I'm just a little confused as to what "product registry key" you have or haven't got.

I'm assuming that the hard disk is from the "dead" machine and it had a what you thought was a valid key..your now trying to install this into the GX1 but the product key doesn't appear to match the windows on the hard disk.

Do you have a genuine XP disc and key ..if so I'd format the hard disk and go with a fresh install.

But try this first ...http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Regards Woody

I'm certainly confused.

I have what looks to be a legitimate windows sp1 install cd [not a copy] with a sticker & Key code

I was trying to do a fresh install when it hung on the validation screen.

I'm booting from cd, so I can get to the point of reformating the used HHD.

The dell [according to them] started life as an NT machine & the OS was a built in install.

How can I get the file on the computer? I'm already just running on RAM I think?

I suppose I might try installing the ram from the dead machine, since they are both the same flavor. Might like the key code better then.

Or what about taking the battery out of the mother board, might just forget everything..

Swapping the HDD from one machine to another upsets Windows ...it's expecting a certain configuration and when it doesn't throws a wobbly and reverts to a non-activated state.

I'd certainly take the battery out and then back in to make the motherboard "forget".

Then format and re-install....hopefully your XP cd is Authentic.

Good luck

Regards Woody

An OEM Dell installation of Windows does not use a key. If you contact Dell tech support with the Device ID number of your GX1 system they will send you (or sell you cheap) the two CDs that come with the system when it shipped. That's the OS install disk and the "Resources" disk that has your drivers.

You flash the BIOS and then insert the computer's Device ID into it. Then you wipe the hard drive and install the OS from the Dell-supplied disk which will not ask for a key.

When you subsequently install the drivers be sure to install the "system setup" first, followed by the one for the chip set. See this link:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744

"How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct Order" from the Dell support site.

That should get your machine right.

Belarc Advisor will give you the product key of most all of your installed programs.

Go to dell download all the drivers and recovery to a flash drive, boot the computer from the flash drive and install the drivers

Put an anti-virus and a anti-spyware on the flash too so when you first get on line it's not a deer in the headlights routine.

Where does the product key reside? on the CPU?

I don't think it will boot from a USB device since it won't recognize a USB keyboard or mouse.

is there any way to reformat the HDD off a ether, USB or monitor port? I have the skills & materials to make these sort of patch cords, I just need to know what wires go where. The dead computer has a good power supply. unfortunately I probably need the interface, which costs $30 I don't have.

Getting to the dos prompt would let me reset the product key so I could use the valid one that comes with the install CD

& to ann arbor rick

yes dell would be happy to take my money, to sell me a new key for $50

I can buy a used XP tower that has already been reworked for $100

Where does the product key reside? on the CPU?..Nope
It resides on the piece of paper attached to your cd case and is checked against an embedded algorithm on the CD.

I'm not convinced that your XP Disc and code is genuine / match....but to format the HDD you could make a windows 98 3.5 inch floopy boot disc..download from here .

Boot the GX1 from it and this should..if memory serves me right ...give you a command prompt then type fdisk.

Regards Woody

The XP CD looks official, holographic images & such, no jewel box though, just a paper envelope. There is a place where the MS sticker was removed & then it was attached to the custom built.

I just got some breathing room yesterday, My seagate external 250g HDD came back from warranty, so now I have a place to backup my pics & music. This time I won't install the software that comes with & just use it as external storage. I already loaded a bunch of the music back [20g or so] on it & have it working on both [gateway xp & HP vista] laptops.

I would like to use the desk top to import music from LP's & editing pics. The full key board, mouse, stereo inputs make all these tasks more pleasant. & make it easier to stay backed up a few ways [CD's, external & internal HDD]

I don't know if I'm attached to making the dell into a xp machine.

I could try a Linux conversion. The programs I like for lp-mp3, photo editing & OO all come in linux flavor... This is what I would really like to do, I just have to get the dell working enough to do it

I have some other options. I also have a totally legitimate vista home edition in the original packaging, I did a full [lose all the files] restore on the hp laptop it was purchased for & never reinstalled [we're totally happy using open office]. It probably won't install with out upgrading the ram. I was wondering if this would help me get to the point of reformating the HDD. Once I can get the dell to the dos prompt there seem to be more options for getting the dell to being a regular sp3 xp machine.

I just found a 3.5" floppy for the usb key board on the custom. Think I'll play around with the two different floppy drives & determine if either one works.

Thanks to Bwire too, we may not agree on other threads...

I have respect for your knowledge in this area.

I will post back in a couple of days.

