how can you reinstall XP on a HP laptop using the MS serial code that came with laptop?

[trend]

I have a laptop of my friends that needs to have windows XP Pro reinstalled. I do not have the OEM cds that came with the laptop.. and my XP pro cd's will not take the serial number that is on the bottom of the laptop.

What can I do :/ ?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Get the HP install cds.

 

[trend]

Any idea how much they cost?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Nope, your buddy should have one. Should have come with his notebook. An OEM version of XP pro might work. I'm not sure.

 

[Cygnus X1]

Originally posted by: trend
I have a laptop of my friends that needs to have windows XP Pro reinstalled. I do not have the OEM cds that came with the laptop.. and my XP pro cd's will not take the serial number that is on the bottom of the laptop.

What can I do :/ ?

Something smells fishy

 

[RBBRMADE]

A lot of HP/Compaqs with XP from the factory have a hidden partiion on the HDD.
Try tapping F10 at boot and see if you get a restore/recovery menu.
Ron

 

[trend]

oh yeah.. forgot about that option

Maybe that is why he doesn't have the CDs.. (but i know for a fact he doesn't have the cds)

heh, and as far as this sounding fishy.. it smells more legit to me than fishy.. esp since i have the serial code on the SIDE OF THE LAPTOP (this is the for mods.. last time they lokcked my thread about encryption.. i think it was encryption and DRM because they didn't understand the topic.. oh well.. if you don't understand, ask this time )

 

[trend]

Anyone know though.. how can I get the serial to work? or is there no way to get this to work ? :/

 

[DrCool]

you need the OEM verison of whatever the Product Key is for. The product key on any OEM laptop/desktop (ie Dell / HP - Compaq / IBM / Sony / Gateway) gives you legitimate access to one copy of the OS on that device.

if you have access to an OEM copy of the OS (ie XP Home OEM, XP Pro OEM), you can install it with that product key

 

[trend]

Ok :/ But all the OEM software I have reinstalled doesn't ask you for the serial number..

Is there OEM that does? And also.. is there just 2 versions of the OEM.. aka pro and home.. and I will be able to use either on any brand system.. aka HP, Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc?

thanks!

 

[redbeard1]

You can use this guide to figure out what version of XP you have. Then use the method it takes to create a slipstream XP cd, and modify your cd numbers to accept an OEM number

Setupp.ini

 

[Sforsyth]

some HP Compaq's have the WinXP folder right on the HD not hidden, but you do need to make a recovery disk with thier software if this is the case, I think.

 

[Nocturnal]

It'll be around $12.00 + shipping for your restore disks.

 

[TrueWisdom]

You need an OEM copy of Windows XP. There are many ways of going about it--for starters, you can modify your Pro Retail CDs setupp.ini file, and burn another image. (Although I've heard it can cause issues with activation.) Do a quick google on changing XP Retail to XP OEM--there are a ton of guides.

 

[tiap]

Apparantly, hp lost a class lawsuit in August and must give everyone restore cd's for free.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: trend
Anyone know though.. how can I get the serial to work? or is there no way to get this to work ? :/

You have to get an OEM version of WinXP for it to work. Retail and volume license keys dont work with a OEM copy.