Question about Installing XP with an OEM disk and using the HP CoA Number

[Marvin123]

Hi,

I have a DC5100SFF, that I bought refurbished last year, and it didn't come with any disks. It came preloaded with windows XP pro and has the CoA sticker with the activation code on it.  It also has 'HP' written on it.

I was thinking of wiping the hard drive and reinstalling  XP Pro sometime in the near future.  I have a an OEM Windows XP Pro disk but it is not specific to HP. The CoA sticker was removed from the new disk (and the package is unopened), but there is nothing on the package to indicate which brand of OEM (Its likely it was another popular vendor).

My question is, if I install XP from that disk, it on my machine can I use the number on the CoA to activate it, or do I need to use a specific HP XP Pro disc?

Thanks,

[DavidPK]

Hi,

As HP OEM activation is related to a 'tattoo' on the bios chip, the Recovery Discs needed are quite specific and another set will not work.

HP do not stock Recovery Discs for machine built before 2006, but a reliable source ( and the discs oyu require appear to be in stock ) can be found on the link below.  Using these should not even require you to enter your COA.

http://www.computersurgeons.com/SearchProducts.aspx?sbt=+513n+&bkm=Results#Results

Regards,

DP-K

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

David is correct. You don't need the product key if you use the recovery disks.

However, I believe you can still get recovery disks for your Business desktop PC from HP.

Just call  1-800-334-5144, and inform the customer services rep that you need a set of quick restore CD's.

You will need to provide the model number and serial number.

Cost for a set is $10.00.

As for your other question...if someone hasn't already used the XP pro product key on the sticker on your PC, you can use any OEM installation XP Pro disk and enter the product key.

I do it all the time. I have used Dell OEM disks on HP PC's. Never had a problem.

Paul

[Marvin123]

Thanks to both of you for your quick responses. Its nice to know the restore CDs are still available.

Paul, you answered my question.

Part of the deal for the refurbished machine was XP Pro and the CoA, so I'm confident that that the product key on the machine was used to active XP on this machine.  I was just concerned about needing an HP flavour of XP, because of the 'HP' on the product key label.

I don't see any software or options in the 'Start menu -> All Programs' that would be HP specific, so I guessing the reseller must have used a regular OEM disk.

Thanks Again,

M.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

Paul