Installed second hard drive. vista will not boot.

[esecallum]

it is a intel celeron duo core compaq computer but has various HP software preinstalled on it .

no model number anywhere.seems run of the mill.bought from pc world.

home vista premium.

i have the activation key,product id and pid number now.

surely i could delete the existing vista which is virtually useless as even the simplest task takes forever and install vista home premium either from a friends cd or even download it but as i have paid for it already and using the existing vista activation key it should work ans i would be above board.

the recovery partition you say has drivers but surely vista cd come with generic drivers anyway.

A "box" bought from "PC World" that's a Compaq with no markings whatsoever - very odd!!! Does it actually SAY "Compaq on the Tower? If so there SHOULD be a Sticker on the Back telling the Specific Model and what's called a BOM-ID (Bill OF Material), along with a Serial Number. I have NEVER seen an HP/Compaq that didn't have this (and have 5 of them sitting here next to me)!!!

Now, as for the "Drivers", Vista was/is infamous for NOT having all of the drivers on the "Install CD" so don't bet on it!

There's no such thing as a ("useful") "activation key,product id and pid number". There exists one thing and one thing only - a Product Key (xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx) both the OEM "Internal" one and the one specifically on the COA (a sticker either ON THE PC or IN THE DVD SLEEVE). Anything else is BOGUS!

Finally, barring anything else INSIDE the Tower is a MotherBoard that WILL have a stamp on it saying exactly WHAT it is. These MoBos are OEM-specific and if that PC as as new as you claim (core 2 duo) then there MUST be some specific documentation on the HP website.

Again, anything else is BOGUS and you may have been HAD!

the model no is SR5601UK

I HAD ANOTHER LOOK AND IT SAYS COMPAQ.

it is indented into case.but has hp software in recovery partition and in c drive too.

a microsoft sticker with barcode at the side gives a product key which is different to the one i got from the vista hive using product key finder.

why is this?

why is it different?

which one would i use?

also i found inside the HP folder a driver collection which i copied onto the xp hard drive for safekeeping.

so this means that i can borrow a vista cd or download it then put in the the product key from the side of the case and i will be ok as i have the drivers also ?

ok?

also it will not be illegal since i bought the product.

am i correct?

[submix8c]

THANK YOU for FINALLY providing what has been request (I KNEW it was there somewhere)...

The COA key (on the box) will need to be Activated... Again, I'm not so sure that it will work with a "borrowed" - it's YOUR pc's OEM key. The one found with a Keyfinder is the OEM's INTERNAL key (re-read your threads so we don't repeat again). They are totally different. The INTERNAL key is for Compaq to use to "roll out" identical PC's for sale. The COA key is unique for EACH pc sold.

I'm doubting a "borrowed DVD" will work because the Version (your vista home BASIC/PREMIUM/which?) and Type (your Compaq OEM) must EXACTLY match or the key won't be accepted.

Now that we have a model number please hold off a while. We'll see what we can find. It all depends on HOW the recovery partition was made (there are various methods). It may or may not be possible to "recover".

Speaking of "recovering"... did you ever check in the Start Menu->Programs->(wherever) if there was a Compaq System Restore? (NOT a Vista, but a special Compaq one)? As I had said, IF it exists, THEN you MAY be able to use THAT!!!

Again, please reread this topic and the info provided.

edit

Read this PDF file. The instructions are there to Create Recovery Disks and how to Recover.

Also here are your specs and what is installed.

Get back with us after you have done so.

Edited May 19, 2011 by submix8c