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    Recover original Windows license?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by MrCrispy, Sep 15, 2010.

  1. MrCrispy

    MrCrispy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have an HP laptop that originally came with XP Media center (with free Vista upgrade I think). I installed Vista and now Win7 Ultimate which I get through work.

    I now want to sell it. I don't have the original partition saved. I know its probably not possible, but is there any way to recover the original key so I can do a fresh install of the old OS before selling?
     
  2. nikeseven

    nikeseven Notebook Deity

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    You could do it via restore discs if you have them, or if you still have the vista license sticker on the bottom of your laptop.
     
  3. deeastman

    deeastman Notebook Deity

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    The COA key on the bottom of your laptop will be for XP Media Center. In order to re-install that OS you will need either an XP Media Center OS CD and do a phone activation with the SN on the COA or the Restore Discs (hopefully you made for your laptop) which will install the original OEM OS.

    Alternately you may still be able to purchase Restore Discs from HP for your laptop.