What version of windows is it?

[stevenamills]

This shouldn't be that tough, but it's always trial and error with me.

When I have a nonworking system, it's always trial and error trying to find the right version of windows for a repair install. (OEM, Retail, Upgrade, SP).

Is there a better way?

Steve

 

[MHCG]

If it's a big brand (Dell, HP, Gateway) it is almost certainly OEM. If you're not certain, find the Certificate of Authenticity. If it's OEM, it will say OEM or have a brand on it. If it's retail or upgrade, that means a customer purchased the software separately and they should have a box with the CDs and COA in it. It won't have a brand name on it other than Microsoft.

The COA tells all.

 

[stevenamills]

If it's a big brand (Dell, HP, Gateway) it is almost certainly OEM.

The COA tells all.

I haven't got enough to say for sure, but I don't believe the COA says - original, SP1, SP1a, SP2 etc or am I wrong about that? I do know that e.g. an sp2 Dell Pro disk will not see an SP1a installation.

I have to believe that the registry and/or the size and date of some file, win.com for instance, is the key.

Thanks for your reply.

Steve
My gut is that the registry and/or

 

[MHCG]

COA doesn't say SP because it's not part of the license. SP should not matter one bit however. I always use a slipstreamed SP3 disk.

 

[JohnG]

In the windows folder and registry there are PID codes, just search the M$ site and you can find the info you need...

 

[stevenamills]

JohnG

Thanks for the "goose". It's funny, I've searched on this information before and never really got exactly what I need. This time, after your note, I found some great stuff by the guy that wrote Dial-a-fix. It was exactly what I needed. He even goes into matching the existing CDs with the required CD for an overlay install (as he calls it).

These forums can make you help others and yourself.

steve

 

[JohnG]

Good deal Steve. I'm glad you found what you were looking for..."goosing" is sometimes what we need to open our eyes to new and alot of times exciting information.