Windows installation problem

[Anonymous]

I know this isn't a Windows Windows problem but it does pertain to Windows
and I am hoping out of the goodness of all of your hearts you can assist me
with this.

Basically I'm repairing a friend's computer. It is an HP computer, it runs
Windows Media Center Edition. The exact model # is HP 864N.

The hard drive failed and I replaced it. Now when trying to reinstall
Windows using the system recovery CDs, it says that this is not the right
CDs. I've double, and even tripple checked to make sure that these are the
right CDs. I've even made my friend order a second set just in case the
first ones were not the right one.

Does anyone have any clue as to what might be causing this?

I've already formatted the drive NTFS and made it active.

What else needs to be done?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

HP Instant Support Professional Edition provides web-based support tools
that automate and speed the resolution of technical problems on HP products.
http://h41209.www4.hp.com/euserv/jsp/hpinstantsupport.jsp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Anonymous" wrote:

| I know this isn't a Windows Windows problem but it does pertain to Windows
| and I am hoping out of the goodness of all of your hearts you can assist me
| with this.
|
| Basically I'm repairing a friend's computer. It is an HP computer, it runs
| Windows Media Center Edition. The exact model # is HP 864N.
|
| The hard drive failed and I replaced it. Now when trying to reinstall
| Windows using the system recovery CDs, it says that this is not the right
| CDs. I've double, and even tripple checked to make sure that these are the
| right CDs. I've even made my friend order a second set just in case the
| first ones were not the right one.
|
| Does anyone have any clue as to what might be causing this?
|
| I've already formatted the drive NTFS and made it active.
|
| What else needs to be done?

 

[t.cruise]

To Add:

HP Recovery CDs are VERY finicky. If you've added certain hardware which was not included
in the original configuration, they will not work. A client had installed an internal
CDR/CD-RW drive, and the HP Recovery CD brought up error messages. I unplugged the flat
data cable for the CDR/CD-RW drive, and then the HP Recovery CD ran just fine. If added
hardware isn't the cause of the problem, as the previous poster suggested, get with HP
support. (Preferably one on one, by telephone) This should be a learning lesson to NEVER
purchase a system that doesn't come with an actual Windows XP CD. Even if it's an OEM
Windows XP CD, it's still better than System Recovery CDs, which in technical terms "suck
donkeys." HP has had much backlash about their System Recovery CDs. For that reason HP
has relaxed its policy about warranty tech support when it comes to problems with System
Recovery CDs. A few of my clients were out of their warranty periods, and HP still sent
them newer versions of System Recovery CDs. It still might depend on whom you talk to,
and how you talk to them. Be nice, and don't resort to anger. If you find that you
aren't getting anywhere, nicely ask to speak with a supervisor.
--

T.C.
t__cruise@[NoSpam]hotmail.com
Remove [NoSpam] to reply

In memory of my mentor Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Al Smith]

I know this isn't a Windows Windows problem but it does pertain to Windows

and I am hoping out of the goodness of all of your hearts you can assist me
with this.

Basically I'm repairing a friend's computer. It is an HP computer, it runs
Windows Media Center Edition. The exact model # is HP 864N.

The hard drive failed and I replaced it. Now when trying to reinstall
Windows using the system recovery CDs, it says that this is not the right
CDs. I've double, and even tripple checked to make sure that these are the
right CDs. I've even made my friend order a second set just in case the
first ones were not the right one.

Does anyone have any clue as to what might be causing this?

Different size and make of harddrive? Maybe the brain dead HP
recovery software thinks you're trying to install on a different
computer. If so, not much you can do about it, other then get a
real Windows XP CD and install from that.

 

[Nocturnal]

The problem now is that I am even having trouble installing it with a
regular Windows CD.

The thing I found on the MS website is it's probably a BIOS issue with the
size of the hard drive. The original hard drive is the same as the
replacement hard drive; however, I believe there were two partitions making
the drive a little smaller in size. The original drive was a 160GB and the
replacement is the same size. I think the replacement was like partitioned
to 130GB and the remaining was giving to the recovery partition. I'm going
to try that today and see if that works.

 

[Anonymous]

In the end I need to send the motherboard back to HP to have them tattoo it.