I get an error [invalid number].
how do I proceed?
I can only get to continue install or recovery

Why not "continue install" ?

Press F2 to enter BIOS, press F12 to bring up the boot menu. Put your XP CD in the drive, select Cd Drive and follow the on-screen instructions. I'd recommend removing the partition and recreating it. At the very least, reformat the drive.

Check BIOS for allow key board mouse/keyboard. Also allow legacy USB

Ok I'll go from the beginning.

1] the HDD jumper is set to master

2] Press on button

3] B/W screen

4] secondary HDD drive not found

5] f1 to continue, f2 for set up [dell bios]

6] set bios to boot from CD...

7] Reboot

back to step 5 press f1

8] blue screen w/white lettering, Windows XP home edition set up

Enter to continue, R to go to recovery console

Continuing takes me to the validation screen....

R takes me to recovery prompt

pushing f12 make a beep go off, but has no effect...

The HDD was possibly damaged when the MB toasted?

Have you loaded theHDD installation utility?

Set the HDD jumper to slave and follow post #10

I'm trying to formulate a plan of action.

I don't have many blank CD's

So let's make a list of what I should burn & if I can combine various utilities on the same disc?

Seatool is good.

What about things like removing the battery?

Installing vista, just to get up & running. With a fully functional slow machine being able to start from the beginning with a reformatted HDD?

To woody: I don't have any other working desktop machines only laptops. An XP without a CD drive & a Vista [the reason I have a Vista CD & key] that I can burn on...

Go with something like this it contains Max Blast & Seatools amongst many other utilities.

Regards Woody

You could disconnect from power then press the on button and maybe release all capacitive power without removing the battery.

Download all the suggested remedies to one disc.

If you run the Seatool you maybe able to boot from the custom HDD or format then install XP.

If no joy replace the custom MB

Ah close,

I'm trying to use the dell MB

I should probably take the custom MB out & have a closer look, never know could be something easy... The power supply is good, the MB won't do a thing, spin a fan, light up an LED, nada.

I'm gonna use Ultimate Boot as Woody suggested

& add some other goodies like Seatools, any other suggestions?

I'll save fun with the battery for later, kind of doubt holding the button down will do much since it's an enable bit on one of the chips....

I've been on several forums & mostly been told MS is sending out a hit squad for violating their license agreement

We seem to be on different pages, the link I supplied to Seagate has the drivers for the Maxtor drive.

Ultimate boot is a Linux program, it'll wipe the disc but you still need the drivers for the Maxtor first.

You're best bet is get the item specific re-install from Dell and be done with it.

Violate their license agreement? In what way?

When I put the service tag # eymu4 into their system the newest option for operating system is NT [confirmed by chatting w/dell support]

I did say I might turn the dell into a linux machine, which is why I got the ultimate boot CD advice.

I haven't given up on a XP machine yet, there's always time for more desperate measures...

As I understand your advice so far it is to Burn a CD with the dell drivers & seatools, boot to that.

what would happen after that?

The Maxtor will not spin unless the utilities are available to tickle it's fancy. This maybe all you need if the boot sector of the Maxtor is not corrupted, I would go this route first because Linux/ubuntu or other flavor is a giant step sideways as you may discover.

I see various drivers & such come on board during the installation.

Any chance of being able to put seatools on the ex HDD & load through USB

oh wait I'll just try that...

Just to wrap it up.

I figured out there was a problem with the PSU from my wife's old computer

I jumped the enable bit & it fired up. I put the microstar MOBO based machine back together.

Still couldn't repair the XP install.

Did a Unbuntu install, working well, much less fussing about than i anticipated...

now I have 3 flavors of operating system Unbuntu, XP, vista on 3 different machines

I'm on Mr linux now, much faster than it was as an XP, we'll see if there are any apps that don't have any acceptable workarounds.

It is good to be back using a full keyboard & real mouse again bigger screen too.

Garthh,

I think that you have a conflict of editions ...your perhaps trying to install over a later edition of XP with an earlier edition CD ...the install process has detected the later edition on the hard disc and is wanting/expecting a code and XP CD that matches the edition on the hard disk.

Using your new Vista CD should solve this.

OR

You could put the hard disk in another computer ...set it as slave... format it...remove and re install in the GX1 set back as master.

Then try again with the XP Disc.

Regards Woody

And he may also solve by installing the HDD drivers to the GX1 too

I suspect Woodygb is correct. you probabaly have upgraded the machine to SP3 or 4 at some point through Windows update, and the install disk is SP1 (judging by the age of the machine.) SP2 and up are really completely different OS's for all intents and purposes.