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why wont my xp home cd install on this hp?

U

unkn0wnhacka

Member
i have this compaq computer im fixng for a customer and im trying to install xp home on it with the serial placed on the case. But its not working. Why is that?

On the xp home serial sticker it says "Windows XP Home Edition HP Serial: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

is this serial only available for hp people to install this when its being manufactured?
 
What, exactly, does "it's not working" mean?

By the way, the Key number on the side of the case is actually never used, since a Compaq OEM CD is likely BIOS-locked and doesn't require activation when installed on a Compaq PC.

If you use a non-Compaq XP Install CD along with the Compaq Key on the case, you will likely have to call Microsoft to Activate it, since online activation of Compaqs, Dells, etc. was stopped in March, 2005.
 
well they lost the recovery cd and i was going to install xp home (retail) on the pc with there included serial number... wont work 🙁
 
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
well they lost the recovery cd and i was going to install xp home (retail) on the pc with there included serial number... wont work 🙁
Click to expand...

OEM CD keys will not work with retail CDs and vice versa.

You'll probably want to order a new recovery CD from HP/Compaq. As RebateMonger mentioned, most major OEMs are pre-activated from the factory. You'll want to preserve this preactivation by reinstalling with the CD provided by the OEM manufacturer.
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
You'll probably want to order a new recovery CD from HP/Compaq. As RebateMonger mentioned, most major OEMs are pre-activated from the factory. You'll want to preserve this preactivation by reinstalling with the CD provided by the OEM manufacturer.
Click to expand...
These Forums are littered with threads on this issue. As MrChad notes, you won't get an OEM Key to work with a Retail CD. If you can possibly acquire an original Compaq CD, just do that and save frustration.
 
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
what about if i get an oem home version and use there keys on the stickers?.... do the keys vary between sp1 sp2?
Click to expand...
No, the keys don't vary betwen Service Packs. If you use an OEM Home CD (non-Compaq), you'll have to call Microsoft to get it Activated. MS will likely allow this, although, technically, it's not supported by Microsoft.
 
so what do companies do when you bring your pc in to get it fixed?

they all have compaq disks with them or they have oem disks and use the oem key on the sticker ?
 
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
so what do companies do when you bring your pc in to get it fixed?

they all have compaq disks with them or they have oem disks and use the oem key on the sticker ?
Click to expand...

I don't own a PC repair shop, but if I did, I'd probably like to have:

1. A retail copy of XP
2. An OEM copy of XP
3. OEM copies of XP from major OEM providers (Dell, Compaq, etc.) with the pre-activation OEMBIOS.xxx files.
4. An MSDN copy of XP
 
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
so what do companies do when you bring your pc in to get it fixed?

they all have compaq disks with them or they have oem disks and use the oem key on the sticker ?
Click to expand...
Well, TECHNICALLY, Microsoft wants repair people to insist that the PC OWNER have his own ORIGINAL OEM CD. Anything else, Microsoft considers piracy. Microsoft's position is that an OEM PC OWNER have THREE things for proof of ownership of a valid XP license:
1) An original XP Install CD
2) An original COA sticker
3) The MS license agreement (paper)

Of course, from a practical standpoint, this makes timely repair of PCs impossible, so most PC repair folks have copies of major OEM XP distributions. 😛
 
I too work on a lot of PC's, I always tell the owner bring all of the disks and licenses for the software you want installed.... No Exceptions. It makes life a lot easier.

pcgeek11
 
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
so if they dont have it then you make them buy xp home again?
Click to expand...
MS's OEM policy isn't pretty. Microsoft has a very strict idea of what they consider piracy. If you aid people in "piracy", you can endanger your business.

A year from now, if a client has Activation issues, all they'll remember is that YOU "fixed" their XP install by providing them with illegally copied disks. That's what they'll tell Microsoft.
 
Originally posted by: pcman83
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
so if they dont have it then you make them buy xp home again?
Click to expand...



YES

I worked at www.4directcomputer.com and we have plenty of oem XP cds. I mean thats all we order its cheaper and the retail is stupid all your paying more for is the stupid box.
Click to expand...

There is a lot more to a retail copy than "the stupid box."
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: pcman83
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
so if they dont have it then you make them buy xp home again?
Click to expand...



YES

I worked at www.4directcomputer.com and we have plenty of oem XP cds. I mean thats all we order its cheaper and the retail is stupid all your paying more for is the stupid box.
Click to expand...

There is a lot more to a retail copy than "the stupid box."
Click to expand...


Oh ya the STUPID MANUEL TOO
 
Originally posted by: pcman83
Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: pcman83
Originally posted by: unkn0wnhacka
so if they dont have it then you make them buy xp home again?
Click to expand...



YES

I worked at www.4directcomputer.com and we have plenty of oem XP cds. I mean thats all we order its cheaper and the retail is stupid all your paying more for is the stupid box.
Click to expand...

There is a lot more to a retail copy than "the stupid box."
Click to expand...


Oh ya the STUPID MANUEL TOO
Click to expand...

:roll:

The terms of the license agreements are completely different. You can search this forum to find more information.
 
you may be correct, but normal users would never know. And its cheaper. Its the same OS, Same files. Same thing. OEM is just in a small sleeve.

Ok i did a search:


http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1867671&enterthread=y

I see about the motherboard issue. But unless that is recent like in the last 4 months its completely false.

I have had customers computers fail and they end up buying a whole new case and I transfer the key over. Sure I have to activate, but I tell them that the motherboard was bad and I get reactivated.

If the OEM thing is true thats stupid. But whatever. Microsoft is that way sometimes.
 
Originally posted by: pcman83
you may be correct, but normal users would never know. And its cheaper. Its the same OS, Same files. Same thing. OEM is just in a small sleeve.
Click to expand...

They should know, because if they ever replace their motherboard or try to transfer their OEM copy of Windows to a new PC, they are violating the terms of the license agreement and their OS is essentially pirated.

If they purchased a retail copy, they would have no such issues.
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: pcman83
you may be correct, but normal users would never know. And its cheaper. Its the same OS, Same files. Same thing. OEM is just in a small sleeve.
Click to expand...

They should know, because if they ever replace their motherboard or try to transfer their OEM copy of Windows to a new PC, they are violating the terms of the license agreement and their OS is essentially pirated.

If they purchased a retail copy, they would have no such issues.
Click to expand...



Read my edited post. And how is it pirated if it activates??? explain that.
 
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