Finding windows version based on product key, or laptop s/n

I'm fixing a friends computer for them... Apparently a friend of this friend dropped the laptop and now the hard drive is not working. I believe they said that it made noise now, and Best Buy said that it needed a new hd. I ran the built in diagnostics and it said replace hard drive before the test even reached 1%. I'm assuming that it's actually damaged and nothing like a check disk will be able to fix this problem.

ANYWAY, if I get a new hard drive I'll need to install the OS and drivers. To install the OS I'll need to find a disk (friend doesn't recall ever getting one, so I'm assuming it was a case in which you were supposed to make your own if you wanted one), and to find a disk I need to know what version of Windows the key is for. The key on the sticker is still legible but the version info is worn off. I tried to find a way to search based on s/n on HP's website to see if it listed the os in the specs but found none. So I guess I'm wondering how I find out what version of Windows this key is for. Any ideas?

 

ok, so are trying to find out what version of windows he has?

to find out what version go to Start, right click my computer, go to properties.

or for more detail download "Belarc Advisor" it will tell you what version, updates and what the key is.

Hope this helps Sdawg

 

@sdawg27: he cannot boot the computer because the hard drive is shot.

EDIT: didnt read the post all the way. nevermind. try calling hp, or google the product key

and sdawg27 are you stealing my name? lol

 

haha, nope this has been my gamer tag for the last couple years i saw you the day i made the account.