Install win xp home..

[L.S.]

Have a compaq system.
HD went out.

Win xp that came with system is not seperate. I have 1x Recovery cd and 3x
QuickRestore cd's.
Problem is that I've done several upgrades to the system. (video card, more
memory, dvd burner....) and Compaq instructions says I need to put system
back to original setup for disks to work, keep freezing 1/2 way through
install.

I have loaded win98se and it's working ok so I know the system is working
ok.

Was told that I could use one of my other winxp disk to load and just use
the numbers off the back of the Compaq case to reload.
I have 2x oems disks, 1x upgrade sp2 and 1x upgrade winxp sp1.

When I try and use the upgrade versions and enter the numbers(winxp sticker
on back of compaq case), it doesn't work.

Any suggestions please and if this isn't legal, let me know.,

Thanks,

 

[Bob I]

Have a compaq system.
HD went out.

Win xp that came with system is not seperate. I have 1x Recovery cd and 3x
QuickRestore cd's.
Problem is that I've done several upgrades to the system. (video card, more
memory, dvd burner....) and Compaq instructions says I need to put system
back to original setup for disks to work, keep freezing 1/2 way through
install.

I have loaded win98se and it's working ok so I know the system is working
ok.

Was told that I could use one of my other winxp disk to load and just use
the numbers off the back of the Compaq case to reload.
I have 2x oems disks, 1x upgrade sp2 and 1x upgrade winxp sp1.

When I try and use the upgrade versions and enter the numbers(winxp sticker
on back of compaq case), it doesn't work.

Any suggestions please and if this isn't legal, let me know.,

Thanks,

But the "other" disks likely don't have all the drivers for the Compaq
AND being an upgrade cd needs to have a "qualifying version" available,
and the restore discs don't have all the drivers for the new stuff. So
you need to configure the hardware to work with what you have.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The product key for the preinstalled XP will not work with retail XP cd's.

You should order an XP cd from Compaq if they will sell you one.

You should back up your data files and do a restore from the restore cd and
complete installation of drivers and utilities and then find drivers for any
new hardware that the Compaq software does not provide.

 

[L.S.]

Thanks for the info.
Compaq doesn't support this old system any more.
Will leave win98se on it.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Try this source for obsolete restore cd's:
http://www.restoredisks.com/

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Have a compaq system.
HD went out.

Win xp that came with system is not seperate. I have 1x Recovery cd and 3x
QuickRestore cd's.
Problem is that I've done several upgrades to the system. (video card, more
memory, dvd burner....) and Compaq instructions says I need to put system
back to original setup for disks to work, keep freezing 1/2 way through
install.

This is unclear. Is the installation still freezing after you returned
the computer to its original hardware configuration (This is often
*necessary* when using OEM Recovery media.), or have you not yet done so?

I have loaded win98se and it's working ok so I know the system is working
ok.

Not really relevant. Comparing WinXP to Win9x is a lot like comparing
a Lexus to a Yugo -- any similarities are entirely superficial and
mostly coincidental. WinXP, like WinNT and Win2K before it, is quite
sensitive to borderline defective or substandard hardware (particularly
motherboards, RAM and hard drives) that will still support Win9x.

Was told that I could use one of my other winxp disk to load and just use
the numbers off the back of the Compaq case to reload.
I have 2x oems disks, 1x upgrade sp2 and 1x upgrade winxp sp1.

When I try and use the upgrade versions and enter the numbers(winxp sticker
on back of compaq case), it doesn't work.

No, it probably wouldn't work. Product Keys are bound to the specific
type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade)
with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key
won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of
WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with
a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an
English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD/license types cannot be
mixed & matched.



--

Bruce Chambers

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[L.S.]

Thanks.
I have the Restore disks but I've changed/upgraded the system and don't have
the original 'parts' which support says I need.

If Compaq/HP won't support their older system then I'll be sure not to
purchase anything from them. All they have to do is keep winxp seperate from
drivers. Or in this case just send me a winxp oem copy.
They tell you how to upgrade but they don't tell you that if you have to
reinstall from the Restore disks, you're toast.

 

[L.S.]

Problem is I can't return to original setup as I've replace video card,
exchanged slower cd rom with a newer DVD burner, wireless lan card, etc. and
I don't have the older/original 'stuff'.

Going to unplug everything except bare neccessities, reformat HD and see if
it loads.
If that works, then I can reinstall DVD burner, wireless lan card, etc.

 

[L.S.]

Got restore to load including winxp.
Another problem.

Started d/l the security fixes and at one point, using express, it states
I'm now ready to d/l sp2. Start d/l load procedure but about 1/3-1/2 way
through install system either locks up or restarts.
I even tried to d/l sp1. It got all the way through but says it didn't
install.

The only error I can get is a ntdll.dll error and that was on a restart.
Reported error but no suggestion from MS. Winxp continues to load after I
click OK.

Any suggestion to try,