XP Problems after getting rid of Vista.

[Geiser34]

Ok, I installed Vista about 2 months ago on my HP a350n, stupidly, erased my primary partition to put Vista on.
After about..2 weeks I got bored of the compatibility issues and just wanted to go back to XP.
So, I went to my Electronics teacher and asked him what to do, he handed me an XP install disk, because my comp didn't come with one (oddly). Anyway, I was installing XP, then it asked for a product key (GASP!).
Well, franticly checked every inch of my computer and all the manuals for any 25 digit number...guess what? NONE!
So, I went to HP's online support (quite a nice feature, btw), they said I should just get recovery disks. I told the guy to just send them over my way. Nooooo, he said it would be $21 plus tax -.-
So, i just went back to my Electronics teacher the next day, he gave me a key (he had a list of about 250 keys on a sheet of paper, probably used for all the school comps), I tried one, it worked.
I go to install SP2 that night and....I have a genuine issue thing (the same disk I used is probably used for every comp in my school, I should have thought of that)
So, what do I do? Shell out $20 to HP and reinstall XP?
Or..is there another solution?
Please help! lol

 

[Kenny]

If you wiped out your primary partition, there probably isn't a way to retrieve the key.

I remember selling those computers at CC actually, and they had XP stickers on them, along with an F12 function to restore the factory O/S. Perhaps your unit got missed. Anyway, try using the F12 function; If it's not there, you're out of luck. Also, your school should be offering copies of XP either really cheap or even free if you're a student and they're in the MS program. Either beg HP for the key or spend the $20.

You're probably running into some EULA issues using one of the school keys BTW.

 

[angrynerdrock]

you should get the recovery disc from HP.

Right now you have a pirated version of XP, and you are infringing on Microsoft's copyright.

 

[tyler811]

My dad had the same problem and after I talked to them for about 20 minutes they sent the discs for free. That is just idiotic paying for something that should come free.

 

[Geiser34]

Originally posted by: Kenny
If you wiped out your primary partition, there probably isn't a way to retrieve the key.

I remember selling those computers at CC actually, and they had XP stickers on them, along with an F12 function to restore the factory O/S. Perhaps your unit got missed. Anyway, try using the F12 function; If it's not there, you're out of luck. Also, your school should be offering copies of XP either really cheap or even free if you're a student and they're in the MS program. Either beg HP for the key or spend the $20.

You're probably running into some EULA issues using one of the school keys BTW.

My Electronics teacher made it quite clear that giving me the CD was illegal, and I shouldnt tell anyone about it, so my school doesnt have any such MS program.
When I boot up, it shows that I can press F12 for the system restore...doesnt do anything lol.

Originally posted by: angrynerdrock
you should get the recovery disc from HP.

Right now you have a pirated version of XP, and you are infringing on Microsoft's copyright.

Originally posted by: tyler811
My dad had the same problem and after I talked to them for about 20 minutes they sent the discs for free. That is just idiotic paying for something that should come free.

Hehe, I guess I'll try begging HP, if it worked for Tyler811, it should work for me.

If that doesn't work I'll download the new Vista Build 5384 until I get a job lol
Originally, I had the 5270 Build, the new one must be better.