Invalid to Valid

[Traestar]

I have an emergency question: I have a client who is trying to install Microsoft Office. The client cannot install the program because her version of Windows XP Pro is a counterfeit one. I told her the first time I looked at the computer that she is going to have to get a valid version of Windows now.

She has a HP Pavilion Laptop, and she is unsure if her laptop came with a disk.

Should I get the Windows XP Pro OEM edition or get the disk that originally came with the laptop (go to a product specific site)?

Do you guys have any other ideas of fixing this problem, I'm also thinking about backing up her computer.

And is it possible to reinstall over the invalid version?

 

[MHCG]

What does the COA say on the bottom of her laptop? It's probably XP Home and not Pro. If that is the case, any copy of XP Home OEM should work. You'll have to reinstall the OS however.

 

[Traestar]

What does the COA say on the bottom of her laptop? It's probably XP Home and not Pro. If that is the case, any copy of XP Home OEM should work. You'll have to reinstall the OS however.

I would have to check her computer again to see her COA.
I'm reading her info through a benchmark program (COSBI Open Source Mark)
and in OS Name, it says Microsoft XP

 

[MHCG]

Never used that program. Maybe check the HP website and look to see what software her laptop was originally shipped with.

 

[Traestar]

Do you use any benchmarking program?? What do you use??

I'm checking the website and I need to include her serial number in order to get a price.

 

[MrMille]

While the illegal OS was installed, there is a slim chance the recovery partition wasn't deleted. Have you checked to see if you can use the recovery partition?

 

[Traestar]

While the illegal OS was installed, there is a slim chance the recovery partition wasn't deleted. Have you checked to see if you can use the recovery partition?

I will have to go back to her house to see. Last time I didn't, but that may work for this situation.

 

[MrMille]

You need a HP OEM disk,
which you can get from HP,
or from a torrent.

 

[Traestar]

You need a HP OEM disk,
which you can get from HP,
or from a torrent.

I decided to see if it is on her computer
then at the same time order the HP disk for her to have!