Can't activate Windows xp

I'm having a lot of trouble with an old laptop computer. The most serious seems to be that I can't activate Microsoft windows. This is an old HP Presario 900 that I dragged out of the spare bedroom, and tried to reinstall windows on it, but because I couldn't find the original HP disc, I used one from a more recent DELL computer and only after, realised that this would mean I could not get upgrades. So I searched around and found the original HP software and loaded that on top. But I still could not activate it so I tried to delete the first Dell Windows program, and reinstall the HP Windows, but it still wont take the product key number (says there is a typo, but I have checked and there isn't) and i don't really know which Microsoft windows version I have now or how to fix this problem.

also the screen looks like it is reloading every second or so, rather that scrolling up or down (its really jerky) and the right cursor key doesn't work, and sometimes it seems like there is a sticky key under the touch pad.

Is it even worth trying to fix it, or should I just throw it away?

 

When you reinstalled the HP disc, did you reformat the drive?

 

1) What version of Windows does the COA (decal on the bottom of the laptop) show?
2) Are you positive that you're using the original HP/Compaq OS disc that shipped with the system?

One of the two doesn't match and that's your problem.

 

The OS is Windows XP home and I'm sure its the right one, because the OS for the Dell is XP Professional.

The other thing is I didn't reformat the drive. I don't know how to. Are there any instructions somewhere and could I do that again and start over?

 

check out this link.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=25831 <-- Formatting Your PC


another alternative for wiping your h/d clean. there are alot of other programs, but this is fairly easy.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Dariks_Boot_and_Nuke_d4596.html <-- Darik's Boot and Nuke 2007-04-29 Beta

 

I finally wiped my computer using the Boot 'n Nuke program, and I tried to load my old Windows (HP) program, but I can't.

I thought if I booted the machine up with the Windows disc in, it would start automatically, but all I get is Operation System not found, no matter what key I hit.

Any ideas now what I should do?

 

You have to make sure the CD is the first boot device in the BIOS. Press F1 or F2 or Del or whatever it is to get into the BIOS (also known as Setup) and make sure the CD drive is the first boot device. It should then start the setup of Windows. If not, the CD is not an operating system installation CD. What exactly does it say on this HP disc?

 

Just to update....I did some reading and I think I needed to load a recovery disc.

I can't find one for the HP, but I loaded the one I had for the Fujitsu because I thought it was Windows XP Home find it is XP Prof AND I also thought the recovery disc would just load the basic drivers etc and I would upgrade it with the HP Windows XP Home disc.

The Fujitsu Recovery disc is for Windows XP Prof.....but I don't have that proof of purchase no. sticker stuck to the bottom of the machine - (The school did a bulk purchase and load). and the Compaq Presario that I only have the Windows Disc for (and the proof of purchase sticker) is for Windows XP Home...so I don't think its going to work and I'm going to have the same problem.....not being able to load older version of XP Home overtop of new version of Prof XP.

I do have 2 Windows 98 discs but they also don't seem to have the no.s on them.

Any ideas?