Re: Upgrading from ME to XP Home on a new hard drive, original died.

OMD wrote:
My daughter's COMPAQ Presario 5010US had it's hard drive die on her. She has a RECOVERY CD that came with the pc. The pc was running Windows ME. I also have a COA number that include OEM as part of the key. There is also a Windows ME key on a sticker inside the computer that is different then the other COA number. Do I need these numbers as part of the activation? If so, which one?

I have installed a "newer" Seagate 40 GB hard drive without an operationg system on it and would like to upgrade to Windows XP Home edition. I have read many of the posts about using the WINDOWS XP Home Edition Upgrade version from our local retail store. Does this software come with a valid key that I can use to activate the product after I upgrade? Is this RECOVERY CD the same as a good OS for the upgrade?

Can I use the WINDOWS 98 SE CD that I have for my older pc as proof of a viable OS? I am not sure of the product key for it though.

I have sent HP/COMPAQ an inquiry to this as well. I know there are a lot of questions posted here. Any help on these would be appreciated. Thank you.

Retail OS upgrades come with their own key for use during instalation. Qualifying OS's product key / COA number not required for the upgrade itself.

Retail Upgrade installations require the presense of a qualifying earlier OS instalation on the computer OR insertion of the instalation media for the qualifying earlier OS. Recognition of OEM media for OS upgrades may vary. Major manufacturer's CD sets that restore the computer to its delevery state, erasing any user files and post delivery software instalations, aren't likely to be recognized as qualifying earlier OS instalation media. The source of the OEM OS should be able to advise you on this capability.

You might not be able to install applications that came with the computer after a clean instalation of a newer OS. Clean instalations of the newer OS are often regarded as more reliable.
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Relevant Pages

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