What if an OEM goes bankrupt

[Matt]

If an OEM supplier goes bankrupt...

What do I do when i`m fixing a hard drive failed PC if the PC runs OEM
windows and the OEM only supplied those crappy restore disks that
activate a hidden partition on your computer?

 

[kurttrail]

If an OEM supplier goes bankrupt...

What do I do when i`m fixing a hard drive failed PC if the PC runs OEM
windows and the OEM only supplied those crappy restore disks that
activate a hidden partition on your computer?

Find some one with a generic OEM disk, make a copy of it, and use your
OEM Product Key to install Windows.

According to MS's licencing policies, not that I agree with it, the
license is the PK, not the CD. The only thing you want to make sure of
it if you have an OEM XP HOME PK, then you need a copy of a generic OEM
XP HOME CD, and if you have an OEM XP PRO PK, then you need a copy of a
generic OEM XP PRO CD.

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[Squire]

The OEM disk can be booted and re-installed to a clean hard drive.
It cannot upgrade or repair an operating system already installed.

 

[kurttrail]

The OEM disk can be booted and re-installed to a clean hard drive.
It cannot upgrade or repair an operating system already installed.

It real OEM XP Install Disk, which the OP DOES NOT HAVE, cannot do an
upgrade, but it sure as hell can do a repair install.



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[Kerry Brown]

If an OEM supplier goes bankrupt...

What do I do when i`m fixing a hard drive failed PC if the PC runs OEM
windows and the OEM only supplied those crappy restore disks that activate
a hidden partition on your computer?

You may be out of luck. If the old drive can't be cloned to a new one
(Acronis True Image can clone the restore partition) then you may have to
purchase a new copy of XP. OEM or retail would work. If you go the OEM route
then you are obligated to support the OEM Windows yourself. You may be able
to use the OEM key from the bankrupt supplier with a generic OEM disk. I
would try that first before buying a new copy of XP.

Kerry

 

[Plato]

If an OEM supplier goes bankrupt...

What do I do when i`m fixing a hard drive failed PC if the PC runs OEM
windows and the OEM only supplied those crappy restore disks that
activate a hidden partition on your computer?

Buy a real XP CD. Then you may have to find the drivers you need for
sound, video, etc. If you cant find the drivers then you will also have
to purchase new cards.

 

[plew]

You may be out of luck. If the old drive can't be cloned to a new one
(Acronis True Image can clone the restore partition) then you may have to
purchase a new copy of XP. OEM or retail would work. If you go the OEM route
then you are obligated to support the OEM Windows yourself. You may be able
to use the OEM key from the bankrupt supplier with a generic OEM disk. I
would try that first before buying a new copy of XP.

Kerry

If the OEM went bankrupt or got bought out (eg. compaq), would
ms still consider the OEM keys to be valid keys or even a "genuine
microsoft windows"? The company won't/doesn't exist so the keys
can't exist to be used as well?

 

[Kerry Brown]

If the OEM went bankrupt or got bought out (eg. compaq), would
ms still consider the OEM keys to be valid keys or even a "genuine
microsoft windows"? The company won't/doesn't exist so the keys
can't exist to be used as well?

I have no idea what Microsoft thinks. I do know that it sometimes works and
sometimes doesn't. As long as it was a legitimate copy of Windows in the
first place and a generic OEM install accepts the key I have never had a
problem activating it. The problem is the key. Some keys only work with a
particular OEM's version of XP so the install won't continue past the part
where you enter the key. If that is the case then you would have to buy a
new copy of XP or somehow acquire a CD from the defunct OEM supplier.

Kerry

 

[M]

Talk to Microsoft, they can be very understanding in this situation. They
will supply you with a replacement CD and although they will charge it will
be cheaper than buying an OEM copy (well they did for me!)

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

It real OEM XP Install Disk, which the OP DOES NOT HAVE, cannot do an
upgrade, but it sure as hell can do a repair install.

Absolutely correct.
Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
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[Michael Stevens]

In

If the OEM went bankrupt or got bought out (eg. compaq), would
ms still consider the OEM keys to be valid keys or even a "genuine
microsoft windows"? The company won't/doesn't exist so the keys
can't exist to be used as well?

The PK is still valid, the OEM's non-existance only means they cannot
provide support.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
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[kurttrail]

In

Absolutely correct.
Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Hey Michael! How you doing?

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[Plato]

Talk to Microsoft, they can be very understanding in this situation. They

Agreed. I've always found them to be quite reasonable in many different
types of situations.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Hey Michael! How you doing?

Great, had my eye repaired last Friday and it was a major success.
Thanks for asking.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
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[kurttrail]

In

Great, had my eye repaired last Friday and it was a major success.
Thanks for asking.

I happy that all turn at well!

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[Matt]

Find some one with a generic OEM disk, make a copy of it, and use your
OEM Product Key to install Windows.

Tried that, the Generic OEM version will not accept the key on the side
of the PC.

 

[kurttrail]

Tried that, the Generic OEM version will not accept the key on the
side of the PC.

Are you using the same language? Are you typing the right letters?
Sometimes B's look like 8's?

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Peace!
Kurt
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[PA Bear]

You're SOL.

 

[Brian]

And how did I get a Compaq laptop not too long ago?

 

[plew]

Did ms also charge for the "support" phone call?
if so, how much?