OK here's a new one for you

I was asked by a friend to fix his brother-inlaws Compaq computer.

So they drop off this thing to me and there is not one sticker attached to the PC. I mean EVERYTHING has been stripped off of it. So I call compaq with the little info I have and find out its a model # 5315KS, and still has remaining Compaq warranty on it.

Ok this is cool. Remember what I said about all the stickers removed? Well this included the WinXP home sticker as well.

Here is my question, Is there a way to contact Microsoft and get the number from them?

Just to be clear.... I'm not asking anyone here for a CD key. What I'm asking for is if anyone has ever had to do this with a PC and what results occured.

Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

 

Seems like Compaq could give that if it was factory installed.

But find and copy and backup the wpa.dbl file while you can.

Then if you have to reinstall after the reinstall replace the newly created one with the backup.

This will keep you from having to reregister.

The replacement of this file is better done in DOS if you have fat32 or in safe mode command prompt if NTFS.

Mike

 

Hello mflynn,

I have already asked compaq if they could help me. The tech said something about calling MS and talking to them.


I also forgot to mention the reason for the repair on the compaq was a harddrive failure. I attempted to replace the drive controller in the hopes it would fix the drive. It didn't work.

 

OK I understand about that then if the HD is dead.

But if it is under warranty, why will they not send you a new drive with all factory installed software?

Mike

 

The only thing Compaq will send me is a replacement harddrive. Its up to the user to install the factory restore CD's.

This is where my issue comes up. Once the factory restore is complete, is asks for the CD key.

So basically I'm F.U.B.A.R to put XP back on the system.


However I did install ME. My problem with this, is I can get is almost 100%, but there is hardly any support for this machine and ME. I cannot get the sound working, even tho ME says its happy. I couldn't get the video happy, so I replaced the video card. I could still replace the sound card, but this is a favor and I don't want to keep throwing parts at it.


This was supposed to be a simple weekend project and a quick favor. I have had this thing for over a month. Granted I'm not working on it everyday, because I was hoping the owner would cough up some cash to fix this thing right. He's too broke to get what I need.

Cost to date:

Harddrive $40
Video card $25
Time: About 12 hours of fighting with ME

Money back into my pocket = $0

Thats why I was hoping to find a way to get a legit XP number from MS or compaq. Hence my reason for posting.

 

You are up the creek unless ComPaq will give you the number.

Even though no labels does the owner not have it anywhere?

Check the original paperwork/invoice everything.

Mike

 

Been there....... done that....... got a T-shirt.


It took them a week just to find the factory cd's.

 

Blieve I would concentrate on ME!

Good luck!

offline till later this afternoon.

mike