Installing XP Home

[gillms1]

Hi,

I remember seeing a similar thread to this, but i cant seem to find it. I purchased Win XP Home with SP2 OEM and then tried to install it, but it wouldnt work. Wouldnt copy across the driver.cab file, I noticed there was a scratch on the CD, sent it back to the shop I got it from and they claimed that there was nothing wrong with the disk, I have tried it on a couple of other PC's and with some other CD-Roms, but to no avail. I tried copying the CD to my HD, but it again stopped at the driver.cab file, so I am certain it is something wrong with the CD. I downloaded a copy of Win XP Home and tried installing it and it installed with no problems. Obviously I dont want to be running an illegal unactivated version of Windows, so is it ok if I then activate this using the unused key I have with my faulty CD?

Or would it be best to ring microsoft and try and see if they can send me a replacement CD?

Thanks,

Sunny

[ktkendall]

Q1. - "Windows, so is it ok if I then activate this using the unused key I have with my faulty CD?"

A1. - You don't activate XP with a key from the CD, You need the key to install, and you sound like you already have installed XP successfully, you just need to activate online or call the number. If it is unsuccessful activating online then you'll need to call the number and then you may need something from the CD to verify to them so that they will give you an activation key over the phone.


Q2. - "Or would it be best to ring microsoft and try and see if they can send me a replacement CD?" -- Yes to this also, but most likely you need to return the cd for replacement to wherever you bought it, and since it is OEM I do believe you have to, in fact now that you supposedly have proved the CD to be faulty take it back to the shop where you got it, they should give you no hassle whatsoever about replacing the CD...

BTW -- I didn't know windows was available for download!!!

[gillms1]

Only problem with sending back to the "shop" was that I got it from on online shop here in the UK, so have to get a RMA number - which I dont think they will give me, as I got one first time around and they insist nothing is wrong with the CD. I might try giving them a call and ask them how they actually tested the CD.

So basically if I install a copy of XP using someone elses Disk (which is also XP Home OEM), I should be able to activate the product?

I know this sounds a bit dodgy, but it is isn't, I just want to be able to use the XP home legally as I have paid for it and looking for the quickest way possible to begin using it.

Thanks,

[glc]

So basically if I install a copy of XP using someone elses Disk (which is also XP Home OEM), I should be able to activate the product?

YES, as long as you use YOUR cd key to install it, not someone else's - and doing it exactly this way is legal.

Or would it be best to ring microsoft and try and see if they can send me a replacement CD?

YES, this would be the best way to handle it for long term if the vendor refuses to replace it.