> Hi Russ,
> IIRC, the MSDN versions of the software you are installing are *not* retail
> or OEM versions, but something in-between. You need to get onto the MSDN
> site, and download your CD Keys from there. These keys are specific for the
> MSDN versions of the software.
> As another route, use the original install CDs that you got with your
> license agreement, and then the Volume CD key will work.
> Hope this helps,
> Jerry
>
> "RussKaiser" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
> news:(email address - cut out)...
> >I recently intstalled Virtual PC 2004 and had no trouble creating a virtual
> > DOS machine and a virtual instance of Win98 2nd Edition. I have not been
> > able to install a virtual instance of XP Professional or Server 2003.
> > When I
> > enter the Product key I get the message "The CD key you entered in not
> > valid". Here are the particulars of my attempts: The host machine is my
> > laptop running XP Pro SP1. The install media for the virtual OSes are the
> > original MSDN subscription DVD's and I am using valid volume license keys
> > issued to my company. I have no trouble initiating the install, the first
> > hint of a problem is noted when the key is required. The version of VPC
> > that
> > I have installed is 2004 build 582.
> >
> > Before I posted this question, I noticed a similar thread with no
> > resolution. The only suggestions given were that the media and license
> > did
> > not match. I can assure everyone that I have used this media combined
> > with
> > these volume license keys before on "Real" boxes for other development
> > projects and they have worked flawlessly. I hope someone can help.
> > Thanks
> > in advance.
> > --
> > RMK
>
>
>

> I recently intstalled Virtual PC 2004 and had no trouble creating a virtual
> DOS machine and a virtual instance of Win98 2nd Edition. I have not been
> able to install a virtual instance of XP Professional or Server 2003. When I
> enter the Product key I get the message "The CD key you entered in not
> valid". Here are the particulars of my attempts: The host machine is my
> laptop running XP Pro SP1. The install media for the virtual OSes are the
> original MSDN subscription DVD's and I am using valid volume license keys
> issued to my company. I have no trouble initiating the install, the first
> hint of a problem is noted when the key is required. The version of VPC that
> I have installed is 2004 build 582.
>
> Before I posted this question, I noticed a similar thread with no
> resolution. The only suggestions given were that the media and license did
> not match. I can assure everyone that I have used this media combined with
> these volume license keys before on "Real" boxes for other development
> projects and they have worked flawlessly. I hope someone can help. Thanks
> in advance.
> --
> RMK

>I recently intstalled Virtual PC 2004 and had no trouble creating a virtual
> DOS machine and a virtual instance of Win98 2nd Edition. I have not been
> able to install a virtual instance of XP Professional or Server 2003.
> When I
> enter the Product key I get the message "The CD key you entered in not
> valid". Here are the particulars of my attempts: The host machine is my
> laptop running XP Pro SP1. The install media for the virtual OSes are the
> original MSDN subscription DVD's and I am using valid volume license keys
> issued to my company. I have no trouble initiating the install, the first
> hint of a problem is noted when the key is required. The version of VPC
> that
> I have installed is 2004 build 582.
>
> Before I posted this question, I noticed a similar thread with no
> resolution. The only suggestions given were that the media and license
> did
> not match. I can assure everyone that I have used this media combined
> with
> these volume license keys before on "Real" boxes for other development
> projects and they have worked flawlessly. I hope someone can help.
> Thanks
> in advance.
> --
> RMK

