[ctdgcrsntf]

Yes, actually I probably could since this is a Compaq and Windows XP computer anyways and it doesn't say the product key has to be from the computer you're having problems with.

[Advertisements]

Hope it goes well

Their only concern is that a product key is only used once

[Retired Tech]

Hope it goes well

Their only concern is that a product key is only used once

[ctdgcrsntf]

I can't believe it. If you have windows preinstalled on your computer, which I do, you have to pay $35 to email them for help, for 1 email. [You get 2 free emails which must have been already used] You can only contact the computer manufacturer free of charge!

Edited by ctdgcrsntf, 06 November 2006 - 05:14 PM.

[Retired Tech]

Don't see how they would know from the product key

http://support.microsoft.com/KB/326246

Don't mention OEM, you want a valid key for a valid XP CD

[ctdgcrsntf]

Is there no way to get past the Windows setup so I could get the product ID without being charged?
*Ok I found out that you can email microsoft general product questions so I asked them about the product key and getting a new one.

Edited by ctdgcrsntf, 06 November 2006 - 06:02 PM.

[ctdgcrsntf]

Still no word from microsoft. Is it possible to get a new xp cd and finish/reinstall windows with that or not or, can you use that one's product key for the other cd?

[ctdgcrsntf]

I talked to Microsoft and they said the product key I have [on the windows sticker] comes up as valid when they try it. Why would it work for them and not for me? They said there could be something wrong with the computer that would cause this and I should contact Compaq about it. Do you have any idea about what would cause this?

[Retired Tech]

Click this for a guide to using Memtest



Click this to download Memtest



Run it overnight if possible

[ctdgcrsntf]

What do I do, download it to a cd from my other computer then use it on the one I'm trying to reinstall windows on?

[Retired Tech]

Yes

Another thing to try is repairing with only the keyboard, mouse and monitor attached

Does it use onboard sound and graphics

[ctdgcrsntf]

What is onboard sound and graphics? Also, I already have only the
keyboard, mouse and monitor attached, already removed the printer. Do I remove the speakers, they're detachable? One other thing, a while back the computer said keyboard error, I don't know if that could be affecting the computer as I changed the keyboard. Never got to read the rest of the message as it went off too quickly.

[Retired Tech]

Where the sound and graphics are run directly from the motherboard, instead of having seperate cards for them

Leave the speakers

If you changed the keyboard after the error message, don't worry unless you see it during the repair

[ctdgcrsntf]

I really am not sure about the onboard sound and graphics. I'm guessing that's what I have, don't know about any separate cards.

[ctdgcrsntf]

Here's a link to the computer's information from Compaq if that helps.
http://h10025.www1.h...p;product=93174

[Retired Tech]

Onboard for both

If you had seperate ones you could have removed those to run the repair