Installing generic XP on OEM license

[Galileo Figaro]

I have this friend who uses an HP dx2000 computer.

The machine came with no installation media, but instead a hidden partition

containing the XP Home installation files. Unfortunately, my friend destroyed

this hidden partition in a fit of misguided geekness.

Now he stands with a computer litterally without any OS, but with a license

sticker containing the serial number for the XP Home Windows. The sticker

also has HP imprinted on it. It is not clear to me whether that HP implies a

OEM license or if it just indicates that the particular batch of licenses were

destined for HP instead of Dell or something else.

In order to help him, I need to know:

Does the license sticker make it legal for me to use my own installation media

on his computer? My media isn't HP specific, but generic. Also my CD isn't the

Home type, but instead Professional.

From what I've heard, the Professional and Home CDs are supposed to be

almost identical, with the difference that some features are turned off on the

Home version.

Is it possibly so that the serial number on his sticker will make the installation

program "realize" that it should install a Home version even though the CD is Pro?

Also, does the "HP" part on the sticker suggest a cut down version (OEM) of the

license or not? I don't intend to give him copies of my CD, since I'm a computer

professional and can't afford to disregard licensing laws.

If none of the above applies, what can he do? Besides from running Linux.

Would it be OK for him to simply copy someone else's generic XP Home CD or

does it have to be a HP specific XP CD? He does have a license on that sticker.

[techywiz2007]

Check the license sticker, see what OS you need, most likely it will be xp home or xp pro. it should say on the sticker.

Once you know what OS you need, you can try using someone else's disk, and just use your license, or you can purchase a disk from microsoft or other retail vendor.

Once you get the cd, boot from it, reformat the drive, (try NTFS) then install using your license from there.

(/your license indicating his license)

It shouldnt matter where you get the disk, as long as its the right version, however, you will need to install the drivers onto the computer manually if you use an OEM copy or a retail disk, which doesnt have the drivers slipstreamed into the disk iso.

Edited August 22, 2008 by techywiz2007

[JedMeister]

...Now he stands with a computer litterally without any OS, but with a license

sticker containing the serial number for the XP Home Windows. The sticker

also has HP imprinted on it. It is not clear to me whether that HP implies a

OEM license or if it just indicates that the particular batch of licenses were

destined for HP instead of Dell or something else.

I am not an authority on this but form my understanding it is sort of both. The licence is OEM but not quite the same as the OEM you or I would buy off the shelf, it implies a specific HP OEM licence.

Does the license sticker make it legal for me to use my own installation media

on his computer? My media isn't HP specific, but generic. Also my CD isn't the

Home type, but instead Professional.

No you can not use XP Pro to install XP Home. It will not work. Even XP Home Retail (ie Boxed) and XP Home OEM are different.

From what I've heard, the Professional and Home CDs are supposed to be

almost identical, with the difference that some features are turned off on the

Home version....

That is true but not as far as installation is concerned.

...If none of the above applies, what can he do? Besides from running Linux.

Would it be OK for him to simply copy someone else's generic XP Home CD or

does it have to be a HP specific XP CD? He does have a license on that sticker.

You could try installing using an OEM version of XP Home. Although I have heard that mostly this does not work as the number on the sticker is usually not an actual serial number, but an HP reference number (that references to a batch OEM serial used for that model of PC). If you are lucky and it does work, then as far as I know that would be legal! If it doesn't you are left with the options of trying to get an HP copy of OEM CD (still may not work) or an image of someone else's recovery partition (may work - the more similar the machines are the better chance of working), or try contacting HP and/or MS for other bright ideas! Or finally install Linux!

[edit] Sorry off topic - but I note with interest that HP Compaq dx2000 (EP657ES) runs Linux by default!

Edited August 23, 2008 by JedMeister

[techywiz2007]

[edit] Sorry off topic - but I note with interest that HP Compaq dx2000 (EP657ES) runs Linux by default!

Linux is actually very powerful now, I wouldnt be surprised if one of these days in the next few years, that there may be a much wider distribution of it.

Open source, now that's the way to go

[/offtopic]

Edited August 23, 2008 by techywiz2007

[Kelsenellenelvian]

OEM is OEM Retail is Retail and Volume license is Corp ed.

You can however call HP and for a small fee they usually send you replacement media for the PC. Like 10-25 bucks.

The key will work with nearly ANY OEM media BUT it will not activate!!! See thats a generic Install key...

Your best bet is Ebay, Amazon or HP themselves...

[submix8c]

Concur with K... Some files are different for some OEM's installation. If it was the "hidden partition" deal, he should have noticed that HP (and Compaq) allow for a "backup reinstallation set" via the Programs selection (burns the whole reinstall set). Only works with HP/Campaq (and others) since it's "tied" to a given PC.

Best bet is go to the vendor and bite the bullet on the "reinstall" set, as K stated. Otherwise, if you can find out which (can't say here) files are "different" you may be able to constuct an OEM disk for that paricular PC (not sure; always was wise enough to "burn the reinstall" first opportunity). Or, maybe an HP representative may be able to help.

DOH! If that partition hasn't been wiped/overwritten, you might get lucky enough to "retrieve" it (not sure how or with what tool if the MFT has been wiped; usually the Hidden Partition is FAT32, though, so that may help).