Product Key Question

[eduede]

hey guys,

So this isn't exactly a Win7 question. More of a general MS question.

My friend's computer completely when to pot and so she asked me to fix it. the thing wouldn't boot (even in safe mode) so I borrowed an XP installation disc from a friend and reinstalled the OS.

The lapop is an HP and has the product key on the bottom. But when I entered this key to register the OS, it said it was invalid / typed in wrong. I did the phone registration but the "installation id" that I got and gave to the rep was no good either. I got transferred around but then the call got dropped before there was a resolution. I wanted to check with you guys first before I called again (given how long it takes to make any progress with ms support.

 

[Bill2]

Unlike win7, XP has different media for different license types. In your case you need to find out what edition came preinstalled (should be written on the COA sticker), then get the specific CD for that edition. Also a post-SP1 cd may not work if the computer came with pre-sp1 xp. So basically, you need to get an OEM type CD- service pack may or may not make a difference.

Check in disk management if the computer has a recovery partition- if it has then you can just restore from it. Also ask your friend whether they have the recovery disk (it would have come with the comp) lying around somewhere. That can be booted from and xp restored.

 

[eduede]

wow... lame.

ok, so i looked on the bottom of this computer (that I now hate for making my life hard) and the sticker doesn't indicate a SP of any kind. Does this mean it's a pre-SP install? If so, WTF, I'm told that this computer was purchased in 2005. LMAO

 

[eduede]

I should also ask: how do i get an OEM-Type installation cd?

Oh and I totally deleted the HP recovery partition I was hoping for a "clean" install and instead, just shot myself in the foot...

 

[Bill2]

Well XP SP2 was released in August 2004, so likely the comp came with it. See its difficult to get hold of XP disks now- so just try to get hold of an OEM disk, forget the sp, if its there good. Also, you can google around and look for a clean iso you can download.

 

[cluberti]

You may also be able to get the OEM to ship a new recovery disc or installation disc. Depending on where you are located (if you are in the US this does apply), but downloading an ISO of Windows from anyone other than Microsoft or an authorized distributor is a violation of copyright, and is illegal.

 

[whs]

HP usually will ship you an installation disk for a $20 S&H charge.

 

[eduede]

HP usually will ship you an installation disk for a $20 S&H charge.

yeah, i ended up having to just get one shipped to me from HP... super lame though. I'm really glad that MS did away with these "media specific" keys.

I suppose an Admin could go ahead and mark this thread as "SOLVED".