Reinstalling a Compaq

I am helping a friend reinstall her Compaq desktop. Sorry, I do not know the model number, but it is a version that came with the "Restore CD" and HD partition. I do not believe it came with a true OS CD.

If i wanted to install XP onto a new HD (actually, the same HD, but with the partitions destroyed), could I use a generic OEM XP CD with the Compaq CD Key number on the sticker on the case?

Also, she was not sure if she had the MS Works CD's, but it was preinstalled on the machine. She would like it reinstalled as well. Shouldn't she have these CD's or could they get by just including it on the restore partition as well?

If she REALLY wants Works, and she does not have the CD's, then I guess I will use the restore partition.

PK

 

I use an OEM CD for my Compaq instead of the restore disc because I don't like to spend the time it takes to get rid of the "free" trial software on it. MS may have altered the licensing and validation procedure to prevent it on newer PCs(Oct 2005 +). I vaguely remember reading something about this, but don't quote me . It can't hurt to try.

 

It will hurt if I blow the restore partition and the CD does not work...

pk

 

Yes. I have a 'generic' XP disc that I use to install on many different brands. As long as I use the product key stuck on the case, it's all good.
As for MSWorks.... chances are, she doesn't have the CD if it was on the from day one. It is probably part of the recovery partition or the restore CD. Keep in mind that if you re-install using the recovery partition or CD's, you'll have all the added 'bonus' software (should read "bogus software" ) that is usually bundled with recovery software....

 

Just curious. Did this OEM XP CD come from Compaq or from an independent vendor? I have a Compaq Notebook PC and I'd sure like to have an XP CD, as opposed to the Recovery partition/DVD that came with the computer.

 

Kind of off topic here; but a friend of mine has an HP with XP MCE installed and he needed to start from scratch and had no CD's... only the recovery partition. He contacted HP via the web, typed in his PC serial number, name and address, and they sent him a set of CD's for just the cost of shipping plus $5 (or something) per CD. The total was under $40. Anyway, he ended up with a driver CD and an OS CD and an applications CD. The discs could only be used on an HP, but the OS disc was 'clean', meaning no bloatware and BS trial programs that you'd just remove anyway. These were all on the applications disc, and installing the lame-o trials was totally optional... just an interesting side note...

 

Compaq support stated that the OEM CD would not work as the key on the sticker on the side of the PC would work only with the Restore CD. Though, I did the restore today and at no point did it even ask for the key.

Anyway, there really wasn't as much crapware as I thought there would be. I was pleasantly surprised.

OK, new question about this system. Right now it only has 256 MB of RAM (PC133). It can only support 512 MB and has just two RAM slots. I have several 128 MB sticks of RAM laying around, but it is all PC100. I know that these are fairly interchangable, but won't adding the PC100 clock the PC133 down to 100 also? I would think there would still be a benefit in adding 128 MB of RAM.

I have PCWizard installed, so I can tell you whatever you need to know about the mobo and chipset.

I don't want to mess up her system, though she is considering an upgrade to new system for Christmas. This one would become a hand me down to her son.

PK

 

Yes on both points.... The PC133 will get clocked down to PC100, and adding an additional 128mb will definitely help.

 

OK, thats what I thought.

Compaq tech support says that it should work, but recommends installing RAM of the same speed.

Crucial says pretty much the same thing - that it should work, but it is not a guarantee.

PK