Can't install Windows XP SP2

[Riley]

Hi

I have tried aleast 5 times to fresh install it on a newly formatted hd from different CDs and it always crashes at the same point.
After 34 minites left on the install, the screen flashes (I think it switches to DVI) and then goes blank. After about 10 more seconds the hard disk turns off. Reboot and exactly the same thing happens
I've tried using the fail-safe defaults in the BIOs but the same thing happens.

Help!

Thanks.

[Skii]

Have you tried resetting the Bios jumper?

[Jimmy Little]

does this help?

Please also be aware, if you are running XP CORP with a PID of the format XXXXX-64X-XXXXXXX-XXXXX where the 64X represents anything from 641-649 then you will encounter activation problems and will be locked out. You will only be allowed access once you change the key to one with a PID containing 640.

To find out if your key would be blacklisted, go to

Control Panel --> System

Look at the PID ( the number under the registered to section ), if you have 641-649, you should have probs!

[Wyvern]

I have several PC systems with XP CORP with PID containing 643 & 645 and i have no such problems. Are you sure your information is correct Bobby Sixkiller?.

[Zathras]

It appears that the copy protection wrt PIDs in the range 641-649 was removed in the final release build.

[Wyvern]

Hi Zarthras,

Quick response!,

I have succesfully updated Windows using the Windows Update (V5?) after updating to SP2

I run a small business using several PC's with legitimate corporation WinXP Pro licenses.

The question is this: are my WinXP Pro Corporate licenses actually legitimate?

I'll be contacting the Microsoft agent that sold me them if they are not!

[Jimmy Little]

It appears that the copy protection wrt PIDs in the range 641-649 was removed in the final release build.

you must be right as it has worked with many people, but i know this was the case with beta versions of SP2, they have ditched it for some reason..

so the question is... will it work on any hacked copy?

[Wyvern]

All i know is that my systems all have legal licenses (i run a small business), and all my PID's are in the range of 643-645.

I have heard that even though you can install SP2, you cannot use windows update.

I am able to use windows update after SP2 was installed (well, it searches for updates successfully, but obviously doesnt find any until microsoft bring out the updates to patch SP2! LOL)

I hope your information about the banned PID's are incorrect, as there must be other users out their who have also purchased the WIN XP Corp edition licenses!!!!

[Riley]

Still got the same problem.

Any more ideas?

[Grey M@a]

I'll answer this for Hex as we all know what will be said Move over to Linux

[Riley]

Move over to Linux

maybe not

I still don't know what the problem is. It just keeps doing it... might be something to do with my graphics card

[Paul Adams]

Not heard of any issue like this, it's not any copy protection as I think it would just refuse to install, not bomb out and shut down the PC.

Are there any entries in the event log to say anything weird happened during the install, after it is powered back on?

Does the PC definitely completely shut down, all fans power off, all lights turn off, or just the screen go blank and the PC appears to be doing nothing?

Do you have any power saving or screen saver enabled?

If you try it again and the screen blanks, try hitting the caps lock key to see if the light on the keyboard toggles on and off, also if the PC isn't completely shut down then try leaving it for a while - I have seen some machines (though usually Win2K servers) appear to get stuck on a SP install for about 15 minutes apparently doing nothing, then they carry on.

I take it there is plenty of disk space free on C:? (Like >700Mb.)

All chipset, sound & display drivers up to date, no odd USB devices connected?
Mouse & keyboard regular PS/2 ones?

[Stoo]

I hope your information about the banned PID's are incorrect, as there must be other users out their who have also purchased the WIN XP Corp edition licenses!!!!

It's more a general rule of thumb, some of the PID's outside that range are still valid, others aren't, as MS find more and more commonly used PID's they shut them down, sometimes taking out legitimate installations, if when you upgrade to SP2 you get a problem, you can simply call the MS support line, they'll go through it with you and issue you with some new valid keys

[Jimmy Little]

i have seen loads of programs that change your cd key abd PID information in one go! it's crazy i don't know why MS bother

[Atomic]

i have seen loads of programs that change your cd key abd PID information in one go! it's crazy i don't know why MS bother

Because the majority of people don't have the knowledge of these programs and don't pirate their software...

[Jimmy Little]

Because the majority of people don't have the knowledge of these programs and don't pirate their software...

oh ok...........