Trying to install windows

[FroGGer]

I've been gone for a while. Hi all.

I'm installing windows on a newly built machine. I began to install (format and everything) when I got to the screen to enter the key for windows, I realized newegg sent me an oem disc without a keygen. I called and am going to RMA it, but in the mean time I was in a hurry and went to the store and bought a copy of xp home for $10 more (which is what I should have done in the first place). Anyways, when I tried to type in the code from the newly purchased windows xp home, I get a message that the code is invalid??? I don't understand why. Now when I try to boot to cd to completely restart the installation with the new disk, I can't. It keeps booting into windows installation. How do I boot from cd while in the middle of windows installation so my key can work?
thanks

[Darthtanion]

Re: Trying to install windows

When you boot from the CD, Windows will start copying files from teh disk to a temporary cache on the drive or in RAM, depending on your system. One of the first screens you should see allows you to repair the installation or copy it fresh. Make sure to choose this second option and install it over your existing bad install. The installation screen will likely come up stating there is already a Windows installed on this partition, but you should choose the option that allows you to install it fresh anyway. Make sure to format the drive before the installation to make sure that no residual files from the bum install are still resident.

[casecutter]

Re: Trying to install windows

OEM key won't work on a retail version and vice-versa. You need to do the install from the retail disk.

[PrairieDawg]

Re: Trying to install windows

I think I understand the problem. FroGGer has stated that he is attempting to start over but the half installed windows installation is attempting to start itself.

FroGGEr check the boot order in bios and be sure that CD rom is first in the boot order. If that doesn't work you may need to reformat the drive with a different boot disk such as a Windows 98 boot disk and fdisk the hard drive to start fresh. This page may be of some assistance: http://www.bootdisk.com/