Prosignia 165 Restore Disk

This is kind of an off-the-wall question, but I'm hoping someone here, familiar with older Compaq laptops can enlighten me.

I have a restore disk for a Prosignia 165 running Win98SE that, when I boot my laptop with it in the CD-ROM drive, brings up a screen with the following statement:

"Enter Compaq Computer Product Serial Number "

I have never before had to use this disk. My question is: what and where is the required serial number?

As the machine is out of warranty, customer support is of little help, but did say the serial number in question is on the Microsoft OS license (which was my assumption). The tech guy seemed to be describing not the Product Key but rather the 9-digit string between the two asterisks at the bottom of the license.

I have tried all the numbers on the OS license: Product Key (too long to fit in the available text field) AND the 9-digit string between the two asterisks (fits, but doesn't work). I had also previously tried what I have always understood was the serial number of the laptop on the back edge of the machine, as well as a number on the bottom of the laptop. ALL numbers produce the same error message--Invalid serial number.

Assuming that the disk is not defective, (always a possibility of course) I am hoping that someone on this list can still advise me about the right number with the Restore Disk--or direct me to someone or web site that can.

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

Hi tvjohns,

Only a little info. Found this in the HP (Compaq) forums:

It was for a different model, but maybe worth a try. There were references to the serial number being listed in the BIOS settings.

How to find the serial number: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&product=212728&lc=en&dest_page=product&cc=us

Even though it is out of warranty, you can still register the product. This may entitle you to extra information. Email their Support, but don't get drawn in when they start asking for $s.

Compaq forum:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/categoryhome.do?categoryId=274

Matt