My product key says it's invalid

[Kenny]

Hey, everybody. I have a problem...i have an HP computer which has it's on
COA on it. Unfortunately, greedy HP does not give you any restore disks or
the XP cd on this computer. It was bought new at the store. Too much junk was
on it, so I reformated and since I didn't have an XP cd thanks to HP...I
borrowed a CD trying to reinstall windows. I reinstalled it....however my COA
product key is not working for this computer. What do i need to do...is there
a way to activate xp with my COA key? Or do I need to call microsoft and have
them activate it for me?
Thanks.

 

[Juan Perez]

Hi Kenny:

The version of your OS that you have installed it is OEM version. That is a
especific version provided by HP to the customer in their computers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP#License_and_media_types

I do not know which model of HP you have. I have a HP pavillion Dv 2600.
When you turn on the laptop and after configure it, you have the chance to
create a DVD or CD with a copy of the OS, in case as yours, you have to make
a reinstall.

If you do not have such CD / DVD, I will call HP and aske them if there is
any way to download that CD.

Check this HP webpage:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&cc=us&dlc=en&product=18703&docname=c00707856

--



Un Saludo
Juan Perez

 

[William of Baskerville]

Hey, everybody. I have a problem...i have an HP computer which has it's on
COA on it. Unfortunately, greedy HP does not give you any restore disks or
the XP cd on this computer. It was bought new at the store. Too much junk
was
on it, so I reformated and since I didn't have an XP cd thanks to HP...I
borrowed a CD trying to reinstall windows. I reinstalled it....however my
COA
product key is not working for this computer. What do i need to do...is
there
a way to activate xp with my COA key? Or do I need to call microsoft and
have
them activate it for me?
Thanks.

HP computers don't need a system recovery CD as they have a recovery
partition on the hard drive from which you can create a set of CDs.

 

[DG]

HP computers don't need a system recovery CD as they have a recovery
partition on the hard drive from which you can create a set of CDs.

Is it still possible to create those recovery disk if the Windows
partition has been formatted?

It seems to me that the application to create those disks would be run
from within Windows and now the OP has formatted it.

DG

 

[Clark...]

Hey, everybody. I have a problem...i have an HP computer which has
it's on COA on it. Unfortunately, greedy HP does not give you any
restore disks or the XP cd on this computer. It was bought new at the
store. Too much junk was on it, so I reformated and since I didn't
have an XP cd thanks to HP...I borrowed a CD trying to reinstall
windows. I reinstalled it....however my COA product key is not
working for this computer. What do i need to do...is there a way to
activate xp with my COA key? Or do I need to call microsoft and have
them activate it for me?
Thanks.

Hi Ken
what you need to do is get your hands on a copy of an OEM XP disk, home or
pro or media edition, whichever was installed on that PC originally, it
tells you what version on your XP sticker on the case.
I think the best thing to do is to just order a recovery set from HP, they
only charge like $20.00 and the set will install all your drivers and stuff
too.(because you will need to install the proper motherboard drivers also)
Or you could download XP from torrent whichever variety you need and try it
that way. You will want to download an XP ISO.


Clark...

 

[HeyBub]

Hey, everybody. I have a problem...i have an HP computer which has
it's on COA on it. Unfortunately, greedy HP does not give you any
restore disks or the XP cd on this computer. It was bought new at the
store. Too much junk was on it, so I reformated and since I didn't
have an XP cd thanks to HP...I borrowed a CD trying to reinstall
windows. I reinstalled it....however my COA product key is not
working for this computer. What do i need to do...is there a way to
activate xp with my COA key? Or do I need to call microsoft and have
them activate it for me?

Gotta use a CD (or equivalent) from HP:
1. The displayed product key is tied to HP distribution CDs. Your product
key won't work on either a retail or OEM disk from another source.
2. The HP OEM disk may contain hardware-specific drivers.

You didn't have an XP disk because you didn't make one.

 

[Xandros]

Try press F11 when the computer first starts. You might gain access to the
image stored in the hidden recovery partition and be able to take system
back to the new setup. From there you should be able to create a recovery
disc set for yourself.

 

[Bill Sharpe]

As I recall (I don't buy prebuilts but have worked on them owned by
others), there is a key that you hit on startup that runs the HP
recovery wizard (and must be pressed before Windows starts loading).
This will recover using the install-time image that was secreted in a
hidden partition. If you formatted a partition, this hidden one should
still be around. If you deleted that hidden partition to make another
partition larger then you wiped out the recovery image. In that case,
you'll have to call Dell to order the replacement CDs at a cost of $20
to $30 (should arrive in about 3 days).

<rest snipped>
Call HP, not Dell...

Bill

 

[Clark...]

1. The displayed product key is tied to HP distribution CDs. Your
product key won't work on either a retail or OEM disk from another
source. 2. The HP OEM disk may contain hardware-specific drivers.

You didn't have an XP disk because you didn't make one.

Heybub, what the heck are you talking about?
I use the same OEM XP CD's for EVERY install of XP that I have to do,
that comes up to about 100+ repair installs and fresh installs a year.
Install an OEM on an OEM, which is what the HP is, an OEM computer.
I also am a OEM system builder.
all you have to do is install a copy of an OEM XP version, and download and
install all your system specific drivers, and your done.
oh, you can also do it from a disk image, etc etc,

Clark...