I asked a question bout finding the product code for a particular OS on my machine yesterday...got a quick answer that worked like a charm. Got my code..went to work to install my 2000Pro on my other computer..but now it won't take the code. I found my original copy of the CD,(blame it on my wife)..& so I KNOW the code is right. But it won't accept it. So..I tried to put on a copy of XP Pro..won't take the code for it either. Loads fine up till that point.
These ARE legitimate CD's & Codes...but it has me baffled.Are you sure you're installing the right version of 2000? The key is for a specific version, so a key for an English retail version of the OS wont work on an OEM version for example. I'm sure they match right. I know..for instance you can't use an XP Home code for pro..ETC. The Codes I have are for the 2000 Pro..(had it for years now) 7 the code for the XP Pro was on the CD when given to me as a gift.It worked on a different computer..but not this one I'm trying now. It's an older NEC...but has 450 Mghz & 192Mb ram so I know power's not an issue. Won't fly..but will work. I'm wondering if it's something in the old HD...or bios.Don't quite know what to say then. If they key and OS version match it should work. I assume you've already triple checked you enter the code correctly.Heh heh...& then some...

Just had a thought...I have two HD's on there...a 6Gb..& a 2.8Gb. Could that be part of the problem...I had the swapfiles for the old system on the 2nd HDIt shouldn't matter if you're installing to 1st HD. But HEY it can't hurt to disconnect it.
Are you doing a clean install or installing the OS over the old one?
Yep..clean install.
It had XP Home on there..which i don't care for...so figured I's replace it. Just took out the 2nd HD to SEE if it makes a difference.

Oh well..that didn't make a difference. This is really weird...As a last resort you could always contact MS...they're not the ogres everyone makes them out to be on liscensing issues...

BTW are you running FDisk on that drive beforehand ? ?
If you have a floppy drive you can DLoad the file from bootdisk.com
Worth a shot.No..hadn't run Fdisk...just reformatted off the 2000 disk. I have a copy on floppy here somewhere.....but I thought that was just for Fat32?

Ok for an update...downloaded a program to wipe the HD...then tried installing 2000 on a clean HD...& I mean sqweeky clean...no go. Still says the code is invalid. I did get a 30 day trial version of XP Media Center to load...heh.Off the XP Pro disk...now figure that one out.So both XP and Win2K are doing the same thing ? ?

The codes are case-sensitive...are you sure capslock is turned off ? ?

I've also seen this happen when using numpad instead of the regular keys....Yes...both are doing the same. I'm on the computer now with the trial version of Media Center installed. I went to the MS site...all they want to do is sell me something. If I had the money I'd buy a new key for the XP Pro...but can't. I bought the 2000Pro back in 03 so I shouldn't have to pay for it again.
My stepson tried to use the XP cd on his laptop...code wouldn't work there either, so I may just have the wrong code for that one. No big deal..but still don't know why the 2000 won't work..that code has been validated by the MS update center. So I know it's legit still. Has to be something on this computer, the HD, something. I have another HD I'm gonna wipe clean..hook up & see what happens then later today.Not sure why they wanted to sell you something...
The last time i had this issue all they did was enter the code into their DBase to see if it was being used and they issued me a new code on the phone...Sorry I been so long in responding...
The MS site said I didn't qualify for another code...or free tech answers, even by email. Like I said no biggy...the XP Media center is good for 30 days...but Sometime I'll get the proper code for XP Pro. Hadn't even had time to try the other HD yet & see if 2000 will install on that. But a new day, a new year, & the same old junk with MS...but that the price ya pay!!
If I get it figured out I'll let yuns know...for future reference!
Ok...guess I'll give up...the other HD I was gonna use won't work in the computer either...no matter how I set the jumper. It "see" a drive there but won't let me do ANYTHING with it.
This is an Old NEC...which I know the Ram in it won't work in my Dell...which was made the same year....guess it's got lots of issues...too bad..seems to be fast enough for what i use if I could get another OS to install. Oh well...someday I'll get rich & get rid of my antiques!!!It would make a nice Linux box...Ubuntu is pretty decent and if you travel to their site they will ship you up to 10 sets of CD's with both a Live version you can run from the CD and an install CD...