Windows XP HE Product ID problems

[Absolut]

OK.. Here is the problem I am having.

I am fairly smart when it comes to fixing computers, but this one has me really stumped. I am working on a manufactured Hewlett Packard computer that came with pretty much everything. Along with it also included a Windows XP Home Edition license (as the hologram sticker is pasted on the side). The computer was riddled with spyware, adware, and even a virus or two. I figured the best thing to do would be to reformated and reinstall.

I loaded my Windows XP Home Edition CD, changed the BIOS to boot from the CD and it loaded. I went through and removed the previous partition and created a new one in it's spot and formatted it using NTFS. From there it restarted and brought up the Windows installation screen. The next part is the one that has me baffled...

I copied the Product ID that is on the Microsoft label (yes, I'm positive that it's current and it is legitimate) and it tells me that it's an invalid key. Being that I had been working on the machine for quite some time I took a break and came back to it thinking I was just making a stupid mistake. I tried it a second, third, and 20th time and still no luck. I even had OTHER people try it with the same result.

So.. my question is... What can I do? Do I call Microsoft and ask them? The hard drive has already been reformatted (although, I'm sure I can dig through it if I need to absolutely find something on there). Do I need to call HP instead? Just wanted some of your guys' thoughts!

Thanks in advance!

[snowmonkey]

WOW ...well if you call Microsoft they will pass on to HP so you are better off calling HP first. Hp is OEM MFG of Microsoft so if there was a mistake that would be from them but again I highly doubt that, in either case if your system is under warranty then HP will help you out.

Q: didn't you HP system come with recovery CD ?

cheers

[Absolut]

Originally posted by snowmonkey
WOW ...well if you call Microsoft they will pass on to HP so you are better off calling HP first. Hp is OEM MFG of Microsoft so if there was a mistake that would be from them but again I highly doubt that, in either case if your system is under warranty then HP will help you out.

Q: didn't you HP system come with recovery CD ?

cheers

It's not my system, I am restoring it for a friend of mine. I asked him if he recieved a recovery CD and he said he didn't. I believe he purchased the system as an "Open Item" thing.. it was missing some stuff, etc.

I told him to call HP and see if they can send something out, but I figured I might be able to take care of it before they send a disk out. Might just have to wait for that disc before I can actually do anything. Oh well...

I think the problem is that the Product Key listed on the machine is for the OEM version of XP, and I am using my full license HE CD to install it. Perhaps why it's not accepting the key.