarding the sale of that type of license. The EULA accompanying those OEM/DSP licenses state it is intended to be used only on the hardware it was purchased for. That said, MSoft has not enforced that portion of their EULA and has allowed users to migrate the OS to new hardware platforms. Because of that and the fact that MSoft wants WinXP to go away and it won't, they may or may not help you out. If you know anyone that has the same type of license then I would get a copy from them. In the future I suggest you do as I do. When I get new software on disk I make a copy and use the copy to install it. That way I know the copy is good. I put the original away for safekeeping and use the copy to re-install, should it become necessary. If you decide to purchase a copy I suggest you get the same type of license as you have. That way you can make a copy to use with the old license and will be able to use both licenses. If you need help finding that type of license look on pricewatch.com.

0

If you have relevant document(s) M$ will more than likely oblige... It doesn't hurt to make a fone-call to find out? The advice to make copy of an OS disk and use that whenever the OS disk is required makes sense, But remember to keep the original somewhere safe (and remember where...!). Also useful to stick a label on the copy with all relevant CD keys etc...; and similarly the original disk too? That way if you lose the book or other paperwork that has that info... it's on the disk(s) anyway?

0

As trvlr has suggested it won't hurt to try. The worst that can happen is they say no. I do mark the key and the name and version of the software on the disk too.

0

Hi, I posted a new thread with the subject line, Disk error occurred installing XP Pro. I tought I'd share with you what happened as a follow up. I recently purchased a new hard drive as the former one crashed. I had my original XP Pro CD and installed fine but the service pack I had was 1. I downloaded all the service packs but the 500 gig hd still showed at 127 in "My Computer" In the interim, my original XP Pro CD had a crack on it and therefore was useless, so I shredded it in the shredder. A friend loaned me his XP Pro SP2 CD. Now when XP SP2 copies the files and then the system reboots to set up XP, I get an error message that reads: A Disk error occurred Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart Can someone explain to me what is happening? Thanks.

0

When using the sp2 CD what are you attempting to do? A fresh install - as in reformat etc; or a repair install - as in overwrite the current version (1.1 with "updates"? - or what...? Also was your original (1.1 sp) disk an oem or standard/retail; and likewise is the borrowed sp2 version the same type as your 1.1sp version?

0

YOu either need to supply the SATA controller drivers when prompted at the start of the WinXP installation or conversely set the BIOS so your SATA drive will run in an IDE compatibility mode. WinXP prior to SP3 doesn't have those drivers. If the WinXP version you are using isn't compatible with your install key it will most likely be rejected. As I stated above you need an OEM/DSP version of the same flavor XP as you had. DSP means unbranded OEM which could only be sold with hardware. As I stated above I don't know if the service pack included would matter but I wouldn't think so. You will find out soon enough. I suggest you access another WinXP computer with a burner and sliptream the SATA drivers into your borrowed CD files using nLite. It is easy to do. You could also slipstream SP3 at the same time. I have read that SP3 has the SATA drivers incluced but I can't verify that for sure. Get nLite at the link below. http://www.softpedia.com/progDownlo...

0

Hi, The motherboard is pre SATA drives. The system was built for me about 5 years ago. The OEM SP1 disk I had was OEM. I took my friend's SP2 XP Pro CD and did a complete deletion of the partition and then attempted to do a full install. So, when the next step for XP to initialize the installation after it reboots after copying the files. I get the disk read error message. A Disk error occurred Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart If I delete the partition, will SP2 be rejected if it's not the same OEM type I previously had? I'm running this as a test. If the SP2 works, I plan on buying a copy from New Egg. Thanks, Veets

0

As I explained above there are many types of OEM CDs. The big builders all have their branded versions. Smaller builders got unbranded OEM. Those are called DSP/oem. If what you had didn't have a brand name on it like Dell, HP, etc. and the one you borrowed doesn't have a brand name on it but does say on the label to be disributed with a new PC or something to that effect then they are the same. I got to thinking about the service pack thing and realized that when we slipstream a service pack into the original CD files the key still works, so the Service Pack doesn't matter. One other thing to note again. It does matter if it is home or pro though. You need the same flavor. Is this clear to you now?

0

Just to clarify what is a little unclear just now (at least for me..) You are now using another OEM CD (sp2) to install to a (and by the sound of it totally new) blank drive; one where any pre-existing partitions were deleted prior to, or, during setup? You friend's version of OEM CD may be fixed/coded to work with his particular brand of kit; which I understand is somehow related to the bios of sed kit... From my own experience with OEM CDs from Newegg.com. they go in without any problems at all... At least thus far with one on an Acer laptop and another on a Dell rather elderly (but well within specs) Dimension mini-tower...

0

OtheHill, Thanks so much! Yep, I get it now. The SP2 CD is the Pro edition which is what I had. I will be working on the system today so I will post a follow up with how I made out. Thanks to all of you for your assistance and support!

