Activation code OEM query

[capa]

I have inherited my uncles Compaq Presario 2190US Notebook PC. The laptop was super duper slow and clogged up with a lot of junk programmes. I decided to wipe it clean however I do not have the restore CD and there was no restore partition on the hard drive.

The Windows XP Home Edition activation Serial number is on the base of the laptop and I cannot afford to buy a new copy of windows. I assume this is what OEM mean?

I downloaded a copy of Windows XP Home Edition OEM Service Pack 2 and attempted to activate it with the product code but it wouldn't take.

I assume it's because the laptop possibly came with a different Service Pack install although I can't be entirely sure.

Can anyone advise me how I can get the serial key to activate?

 

[WyomingKnott]

Contact Microsoft activation support and see if they will accept this as a legitimate install.

Contact the current owner of the brand name (HP) and see if they can provide restore discs.


Good luck.

 

[capa]

My uncle cannot place the discs what so ever and is poorly.

I was hoping for an alternative such as a way to find out which Service pack the laptop and serial originally linked to. Download a copy and just install it..

If that's even possible.

 

[WyomingKnott]

You will really have to contact Microsoft activation support. If you re-install the same version of Windows on an OEM licensed machine they may be happy to provide what you need, since you are entitled to a license. At least, I hope so.

 

[capa]

OK. I shall give them a call.

I thought if the laptop came with say Windows XP Home Edition OEM Service Pack 1 for example I could simply install the exact same copy of Windows as above and the serial would work as the hardware of the laptop remain unchanged from date of purchase.

 

[WyomingKnott]

That is exactly what I thought, too. You should even be able to install a later SP version, or an earlier one. I am confoozled.

 

[capa]

I've only tried service pack 2. I'll try once again with a service pack 3 version, failing that I'll give them Microsoft a call.

 

[capa]

Thanks for your help btw.