Installing Windows Xp can anyone help please

shazamaca

I bought my laptop a few years ago and it came installed with windows XP home edition. there was no system restore disc in the box but I have managed to get my hands on one.

The install starts and it then prompts me to put in my 25 digit code which I have on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop but it says its not valid can anyone help me as to why it wont accept the code as I cant get the laptop back up and running.

Any help much appreciated. Thank you

DatabaseError

the code you have is for another version of windows XP, probably home or OEM, and the disk may be media centre or professional

shazamaca

hi thanks for that. I am sure it is a XP home edition disc but is there anyway I can check this out somewhere on the disc?

zenmaster

I have just installed XP Home on a desktop and it did not ask for a key.

totalsolutions

There is normally a "create windows install disc" in the list of programs on the laptop. Else the key has been mistyped or wrong version....This disc must be marked as to what version it is??

spud17

Don't know if it's relevant in this case, but I had problems with a friends HP desktop.
They had purchased some HP recovery disks years ago, used them, and these were somehow locked to the BIOS after initial use.
Even though I used the correct version of XP and had extracted the Key prior to re-formatting, it would not activate, even through the automated MS help system.
When I spoke to MS and mentioned HP, they referred me back to the manufacturer.

[QUOTEI have just installed XP Home on a desktop and it did not ask for a key. ][/quote]

Re the HP mentioned above, when I used the HP recovery disks for that specific (i.e.to the actual serial number) PC , there was no key prompt and automatic activation.
Perhaps you have something similar?