virtualbox.org

Being cheap I installed an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro. It installed and activated fine. However, it fails to pass Microsoft validation. Microsoft says it may be counterfeit, but it came shrink wrapped with a very convincing sticker. Based on another thread on the list I believe it could be caused by my media being an OEM version of the OS which won't play nice with the VM. (My Win7 install with consumer media seems to have gone fine.)

* The Microsoft site offers an upgrade for $150. Will this work?
* If I get a single user non-OEM desktop license of XP Pro, will that work?

I'm studying for a version of the CompTIA A+ exam based on Windows XP.

Did you try activating by phone?

Yep. I tried activating by phone.

It activated, then failed validation.

If it is a counterfeit it is a very good counterfeit.