Well... not so much, more like, "I don't have OEM disks problem."

Bastet44's IBM Thinkpad (T30), took a crap. The drive, the original 40g, was just not doing it. So I replaced it.

The problem? I can't find the original OEM CDs anywhere.

Apparently, here machine camed preloaded with WinXP Pro - SCORE! I have a full copy of WinXP Pro! All I need to do is use my CD with her product code and life will be PERFECT!

No. Life is not perfect.

The laptop will not acknowledge this product code... Considering I needed an OS here, I went ahead and installed anyway. I am STILL unable to use the OEM product code.

Microsoft has been useless... sure, I can spend another $50 or so using their tech support, or contact IBM... but for some reason, I don't feel this should be all that complex to resolve.

Thoughts?

Any way to image the old disk onto the new one?

Many computers come with a restore CD and not a windows CD. Dell would actually charge an extra $10 at the time of purchase to get a windows CD, and I learned my lesson and paid for it the next time around. Sounds like there are 2 different versions of windows, that is decided at the time you buy the computer.

I think you're on your own, unless microsoft has some process for it. Not that they'd have any incentive to.

Andy, IF you could put the old drive back in and get it up and running, there is a little utility that will go out there and find the original product key. Once you have that, you should be able to punch in that KEY and it should go ahead and activate. Let me do a little looking to see what the name of the program is.

Andy, here is the utility I have used many times...and it's free.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

OK after re-reading your post, I think I may have misunderstood....you have the product key, it's not accepting the original key, using another XP-Pro disk to install....right?

Huummmmmm, XP -Pro should be XP-Pro no matter how it is installed. I'll have to do some checking.

teebee,

Now you got my problem.

I wish I could find the OEM disks... This machine came with them.

sending PM

Andy, what version of XP are you using to install? If you are using XP w/sp2 or sp3, then it probably won't recognize the key from the IBM or even the number I gave you. The computer is old enough that it probably has an original version of XP.....The numbers are different for those. If you can find an older version of XP to install it will probably take your number.

Do you need a WXP Pro disk? I have tow if you could wait a few days?
ps I have called Microsoft, 866 234 6020, and even though painful speaking to someone from India reading a script, they will reissue you a good number if you have a number not working.

oh, I see what you mean, teebee.

I am working with SP2.

Steve - I have CDs... the problem is I don't have the OEM CDs!!!

I will try what teebee has sent.

Thanks!!! I will know more tomorrow afternoon.

Andy, If the disks you have are SP2, my number probably won't work.

Actually, if you load a Full Copy version, and the product code on the license does not work you can call MS and use the automated system to validate your copy.

my copy is already installed... if it wasn't, I would have done that.

I guess I will be forced into ripping bastet's office to bits looking for the CDs! damnit.

PM sent

Thanks, Tom!

I will let you know.

At least the computer seems to be working just fine... no more BSOD!!!

Andy, did you get XP activated yet? Do you need a copy to go along with the number?