Reinstalling OS

[stevaphoto]

Hi all,

I have an old HP Pavillion a1120n that came installed with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (no disc available; and no recovery discs too).  I just recently wiped and reformated the hard drive clean because of some issues I was having with it.  Can I reinstall XP to it and use the same 25 digit product key on the COA on the case?  I suppose I would need to install an XP Home Edition with SP2, but please let me know if the reinstall would have to be XP product specific in order  to use the same product key.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

If your PC came with XP MCE then the product key on the COA sticker should also be for MCE.

So, you will need an XP Home product key to activate XP home on that PC.

If HP doesn't have recovery disks for your PC, you can get them from this 3rd party vendor for $27 + shipping.

Check with HP first as they would probably sell the recovery disk set for around $15.00

http://www.computersurgeons.com/productdetails.aspx?ID=2648

Paul

[stevaphoto]

Thanks, Paul.  So recovery discs would work on a clean, reformatted hard drive and will reinstall the OS and everything else?  Just want you to clarify please!

Steve

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Steve:

That is correct.

The recovery disks will restore the PC to it's "out of the box' condition as far as software is concerned.

The OS and software that you see listed on the product specs page is what should be installed after you run the recovery disks. It should also create a recovery partition.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00389434&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en...

Paul

[stevaphoto]

Thanks so much for the info, Paul. Hooray, I can get it back up and running!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome!

Please post back and let us know how the restoration went.

Best Regards,

Paul

[stevaphoto]

Hey Paul,

Not wanting to buy the recovery discs unless I have to, I thought I'd try a clean install from a Windows Home XP with SP2 (2002 Version) edition disc.  I thought it would be compatible to the original OS install and would accept the COA key on the computer case, but it didn't.   Woe is me! 

I think I'll call Microsoft tomorrow and see if they can provide me with a new key.  I'm determined not to spend $35.00 unless I have to!  It's the principle!

Steve

[stevaphoto]

Hey Paul,

Just thought I'd let you know that the recovery discs from computersurgeons.com did the trick.  Everything was reinstalled without a hitch, and the system is back up and running.  Again, thanks for your help. 

Now I wish there was a simple way to get rid of all the HP bloat ware that installed to the system.

Steve

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Steve.

I don't know of any easy way, just have to uninstall them one at a time.

If any Norton stuff came in that package, make sure you use the Norton uninstall tool...

https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?lg=english&ct=united+states&do...

Paul

[stevaphoto]

Thanks for the tip, Paul!