installing XP Pro

The XP firewall is off. I think I'll have to fix some things I've seen in the event viewer.

Have you had 1GB modules working or ECC? 1GBs weren't tested when the MB came out.

What events have you got in the event viewer Fraser?

I've not started with that yet. There was quite a lot of corruption on my drives that I'm fixing.

And this is quicker than a clean install?

The Microsoft XP driver for Promise Ultra 100 didn't work. I think someone said this once before. It does work with W2000. I will get the Maxtor XP driver installed using an old drive to get it started.

I think I said that... but yes you are right, you need the 2k/xp maxtor driver... let me know if you need it.

I'm working with my computer now. How can I get my legal product key installed? I have used one that is blocked.

Why did you use a blocked one? Which OS are you talking about? If XP Repair install or runn oobe.exe choose telephone and change product key.

I had to use a different installation disk. I think the product keys only work with the disk they come with.

I don't have a program called oobe.exe.

It launches the activation - my bad, it's msoobe.exe - it's been a while since I did that. If you haven't activated you just need to launch activation and select telephone activation to be able to change the key. If you have activated you need to change the registry or do a repair install.

Edit, it is quite easy to create the appropriate type of disk - and quite legal if you have a genuine COA. read here

I can't get an installation ID from my product key. Is this because I used a different installation CD? There are quite a few different ones. I've tried a few other methods that haven't worked.

Have you actually got a real licence for XP? If so, what type is it?

Its an OEM for DELL computers with SP2. It doesn't matter if my computer isn't a DELL. I'm planning to backup and then do a repair installation from this disk.

Err no, you haven't got a licence to upgrade the 2k machine since the 2k machine is not a Dell. OEM licences are only good for the machine that they were supplied with.
Have you bought an upgrade licence for the 2k machine?