Have COA, need Windows

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
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I am trying to fix my parents computer. The drive crapped out and because Compaq likes to be a pain in my a$$ they didn't include any OS disc (just the on-disk recovery, which was on the now dead drive).

So I have the COA sticker on the case that has the key and all, but I don't have the OS disc. Is there a legit source for an OS disc without a key?

Thanks.
 

sivart

Golden Member
Oct 20, 2000
1,786
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I would call Compaq and explain the situation. You need a Compaq OEM disc. You can check around with people you know to make a copy -- that would be legal. However, your key won't work with a non-OEM (I.e. retail, upgrade, etc) disc.
 

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
0
0
I would call Compaq and explain the situation. You need a Compaq OEM disc. You can check around with people you know to make a copy -- that would be legal. However, your key won't work with a non-OEM (I.e. retail, upgrade, etc) disc.

I didn't know that. Thanks.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,567
8,851
126
Generic oem will work. You may have to call MS, but it's no big deal. I'm sure you can find a oem disc somewhere....
 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,718
432
126
You could check Ebay for HP/COMPAQ OS installation CD. Or I can Frankenstein you one and mail it to you, if you don't want to download one.
 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
I threw a Dell OEM disc on my HP laptop. The OS got corrupted and I forgot to make the recovery discs. I did not want to spend $5 to get them from HP.