> If you are installing an MSDN copy of XP Pro, then you need to sign on to
> the MSDN downloads site and get the key from there.
>
> --
> Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
> "RussKaiser" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
> news:(email address - cut out)...
> > Jerry,
> >
> > I'm sorry to say that I am not following you. That is probably not your
> > fault but mine. Can you rephrase your answer for a knuckle head? The
> > volume
> > license keys that I am using for the installs are those issued to my
> > company
> > for the MSDN subscriptions. I got them directly from our MSDN bennefit
> > page. Take XPPro for example. I can take the same media and key and
> > install
> > the operating system on a "real" computer without any problems. Why would
> > VPC draw a distinction for a virtual install. My laptop OS is the native
> > install licensed with my box through Dell, so there are no duplication of
> > keys; not that I think that is a factor from what I have seen on other
> > postings. Does it matter that the version of VPC that I am evaluating is
> > also an MSDN subscription program?
> >
> >
> > "Jerry Dubuke" wrote:
> >
> >> Hi Russ,
> >> IIRC, the MSDN versions of the software you are installing are *not*
> >> retail
> >> or OEM versions, but something in-between. You need to get onto the MSDN
> >> site, and download your CD Keys from there. These keys are specific for
> >> the
> >> MSDN versions of the software.
> >> As another route, use the original install CDs that you got with your
> >> license agreement, and then the Volume CD key will work.
> >> Hope this helps,
> >> Jerry
> >>
> >> "RussKaiser" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
> >> news:(email address - cut out)...
> >> >I recently intstalled Virtual PC 2004 and had no trouble creating a
> >> >virtual
> >> > DOS machine and a virtual instance of Win98 2nd Edition. I have not
> >> > been
> >> > able to install a virtual instance of XP Professional or Server 2003.
> >> > When I
> >> > enter the Product key I get the message "The CD key you entered in not
> >> > valid". Here are the particulars of my attempts: The host machine is
> >> > my
> >> > laptop running XP Pro SP1. The install media for the virtual OSes are
> >> > the
> >> > original MSDN subscription DVD's and I am using valid volume license
> >> > keys
> >> > issued to my company. I have no trouble initiating the install, the
> >> > first
> >> > hint of a problem is noted when the key is required. The version of
> >> > VPC
> >> > that
> >> > I have installed is 2004 build 582.
> >> >
> >> > Before I posted this question, I noticed a similar thread with no
> >> > resolution. The only suggestions given were that the media and license
> >> > did
> >> > not match. I can assure everyone that I have used this media combined
> >> > with
> >> > these volume license keys before on "Real" boxes for other development
> >> > projects and they have worked flawlessly. I hope someone can help.
> >> > Thanks
> >> > in advance.
> >> > --
> >> > RMK
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

> Hi Russ,
> Reading back on your issue, I see that you have used this combination
> before. I am at a total loss as to why it would not work on the VPC you are
> installing into - I have done this many times without a problem...
>
> MSDN as far as I know does not have a "volume" license. It is a single
> license.
> If you are talking about "action pack", then you have a volume license for
> 10 copies.
> I was able to do what you are trying to do by using the MSDN ISO image of
> Windows XP Pro with no problem. I used the license key that was generated
> from the MSDN website. I know that in the past, when I put in the wrong CD
> for the install, it would not take my MSDN license for a retail CD.
> Sorry I could not be of further help.
> Jerry

> Jerry,
>
> I'm sorry to say that I am not following you. That is probably not your
> fault but mine. Can you rephrase your answer for a knuckle head? The
> volume
> license keys that I am using for the installs are those issued to my
> company
> for the MSDN subscriptions. I got them directly from our MSDN bennefit
> page. Take XPPro for example. I can take the same media and key and
> install
> the operating system on a "real" computer without any problems. Why would
> VPC draw a distinction for a virtual install. My laptop OS is the native
> install licensed with my box through Dell, so there are no duplication of
> keys; not that I think that is a factor from what I have seen on other
> postings. Does it matter that the version of VPC that I am evaluating is
> also an MSDN subscription program?
>
>
> "Jerry Dubuke" wrote:
>
>> Hi Russ,
>> IIRC, the MSDN versions of the software you are installing are *not*
>> retail
>> or OEM versions, but something in-between. You need to get onto the MSDN
>> site, and download your CD Keys from there. These keys are specific for
>> the
>> MSDN versions of the software.
>> As another route, use the original install CDs that you got with your
>> license agreement, and then the Volume CD key will work.
>> Hope this helps,
>> Jerry
>>
>> "RussKaiser" <(email address - cut out)> wrote in message
>> news:(email address - cut out)...
>> >I recently intstalled Virtual PC 2004 and had no trouble creating a
>> >virtual
>> > DOS machine and a virtual instance of Win98 2nd Edition. I have not
>> > been
>> > able to install a virtual instance of XP Professional or Server 2003.
>> > When I
>> > enter the Product key I get the message "The CD key you entered in not
>> > valid". Here are the particulars of my attempts: The host machine is
>> > my
>> > laptop running XP Pro SP1. The install media for the virtual OSes are
>> > the
>> > original MSDN subscription DVD's and I am using valid volume license
>> > keys
>> > issued to my company. I have no trouble initiating the install, the
>> > first
>> > hint of a problem is noted when the key is required. The version of
>> > VPC
>> > that
>> > I have installed is 2004 build 582.
>> >
>> > Before I posted this question, I noticed a similar thread with no
>> > resolution. The only suggestions given were that the media and license
>> > did
>> > not match. I can assure everyone that I have used this media combined
>> > with
>> > these volume license keys before on "Real" boxes for other development
>> > projects and they have worked flawlessly. I hope someone can help.
>> > Thanks
>> > in advance.
>> > --
>> > RMK
>>
>>
>>

