No Windows XP CD with my laptop???

[stevengzn]

Hi all,
I hope im not duplicating a post.

I have an HP Compaq Laptop. It came with Vista, but i asked for it to be downgraded (or possibly upgraded, depending on your opinion ) to XP Pro.

I have had it for about 18 months, its a bit cluttered with a few applications that have collected over the years, so i am wanting to format and "start again"

How come an installation CD was not included??
How would i re-install without a CD?

I have an old copy of XP Home lying around that was on my old desktop PC which has since crashed.
Would i be able to load this copy of windows onto my formatted laptop?

Many thanks in advance

 

[froot]

You should have HP recovery software installed on your pc. Grab a few dvds and go to Start-Programs-HP recovery, then look for create recovery dvd.
This is for Vista.
It should however, have come with an XP downgrade cd. It works exactly like a normal install.
No, XP Home won't work, as the serial key is different to that of a XP Pro serial key. The serial key would be either on the bottom of your laptop, or be enclosed with the CD... which you say you don't have.
XP home will work if you have a serial key (a legal one) but don't do this if it is already in use.

 

[stevengzn]

Hi Froot,
Thanks for the reply.
I have since found a HP branded disk, that says "Operating System CD" on it. (Sorry, i was looking for a "microsoft" disk)
When i insert this disk it pops up as an XP installation CD, and only has the option for a "New Install"

Bearing in mind that the machine came with VISTA and the sticker on the machine has a vista serial key.
Would this CD that came with my machine be a downgrade CD?
The CD has no serial key or anything on it??

I do not have the HP recovery software on my machine strangely?

Im now wondering what would happen if i had to just re-install from the XP disk?

 

[3Com]

The disk will probably have XP for main install and then do a upgrade to vista. Some Laptops come with 98, and then it upgrades to XP. Go the HP Forum and have a look there.

 

[LazyLion]

upgrade to Windows 7. You won't be sorry.

 

[PeterCH]

upgrade to Windows 7. You won't be sorry.

Yep, I heard Windows 7 types for you using telepathic communication, has magical multitouch which benefits non-touch screens and prevents gorilla-arm and boosts performance 5000% so that you'll be set for the next 10 years.

Slashdot has a write up of how MS is introducing a new form of Win 7 WGA which phones home every 90 days and if your Windows matches a list of fakes, is automatically disabled.

 

[mcryan]

I bought a Sony Vaio about a year and a half ago and it also didn't come with the OS disk and any recovery software. Was really p*ed off about it, but I made do anyway.

 

[Nod]

My windows key was located under my battery. Got both a recovery and installation (Dell specific) disk with.

 

[ben dover]

Yep, I heard Windows 7 types for you using telepathic communication, has magical multitouch which benefits non-touch screens and prevents gorilla-arm and boosts performance 5000% so that you'll be set for the next 10 years.

Slashdot has a write up of how MS is introducing a new form of Win 7 WGA which phones home every 90 days and if your Windows matches a list of fakes, is automatically disabled.

Sheesh, do i hear the bantering of a Linux fanboi here? When have you ever heard of a WGA that was FOOL-PROOF?