PC not starting,any clues please??

Subject: Re: PC not starting,any clues please?? Fri Oct 09, 2009 5:46 pm

A XP Home disc and a XP Home serial number "may still not work" because as said previously, it all depends on the build version of each XP.

So,
As per Mike's comments above.
Plus, if you can do a "Image" of the existing HDD, then at least you will be able to recover the OS "IF" the serial number and your disc are not compatible which you will only find out when it is too late to do anything about it.

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Don't fix it.

Number of posts: 51 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Location: Oxford(UK)

Hmm.
Your going to have to go though all this with me.
Here's where I am.
I have a XP home SP1 disc with number.
It's not on any PC at the moment.
I have her PC with a sticker on the side saying XP home edition.
I can understand that the number on the side of her PC could be a factory install number so maybe not possible to use.
But surely I can install a new OP from my disc with a different number?

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Beer is for life not just Christmas.

Subject: Re: PC not starting,any clues please?? Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:26 pm

malvachat wrote:

Hmm.
But surely I can install a new OP from my disc with a different number?

In theory, yes.

But (trust me) in practise it does not always work that way.
(I have 8 copies of XP Pro, I have a genuine XP Pro serial number.
But the problem is the "Build number" also known as the "PID"

IE
If in 2005 Microsoft ~~created~~ manufactured a XP Home SP1 disc and called it build 55274 000.
If in 2006 Microsoft ~~created~~ manufactured a XP Home SP1 disc and called it build 55274 270.

Now because it has a different build number the install detects one is not compatible with the other so fails the install.
"Even though they are both labled XP Home SP1"

***********************
Just to try and show some of the different PIDs (albeit with XP Pro)
55274 000
55274 270
76487 000
76487 270
Believe you-me, there are lots more different numbers, but out of all the discs I have, not one of them is still compatible with my own genuine XP Pro serial number, although they are all XP Pro SP1 disc's.

_________________
If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.

Number of posts: 51 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Location: Oxford(UK)

I can see what your getting at.
The number I have does go with the disc I have.I know that because I have reformated with it on my old PC.
I can also see that the number on the side of her PC might not go with the disc.
I would try that first and then use my own number.
I might well put mine in anyway,then sell it with the PC as well.
That's is of course if she decides to sell.
I really can't see how it won't work.
This same disc used to be on my dads old PC till he give it to me.
I was on Windows me at first.

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Beer is for life not just Christmas.

Subject: Re: PC not starting,any clues please?? Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:47 pm

malvachat wrote:

1. The number I have does go with the disc I have.
I would try that first and then use my own number.

2. I might well put mine in anyway,then sell it with the PC as well.

3. This same disc used to be on my dads old PC till he give it to me.

1. Yes no problem, your disc, your SN.

2. What will you then do with "your" existing installed version on your PC?
"One Licence for ONE PC" or one or the other will get flagged by MS as a PIRATE COPY.

3. No problem because it's still only installed on one PC.

************

All we are trying to point out is that your disc with her SN might not work which I feel you now understand.
But still worth trying, especially if it's going to be sold.

If it does not work, just make sure you point out it has a genuine SN when selling it, but no disc.
There are ways around it, so let them figure it out.

_________________
If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.

Number of posts: 51 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Location: Oxford(UK)

Yeah,we're on the same wave length now
I'm on windows 7 myself now,well the RC,till the proper release.
So the XP disc I have,is not on anything.

Apart from all this.
Is there not a return to factory settings on pre installed PC's?
Not back on till tomorrow night now.
Sleep tight.

_________________

Beer is for life not just Christmas.

Subject: Re: PC not starting,any clues please?? Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:14 pm

Probably yes, if the PC is not supplied with any disc's.

If the option is not obvious, try taking a look in Disk Management to see if there is any hidden partitions, as that is where any restore files would be hidden.
If there is, then you would need to find the "Restore to factory" setting file short-cut, which initially is usually in the All Programs start menu. If not there then search through the User folder/s in My Computer/Explorer.

_________________
If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.

Number of posts: 51 Registration date: 2008-12-05 Location: Oxford(UK)

Thanks,I think that's what I'll look for first.
(she's wants to sell)
I might do it tomorrow more likely Monday.
I might just uninstall everything and defrag.
It's not like there anything on the disc that's sensitive to be recovered.
What time I have will be the decider.
Thanks for all the advice and thoughts.
Still learning all the time.

_________________

Beer is for life not just Christmas.

Subject: Re: PC not starting,any clues please?? Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:48 pm

malvachat wrote:

I might just uninstall everything and defrag.

TBH thats probably the best thing to do, plus she would be able to sell it easier because the buyer can see it does work, and get that little bit of extra cash for a working PC rather than one which has to be messed around with first.

_________________
If it ain't broke.
Don't fix it.