> Thanks for trying, Jerry;
>
> I think the trouble may be caused by using the bootable DVD media. I was
> able to use the retail media with the MSDN key for XPPRO and it worked! I
> wasn't able to get an OEM install of Server to work, however. Now,
>
> I am going to try and download and burn an ISO image of XPPRO and 2003
> Server from MSDN and see if I have any better success. Virtual PC boots
> and
> reads the DVD fine through the captured CD/DVD drive on my laptop and
> initiates the install correctly until the key is entered. That is when it
> gives me the "Invalid Key" error message.
>
> BTW, I am getting my license key from our company's certified partner
> benefits page that reads:
>
> "Listed on this page are all the Volume License Keys associated with your
> organization. Volume License Keys allow you to activate the software you
> receive through MSDN for internal use, development and testing."
>
> As I have stated before, I know the keys work on a "Real" install.
>
> Russ
>
> "Jerry Dubuke" wrote:
>
>> Hi Russ,
>> Reading back on your issue, I see that you have used this combination
>> before. I am at a total loss as to why it would not work on the VPC you
>> are
>> installing into - I have done this many times without a problem...
>>
>> MSDN as far as I know does not have a "volume" license. It is a single
>> license.
>> If you are talking about "action pack", then you have a volume license
>> for
>> 10 copies.
>> I was able to do what you are trying to do by using the MSDN ISO image of
>> Windows XP Pro with no problem. I used the license key that was
>> generated
>> from the MSDN website. I know that in the past, when I put in the wrong
>> CD
>> for the install, it would not take my MSDN license for a retail CD.
>> Sorry I could not be of further help.
>> Jerry

> For what it's worth, I scrounged through all our software and found a
> single
> retail version of XPPro. All the others disks were for OEM installs. I
> tried this media and key and was able to create a virtual XPPro box. Of
> course, because this OS is already in use on a "real" PC, the fact that it
> installs does me no good. I will have to delete it. I really need to be
> able to use our MSDN volume licensed copies of XPPro and 2003 server to
> develop and test a client server application. Does anyone have any new
> ideas?
>
> "RussKaiser" wrote:
>
>> I recently intstalled Virtual PC 2004 and had no trouble creating a
>> virtual
>> DOS machine and a virtual instance of Win98 2nd Edition. I have not been
>> able to install a virtual instance of XP Professional or Server 2003.
>> When I
>> enter the Product key I get the message "The CD key you entered in not
>> valid". Here are the particulars of my attempts: The host machine is my
>> laptop running XP Pro SP1. The install media for the virtual OSes are
>> the
>> original MSDN subscription DVD's and I am using valid volume license keys
>> issued to my company. I have no trouble initiating the install, the
>> first
>> hint of a problem is noted when the key is required. The version of VPC
>> that
>> I have installed is 2004 build 582.
>>
>> Before I posted this question, I noticed a similar thread with no
>> resolution. The only suggestions given were that the media and license
>> did
>> not match. I can assure everyone that I have used this media combined
>> with
>> these volume license keys before on "Real" boxes for other development
>> projects and they have worked flawlessly. I hope someone can help.
>> Thanks
>> in advance.
>> --
>> RMK

> Thanks for trying, Jerry;
>
> I think the trouble may be caused by using the bootable DVD media. I was
> able to use the retail media with the MSDN key for XPPRO and it worked! I
> wasn't able to get an OEM install of Server to work, however. Now,
>
> I am going to try and download and burn an ISO image of XPPRO and 2003
> Server from MSDN and see if I have any better success. Virtual PC boots and
> reads the DVD fine through the captured CD/DVD drive on my laptop and
> initiates the install correctly until the key is entered. That is when it
> gives me the "Invalid Key" error message.
>
> BTW, I am getting my license key from our company's certified partner
> benefits page that reads:
>
> "Listed on this page are all the Volume License Keys associated with your
> organization. Volume License Keys allow you to activate the software you
> receive through MSDN for internal use, development and testing."
>
> As I have stated before, I know the keys work on a "Real" install.
>
> Russ
>
> "Jerry Dubuke" wrote:
>
>
>>Hi Russ,
>>Reading back on your issue, I see that you have used this combination
>>before. I am at a total loss as to why it would not work on the VPC you are
>>installing into - I have done this many times without a problem...
>>
>>MSDN as far as I know does not have a "volume" license. It is a single
>>license.
>>If you are talking about "action pack", then you have a volume license for
>>10 copies.
>>I was able to do what you are trying to do by using the MSDN ISO image of
>>Windows XP Pro with no problem. I used the license key that was generated
>>from the MSDN website. I know that in the past, when I put in the wrong CD
>>for the install, it would not take my MSDN license for a retail CD.
>>Sorry I could not be of further help.
>>Jerry

> Have you installed VPC SP1?
> --
> Cheers,
> Benjamin Armstrong
> ===============================
> Virtual machine Program Manager
>