Averatec 3260 - need help to install XP Home

Hi all,

Over time, the Windows XP Home edition COA on the bottom of my Averatec 3260 laptop has worn off to the point where the product key is no longer there! At one point, someone installed a non-OEM copy of Windows on here.

I no longer have the factory install CD which means that in order to reinstall XP Home, I would practically have to shell out and buy another copy even though technically I already own the OEM copy for this laptop.

So here is how ANYONE that owns an Averatec laptop can help me:

1. Make an ISO of the XP Home factory restore disk and get it to me somehow (email me and we can work some method of transfer out integris at gmail.com)

2. Even easier and much less time consuming: on an Averatec laptop with XP Home installed from the factory disc, go into c:\windows and do a search for OEMBIOS.* (including hidden directories). There should be 4 files found: a .dat, .sig, .cat and .bin . ZIP the 4 files and email them to me (integris at gmail.com). I would also need the OEM XP key used by Averatec to pre-activate XP Home, so use a key finder on the laptop (Magic Jellybean - KeyFinder | Magical Jelly Bean) and please copy/paste the key it finds to me at: integris at gmail.com. Note that the key found will NOT be the same as the one on the bottom of the laptop. This is how it is supposed to be! It is a generic key used on ALL Averatec laptops for the factory installed OEM XP Home. Using this key and the above 4 mentioned files, I can make my own Averatec OEM factory-install XP Home CD.

Note that NEITHER of these methods are illegal as I do already own the copy of XP Home that came with the laptop.

If anyone could please help me, it would be much appreciated!! Thank you so much in advance!!

 

I don't have your model. However, assuming you still have the OS on your laptop, here is an easy way to retrieve your product key:
ProduKey v1.52 Review

 

Hi!

Like I mentioned, the original Windows is no longer installed and I would like to get it back to a legit installation.

Technically speaking, if you have XP Home installed from the factory CD, regardless of the model of Averatec laptop, the 4 files above and product key should be the same for all Averatec-branded laptops.

Each manufacturer has one set of OEMBIOS files and one product key that are included on the factory install CD to pre-activate Windows. You can also copy the 4 files in their compressed format from the CD and send them to me and that would also work.

Most of these files and keys are available on the net. One manufacturer's files+key will not work (will not activate) on another's hardware.

I tried the ones for "TriGem"-built laptops but they didn't work.

There is more information on this process here (this is where I got the TriGem files):

The Windows XP OEMBIOS Archive

I just need someone with their original XP Home installed on their Averatec-branded laptop to help me out by sending me a copy of their 4 OEMBIOS files and the Averatec OEM product key (not the one on the bottom of the laptop!)

 

nestone: I saw in another post that you have the restore CD for the 3250. I think that is exactly what I need. I have a 3260 but I am sure it will work.

Do you think you can somehow make an ISO from it and upload it to me?

I can provide an FTP site. Please email me: integris at gmail.com

Thanks a million! Your help would really be appreciated!