OEM Serial Key

So I'm trying to reformat my newly arrived dv2000, and windows won't accept my new serial key! I didn't burn the backup discs, since there were 15(!) of them- i just figured i could use another windows install disc i had laying around. And now it won't work.... am I going to have to shell out another $10 to hp to get them to send me a disc that I already have?!

 

So why don't you use the key from the Windows install disc you already have?

 

Thanks for the reply...two reasons, really

A) because I paid good money for this one; and

B) because the original key is...significantly less legal than the new one is.

Please, no lectures on the importance of legal software, the evils of pirating, etc etc.... that's why i paid for the new one. Now I just want it to work!

 

Make sure the serial key is for the correct version of Windows. Usually I think it should work.

 

You need OEM version of Windows. Hp's OEM disks are usually black, just to have a visual idea. The OEM key will not work on a nonOEM version of Windows.
If you still haven't formated, I suggest you burn the 4 dvds. I don't know under what form are the files in this recovery partition but you can try to identify the Windows installation and run it from there.

 

That's what I was afraid of....

Looks like HP is about to get some more of my hard earned $$$.



Thanks for the responses.

 

Wait, I was in this similar situation. What you need to do is modify the SETUPP.INI file located in the i386 directory of your Retail/Non OEM XP CD.

Click Here for Instructions

 

Yea it is really stupid how they force us to burn out cds. I won't mind if it were 2 or 3 cdr, but 15cdr or 4 dvds! That is just ridiculous! I don't want all those stupid bloatwares.

 

Thanks DV6000T, that looks like exactly what I needed. Luckily, I was able to get a CD today from work that *should* work. If not, I'll be trying out your instructions. I've decided in the meantime to load up Vista Beta for fun anyhow, and see how that runs.

azntiger1000- i think it's crazy! I decided not to put a dvd burner into my laptop, since I have one on my desktop and only use it for burning occasional linux ISOs, etc... it took about 2hours before I regreted not getting the DVD burner upgrade!

 

Either call windows and click activate by phone, just explain to them what happend. ( I have done this they are very nice about it) Or, call HP and ask for a new serial. (not sure how that will go over but its worth a try)

 

If it doesn't work, post me a message.
Since you have the OEM serial #, I might
be convinced to give you an image of the
WinXP Home sp2 edition installation CD I
have. Not sure it'll work with your serial#
(never had to use it, never opened it ^_^)
but it might be worth a try. Again, I'm not
too sure about the legality of it, but I'm
even less sure about the ILlegality of it since
you have (or rather, I assume you have)
a properly obtained serial # (and hence,
according to my convoluted and entirely
illogical logic, a properly obtained license).

Long story short: if the solutions posted above
don't work, ask me for the OEM installation CD.
If that also fails, don't blame me .

 

you are a kind man.

 

Indeed, you are a kind man Luckily, I was able to get it working with the OEM cd i obtained from work. I still ended up having to slipstream the SATA drivers before i got everything to work properly, though.

Thanks everyone for the advice... case closed.