computergeek3000 wrote:
> I have a pc and i wan to reinstall windows on it.
> I brought a hp pavillion but a couple of months ago i upgraded the
> motherboard.
> Now i need to reinstall windows. Would the recovery disk work?
>
A better place to ask, might be microsoft.public.windowsxp.general ,
because you might find someone who deals with the various versions,
and what works and doesn't work.
Before you panic, if the system is still running, use this.
http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
This will extract the key used by HP at the factory. An article
I just found (actually a comment in the comments section of the article),
mentions that sometimes the key actually installed on the computer, is not
the same as the COA sticker on the outside of the machine. So before
you wipe anything, attempt to retrieve the key in the current install.
See the posting "07-14-2008, 5:00 PM daculp" for comments.
http://discuss.pcmag.com/forums/1004.../ShowPost.aspx
This article discusses the many versions, but doesn't exactly give a
recipe for dealing with your problem. The question I'd want to
ask, would be whether the key on your computer, can be used
with some other WinXP installer CD or not. If the thing that came
with your computer is just a recovery image, then it may only be
prepared to reinstall itself when it detects the original type
of motherboard.
http://www.infocellar.com/winxp/oem-recover-retail.htm
When you look at the WinXP installer CD and the COA (key), the
thing of value is the key, and not the media. If you can borrow the
CD from someone, you may be able to build your own CD (burn a copy
after editing some files), or if you're lucky, the existing key will
work with the CD. Dealing with Activation, would be a separate issue.
I don't know how Microsoft phone support, deals with a computer
where the motherboard has been replaced with a non-exact
replacement.
HTH,
Paul
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