WinXP installation problem (invalid key)

I have Windows Millennium installed on my computer. I have a P4, 1.3 GHz, with 256mb of RAM. I'm trying to upgrade to Windows XP.

My school's CS department now belongs to the MSDN Academic Alliance, which a comp. sci major told me allows him to obtain licenses/keys for Windows XP (among other things) for free, legally. He "ordered" a copy for me, which involved him getting a key (online) and then picking up a copy of an install CD from the school's MSDN software library. The prof who administers the MSDN stuff made the copy. So as far as I understand, everything's been done legally and correctly (though I'm no expert on MSDNAA).

Problem: when I try to install (as an upgrade), it tells me my CD key is invalid. I've tried all of the tips and tricks listed here on the Microsoft page with no success--still tells me my key is invalid. Calling microsoft was of no help because I don't have a copy of the certificate of authenticity, and my friend says there's none that he can see when he logs in online. It's been tough getting through to the prof that administers the MSDN program, and that's the only other source of help I can think of at this point. Soo...

1) Does anyone know what might be going on? Is there anything I can try before trying a clean install?

2) Is it likely that I wouldn't have the CD key error message for the clean install? I don't know much about how keys work, but that sounded unlikely to me and I"d prefer not to deal with backing up so much data at this moment (I'd like not to wipe it all by reformatting, but it's non-vital enough that I don't back it up regularly).

My friend found an illegal key that he said "always" works, and that gave me the same error message, if that's of any help. I'm just confused because as far as I understand, this is all *legal*.

 

Most upgrades from ME to XP cause problems, either presently or in the future. A clean install is always best. As for the key problem, it sounds like you are trying to use a key that doesn't match your installation. There are three types of installation CD's/types - OEM, RETAIL, and VOLUME or Corp. Ask your department head which type of installation CD that he gave you. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks! I'll see if I can find out. It's odd if he gave me the wrong one for the program, but oh well.

*is very, very eager to get rid of ME forever*