Microsoft KB Archive/256597

= Product Key Is Invalid When Installing Windows 2000 =

Article ID: 256597

Article Last Modified on 2/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
 * Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition

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This article was previously published under Q256597



SYMPTOMS
When you are installing Window 2000, you may receive one of the following error messages after you type the Product Key number:

The PID is invalid for this version of Windows 2000, provide the PID that came with the Windows 2000 CD.

-or-

The PID is invalid for this version of Windows 2000, provide the PID that came with the Windows 2000 Upgrade CD.



CAUSE
The Product Key you typed may not be valid for the CD-ROM you are using. For example, Windows 2000 Setup from a full retail CD-ROM does not accept a Product Key number from an Windows 2000 Upgrade CD-ROM jewel case.



RESOLUTION
Make sure that you are using the full retail Product Key when you are installing from a full retail CD-ROM, or that you are using the Upgrade Product Key when you are installing from the Upgrade CD-ROM.

If this error message persists even though you are using an appropriate Product Key, you can work around the issue by supplying the part number from the back of the Windows 2000 CD-ROM itself, not the jewel case, to a Microsoft Customer Representative who can generate a valid Product Key.



MORE INFORMATION
When you use the Windows 2000 full retail CD-ROM and attempt to use an Upgrade Product Key, the following error message is displayed:

The PID is invalid for this version of Windows 2000, provide the PID that came with the Windows 2000 CD.

When you use the Windows 2000 Upgrade CD-ROM and attempt to use a full retail Product Key, the following error message is displayed:

The PID is invalid for this version of Windows 2000, provide the PID that came with the Windows 2000 Upgrade CD.

When you use the Windows 2000 Server CD-ROM, the error message changes to reflect Windows 2000 Server.

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb kbsetup kbupgrade KB256597

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