Can I Install XP With Restore Disc(s)?

[DumNDuMMer]

I have 2 Machines I wish to install Windows XP on. One is a Compaq Presario 1700 from which I already deleted it's temporary OS and another machine I've recently received, a Gateway P4. Both machines have had their hard drives wiped clean although both have their XP Home Edition COA stickers and I was wondering if I would need to buy a full XP version for each or could a restore disc handle this?

[Thrax]

Both machines will need their respective restore discs to use the COA, but provided you have them, the OS can be restored.

[mtrox]

Both machines will need their respective restore discs to use the COA, but provided you have them, the OS can be restored.

Thrax I could swear I've done it with other restore disks, but they have to be for the identical version of XP.....like "XP Home SP1".

[DumNDuMMer]

Both machines will need their respective restore discs to use the COA, but provided you have them, the OS can be restored.
That's the thing, I do not have restore discs for either machine. I've been searching around everywhere to see if I could find some type of "universal boot disc?" and I think I just ended up getting my hopes up. With the Compaq Laptop. I used 3 Compaq QuickRestore discs that I got from my Compaq Desktop, which deleted the OS. For the Gateway computer, I don't know about this one. Only thing I could do here was completely erase the HD to get it to work to the point where I just need to load an OS. I had found an iso file from a site or 2 for some type of "Recovery CD" to help me load Windows XP Home Edition and it looked like it was going to work only that it actually didn't since it says EULA was missing.

[mtrox]

Here's what I know DumNDuMMer. I've used other restore disks but like I said, they have to be the identical version of XP...same service pack, blah, blah, blah. Then the CD Key on the side of the machine will work. It seems to me that all restore disks, regardless of the OEM logo on them, use the same alogarithm for the CD keys as long as they are the same version.

Any chance Gateway can get you a restore disk for that machine? Might just be a $10 problem.

[DumNDuMMer]

Here's what I know DumNDuMMer. I've used other restore disks but like I said, they have to be the identical version of XP...same service pack, blah, blah, blah. Then the CD Key on the side of the machine will work. It seems to me that all restore disks, regardless of the OEM logo on them, use the same alogarithm for the CD keys as long as they are the same version.

Any chance Gateway can get you a restore disk for that machine? Might just be a $10 problem.
It's more like "buy a new machine and we'll give you a restore or reinstall disc". Thanks for the suggestion although Gateway was of no help whatsoever. I was thinking of buying a XP Home Edition disc without SP1 or SP2 and maybe with that I would be able to install XP on both machines, but I don't know so I thought I would ask first. Only discs I have are as follows: (1) Compaq Recovery CD ; (3) Compaq QuickRestore CDs and (3) HP System Recovery CDs. Will any of these help?

[mtrox]

It's more like "buy a new machine and we'll give you a restore or reinstall disc". Thanks for the suggestion although Gateway was of no help whatsoever.

I can't think of a better reason not to buy a Gateway. Wait a minute...yes I can. They are the same company as eMachines. That's a great reason to avoid a Gateway!!

(1) Compaq Recovery CD ; (3) Compaq QuickRestore CDs and (3) HP System Recovery CDs. Will any of these help?

I don't know for sure. All I know is what I've done in the past. I did use a Compaq disk on a Dell and it worked with the sticker on the bottom of the Dell. I've used Dell disks on other machines that worked with the CD key on the sticker. But it has failed many times when the recovery disk I tried was the wrong version.

Just try them. You'll know as soon as you plug in the CD key.

[DumNDuMMer]

I can't think of a better reason not to buy a Gateway. Wait a minute...yes I can. They are the same company as eMachines. That's a great reason to avoid a Gateway!!



I don't know for sure. All I know is what I've done in the past. I did use a Compaq disk on a Dell and it worked with the sticker on the bottom of the Dell. I've used Dell disks on other machines that worked with the CD key on the sticker. But it has failed many times when the recovery disk I tried was the wrong version.

Just try them. You'll know as soon as you plug in the CD key.
I think I actually can get a hold of some eMachine discs (since I do need to anyhow). So um... will eMachine recovery/restore disc(s) work with Gateway? I'd love to kill 2 birds with one stone like this instead of actually killing 2 machines with the same disc.

[mtrox]

will eMachine recovery/restore disc(s) work with Gateway?

Again, it doesn't matter whose logo is on the recovery disk. It's the version of XP and whether the CD key on the side of case is a valid key for that version.

[GrayFox]

You need to track down a copy of xp home oem. (Not retail or upgrade)

Since you have a legitimate coa you can try using google (http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=xp+home+sp2+oem+torrent&btnG=Search&meta=) to find a compatable cd.

[DumNDuMMer]

You need to track down a copy of xp home oem. (Not retail or upgrade)

Since you have a legitimate coa you can try using google (http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=xp+home+sp2+oem+torrent&btnG=Search&meta=) to find a compatable cd.
I've learned my lesson with downloading (that's how I messed up the eMachine I've been trying to restore back to XP Home), although I was wondering if buying a new copy of XP Home Edition OEM would help? I mean, the machines in which I'm trying to install Windows have their XP COA but I don't think they came with SP1 (and I'm sure not SP2 either). I need to reinstall XP on about 3 machines, 1 Gateway, 1 eMachine, and 1 Compaq Laptop... If a OEM copy helps, then I will buy one, install XP on the machines I need to and then just resell the key on ebay or something.

[mtrox]

I've done it with other restore disks, but they have to be for the identical version of XP.....like "XP Home SP1".

I've used other restore disks but like I said, they have to be the identical version of XP...same service pack, blah, blah, blah.

Again, it doesn't matter whose logo is on the recovery disk. It's the version of XP and whether the CD key on the side of case is a valid key for that version.

One disk would work with 3 machines only if the CD key on the COA sticker was for the same version of XP as the one disk....kinda like I said a few times above... Then your scenario would work. I think it's highly unlikely that all three are the identicle version, and even less likely you are going to buy a new OEM disk that matches a 2002 version of XP.

But some new disks for the 3 machines and consider it a lesson learned.

[DumNDuMMer]

One disk would work with 3 machines only if the CD key on the COA sticker was for the same version of XP as the one disk....kinda like I said a few times above... Then your scenario would work. I think it's highly unlikely that all three are the identicle version, and even less likely you are going to buy a new OEM disk that matches a 2002 version of XP.

But some new disks for the 3 machines and consider it a lesson learned.
I was checking on ebay and they have some 2002 versions, full and upgrade and I'm looking for the full version and before I do start to get on your nerves with my repetitive questions, I have a last one... would an XP 2002 version work any of the 3 machines?