Older Compaq Presario (4540) won't restore!

[Greg Bell]

I have an older Compaq Presario 4540 that I'm trying to help a friend prepare to donate to charity.  I've wiped the hard drive to make sure no personal information remains, and I have the original restore CD to put the OS and original software load on the machine.  When the restore process begins (I boot from the CD), it asks for the Serial Number of the computer.  I've typed the darn thing in a dozen times, but the Restore program always says that it's not a valid s/n (I don't recall the exact wording of the error, I can get it if it will help).

I've made sure that the s/n from the back of the machine and the side of the machine are in agreement (and that I'm typing it in correctly), and that seems to be the only twelve-digit code anywhere on the box.  The Restore CD is the one included with the machine originally, it even has Presario 4500 pre-printed on the CD.  I even had to remove the CD from its original, sealed envelope, so I don't even think it couls be scratched!

HELP!!

[old_geekster]

Greg, see if the info in this link helps:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00004461&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=92801

If you look at the section titled "Checking the labels on the case", you will see the s/n at the bottom of the sticker also showing the model number.  It also shows other possible locations for the model number, which will no doubt lead you to the s/n.  If you have already found these locations, I can't think of anything else for you to try.

Good luck!