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Windows XP not letting me install 3

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Xenocidal

Technical User
Jul 5, 2005
16
US
I have Windows XP Professional, the actual disc, purchased and etc, so I want to put it into my new PC, I put it in and have it start up, etc, it boots from disc, loads everything in the windows setup, I put the Nvidia SATA drivers onto it as well (has no effect, tried with and without), and then it asks me to insert the disc because:

"Setup cannot find a previous version of Windows installed on your computer. To continue, Windows needs to verify that you qualify to use the upgrade product.

Please insert one of the following Window's Product CDs into the CD-ROM drive: Windows XP Home (full version), Windows XP Professional (full version, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Millenium, Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 3.51.

When the CD is in the drive, press Enter.
To exit Setup, press F3."

I think I purchased the full version, but not completely sure? Also, I'm using a DVD-R/RW CDR-RW drive, would that have any effect on it? I've no idea why I can't install it... hopefully you all know what's wrong.

Thanks for any help you can provide.
 
I forgot to mention, when it scans over the disc it says at the bottom "Loading information file dosnet.sys (I think it's dosnet.sys, not completely sure), and then goes back to the screen asking me to insert it.
 
The CD will tell you on its label whether it is a full or upgrade version, retail or OEM.

Should you purchase an OEM license version of XP?
faq779-4004

DVD or CD drive will not be causing this problem. Maybe you have an old 9x CD from previous computers?

It would help to know what type of operating system is installed on your machine, including whether it is a retail version or a pre-installed OEM version.

 
"Setup cannot find a previous version of Windows installed on your computer. To continue, Windows needs to verify that you qualify to use the upgrade product.

The error message indicates you inadvertently purchased the Windows XP Pro upgrade version without knowing it. You'll need to return it for a refund (unlikely that will happen), or pop in a CD from a previous version as suggested by the error message.
 
Okay, you're right, I did get the Pro upgrade version, and I got it a long while back, didn't even see it was upgrade version. So, since I can't return it, is there any way to install it from a different computer? I have WinXP Pro on this PC, can I install it from here, if the PCs are connected? Or is that not possible?
 
Oh, also, I have no OS on that computer currently...
 
Do you have a FULL version of the following CD's:

Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Millenium, Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 3.51

or can you get a hold of one of them from a buddy?

when it ask you the question

"Setup cannot find a previous version of Windows installed on your computer. To continue, Windows needs to verify that you qualify to use the upgrade product.

Please insert one of the following Window's Product CDs into the CD-ROM drive: Windows XP Home (full version), Windows XP Professional (full version, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows Millenium, Windows 98, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 3.51.

When the CD is in the drive, press Enter.
To exit Setup, press F3."


pop it in and press F3... it should take it from there...

Ben

If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...
 
Sadly, no, to both questions. I actually asked a lot of friends I have and most don't build their own computers up, and the couple that did were afraid I'd steal their keycode. =/ I've thought about installing Linux, but not sure how compatible it is and such with games and etc...
 
Getting a hold of the CD only, you will not be able to discern their Liscence Key...

but I can then only tell you to purchase a full version of XP HOME (ie. from MS $199 and from WalMart $198) (Pro version is more expensive)...

OEM versions are cheaper ($99 from MS and $119 from WalMart), but as Linney pointed out, by sending you to the FAQ779-4004 page, there is a drawback...

to purchase from MS:
there are links to WalMart, BestBuy etc. where you can make price comparisons...

good luck...


Ben

If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer...
 
Okee, thanks. I bought an OEM off of NewEgg, thanks again for everyone's help. It's good to know that there are still places on the 'net where people can go and actually get questions answered without sarcasm or rudeness.

Again, thanks.
 
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