0

If it installs using your key then you are good to go. Only costs you 1 blank CDR. I suggest you make the copy FIRST and use it to install. That way you know it is good. Better to find out now then down the road and be in the same predicament again. If your key is accepted then burn a second copy of the CD. Write the key right on the top of the CD using a sharpie fine point.

0

Suggest a stick on label is better than a direct write to disk (lablel-side) surface...; even a wee dymo-lable? The latter are really cheap these days...?

0

If using a label I suggest using the correct type. When the drive spins up to full speed a square label off to one side can really throw the balance off. Possible to destroy a disk. I have been using sharpies for years and have never had a problem. I read where CDR music disks with labels were gumming up car players due to the heat inside the compartment in the summer. Labels are not recommended by the car player manufacturers.

0

mmm Generally it "duzn't get as 'ot" in the UK as some parts; but the car heat issue is a good point nonetheless... Chums in SW States advise against leaving disks in a vehicle though when it's 'ot...; and have seen more than a few tapes cassettes (remember those) that seriously remodeled themselves..., and also a few CDs that have failed to play, after being in high in-car temps. I tend to use dymo-labeling and put two strips - approx same length - one of either side of centre hole, and both as close to centre as poss. Idea being to retain balance of disk at spin speeds and so on... Or similarly with "paper" label strips... "sharpies/ sharpie fine point" = ??? Is it a make of pen or what?

0

Sharpie is a brand name of permanent marker. Kind of a felt tip pen. The one I am talking about writes like a ball point pen. Very fine and doesn't get wider with use. I use labels for marking of disks too. Just don't bother all the time. I use CD Stomper labels and application tool. Print them on an Inkjet printer. That is why I use the Sharpie now. My main printer is a color laser. You shouldn't run CD Stomper labels thru a laser printer. They can ruin the drum. Felt tip pens are preferable because they don't need much pressure to write. Therefore won't dent the surface of the disk. The worry is the long term shelf life of the burned or for that matter, unburned media.

0

OtH - takk re' wot is a sharpie? Also re' Stomper labels etc...; which I haven't seen etc. here in UK. Next trip to USA will have a look-see - and also for a "sharpie"... There was an issue raised sometime back over the effect of ink(s) directly applied on the label side leeching thru' into the data side? Not entirely sure it was real issue or not. But the longevity of data on opticals is still a bit of an an unknown; which why I think a lot of critical stuff is still on tape (as well as optical in some places)? And many do advise to regularly check optical backups, and to renew at regular periods (new disks).

0

trvlr I agree that the long term shelf life is not known. That said, there are chemicals in the sticky backer of labels too. I would guess that if you really wnated to hedge your bets you would buy Lightscribe disks. If you can burn to them there has to be an extra barrier between the front and back sides. Personally I am too old to worry about it. Besides the technology will change and finding a working CD/DVD reader may prove difficult. As we move though the technology landscape we adapt. I have converted data from floppies to optical disk. Disks are so cheap that I usually burn more than one copy, if the data is important. As far as tape is concerned it is a magnetic media and I believe storing it nested next to one another can damage the integrity of the data. I have hundreds of floppies with data on them some go back to the advent of the first HD 3.5 floppy. Many are no longer readable. They have been stored in a wood desk drawer designed to hold them standing up. They are sandwiched tight together. I also have reel to reel tape that was recorded back in the mid 60s that isn't very good anymore. I have the same Sony decks the tapes were originally recorded on. So, I am not a believer in magnetic media like reel tapes and floppy disks. Optical disks will probably last for as long as the need for them exists. The first link below shows the CD Stomper label sheets. When buying the kit you get a gizmo that you can peel off the printed label, set it gummy side up and then set the disk face down on top of it. At that point the label and disk are separated because the spindle has two diameters. The label goes on the larger diameter and the disk on the smaller. The spindle is spring loaded. You depress the disk and it makes contact with the label in perfect alignment every time. Glad this came up. I just learned that Avery owns the CD Stomper brand. They are a big name in lables here. They make laser compatible CD Stomper sheets. I can start printing labels again. The third link below is to their site and show the gizmo I described. There are other similar systems. The second link is to an office supply. scroll down to the listing for the Sharpie ultra fine point pens. http://www.scribd.com/doc/2171952/F... http://www.buyonlinenow.com/sharpie... http://www.cdstomper.com/cds/Main?a...

0

OtH: mmm... the mag-tape issue is an olde one; and in the broadcast industry we have tended to both to spool those back/forth regularly to avoid the problem of tape layer sticking to one another; and also tapes are (usually) stored tail out, as this reduces - if not totally avoids - print through effects.... While most of the major outfits are now moving to server-based storage - aka SAN (at least for tv) we still also backup to tape for archival purposes... I think the only sure way to know one has a reliable backup etc. is to regularly check it/them and renew at regular intervals... fwi... I started worked within the broadcast biz with the original two-inch vtr tape (Ampex and later RCA) systems - and things have moved on a-pace since those days of yore... At the time in the UK pics were b/w and you could count the lines...; and see they were in focus too... Meanwhile... many thanks for the info/links as posted; will investigate...

0