Laptop OS problem

[Doombard]

So, I got ahold of a laptop from my work and its got Windows 2000 NT as its OS. On the laptop it says that it is designed for windows XP and has a windows XP Professional serial key on it. There are no discs with it, but I have a torrent of windows XP Ultimate. Should I get a torrent of Windows XP Pro, or will the serial number work with the ultimate edition?

[Resin]

So, I got ahold of a laptop from my work and its got Windows 2000 NT as its OS. On the laptop it says that it is designed for windows XP and has a windows XP Professional serial key on it. There are no discs with it, but I have a torrent of windows XP Ultimate. Should I get a torrent of Windows XP Pro, or will the serial number work with the ultimate edition?

Hmm. There's no "Ultimate" version of XP Pro that I know of, but what you want to look for is the OEM version of the operating system. That key will work with only the OEM version. Any other version (the retail one, or a volume license version) won't work with that key.

[Isiolia]

It may also be manufacturer specific. You may also be able to install it with a different version (IE, installer will take the serial#), but it won't activate. I've had that happen before with a generic OEM install disc and I think an HP computer.
Unless you have an OEM disc from the manufacturer, don't count on using the serial number on that sticker.

[Resin]

Damn, that's interesting. I've been using one manufacturer's OEM copy with another's sticker for years. If it doesn't activate, just call the number and give them the old, "My hard drive died and I had to reload the OS. I used the key on the bottom of my laptop." It's always worked for me. ^_^

[Doombard]

kk, so I got the xp pro OEM but when I try to install it, it says that it cannot execute the file because it cannot find the path. wtf am I doin wrong.

[Isiolia]

Hmm, you can see the hard drive without loading extra drivers I assume?

Most transfer problems during install I've seen could be traced to bad RAM, but hard to say.

[Resin]

If you're booting from the CD (as you should be), then it could also be a problem with the disc itself. If you're doing an upgrade...don't do an upgrade. Clean install onry.