OEM Licence lost with HD Failure?

[Guest]

I am trying to recover a PC where an OEM version of XP home was provided. No
dosc with full OS provided. Restore CD relies upon hidden HD section but HD
no good. Original supplier out of business.

Have original OS licence key - how can I re-install o/s on same computer
with new HD?

 

[ANONYMOUS]

If you don't have the original OEM CD then the serial number you have is
worthless unless somebody can copy the CD for you which is from the same
OEM. For example, HP CDs don't work on Dell systems and vice versa.

hth

 

[Guest]

You can borrow a windows xp cd with the same version--home or pro-- and use
the license on the sticker on your computer. If you can't borrow one, you can
try calling MS to explain since you should have received the disk, but I
think you'll need to buy a new copy. Even OEM's that out of business might
have a support site that can handle this. Google it and see.

 

[Kerry Brown]

With some OEM's a generic OEM CD of the same version (i.e. Home or Pro) will
install with the key that came with the computer. It's worth a try. Usually
if you do this Internet activation will fail. You will have to phone in the
activation.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I had tried using my full retail version and the licence key from
the affected PC. As ANONYMOUS stated the OEM key is rejected.

Looks like I will be very lucky to get hold of original OEM disc.....