Re-installing Windows 2000 on refurbished computer

[MichaelG653]

Hello all... I am trying to install Windows 2000 on a refurbished computer I obtained for a friend. He had a Windows 2000 disk, but lost the product key and the computer has a COA on it for Windows 2000 so I thought I could just use that code with his disk and get the computer up and running...... wronggggggggggg... when I enter the Code during installation I get an Invalid Id message and can't go any further. The computer is a Dell Optiplex GL100 (yes I know it is old and slow, but it had the COA). Does the computer require a Dell CD or will any CD work and I am just not going about it right? I have tried contacting Dell about seeing if I could get one of their CD's, but just get the run around from them. Does anyone know if the COA is specific to one version of Win2K?

[shadowpr]

Sounds similar to this: Cannot activate XP Home on Dell PC

[MichaelG653]

Similiar problem ........ different version of Windows....... will keep trying to get a copy from Dell of the Windows 2000 since that is what my friend really wants...... the computer will be pushing it to go to XP since it only has a 700mhz Celeron cpu. Doeable I know, but a bit of a strain.

[glc]

You can use *any* Dell reinstall CD, and it will install without a key. If you can find someone who has a Win2000 CD of any type along with a key, you can use that. There's no activation with 2K so it's legal.