Windows XP - What version?

[Brandonjones]

I had a friend bring me his computer and asked me to reload it. The restore partition is toast, and I reformatted the drive not thinking about looking to see what version of XP it was. So not I have a laptop, a windows XP key, but I have not idea what version of XP the key goes with. Any ideas how I can find out? I tried Googleing the key, but no luck. The tag that has the key on the back is faded and the version os windows is gone- I can barley read the key.

 

[Xander]

Why would you google the key unless you suspected it was pirated (in which case, you wouldn't have it on the COA)?

Trial by fire time -- pick a version and start installing and hope that the key works. If it doesn't, start again.

 

[citizensmith]

You didnt give make \ model \vintage of laptop. If its not a business grade item I'd go for Home. Anyway the licence key is required early on in instalation.
4 posts 3 years? Dude where have you been hiding?

 

[Brandonjones]

I lurk the forums some, but that is it unless I have a question. I tried Home Edition but that did not work. Guess I can try Media Center. It is a Gateway Netbook LT20. Thanks for replies. Maybe I can find a little time and become more active.

 

[altrenda]

http://panam.gateway.com/s/notebook/2009/gateway/lt/lt20/LT20sp2.shtml

 

[jbartlett323]

Unless you like installing XP, I'd recommend going straight to Pro. Since its a Netbook, it probably has ulcpc on it, which is installed from a pro disk. If it is media center, it will also install with the pro disk, just wont activate.

 

[jbartlett323]

http://panam.gateway.com/s/notebook/2009/gateway/lt/lt20/LT20sp2.shtml

and there you have it!

 

[Porthos]

The tag that has the key on the back is faded and the version os windows is gone- I can barley read the key.

Call Gateway to order recovery disks and use an external DVD rom to install.

 

[Brandonjones]

I have installed Windows XP Home, and the key did not work.

 

[Porthos]

Where and how did you get this KEY?

 

[Xander]

I lurk the forums some, but that is it unless I have a question.

Maybe if less people lurked and more people chipped in....

 

[Brandonjones]

The key is on the bottom of the computer.

 

[brandonkick]

What version of windows XP home? OEM or Retail?

This says it shipped with SP3, are you using a correct SP3 disk?

It's been a while since I've dealt with this, but this is all that comes to mind right now.

 

[seedubya]

This says it shipped with SP3, are you using a correct SP3 disk?

This is my bet. An XP SP3 Key will only be accepted by an XP SP3 disk when installing.

 

[Markverhyden]

What version of windows XP home? OEM or Retail?

This says it shipped with SP3, are you using a correct SP3 disk?

It's been a while since I've dealt with this, but this is all that comes to mind right now.

From the specs link provided by altrenda

Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home (Service Pack 3)
Windows® 7 Starter Edition

 

[Brandonjones]

I only had a XP SP3 disc, so that may be the issue. There is no way this system had Windows 7 Starter Edition on it. It only has 512MB of RAM. I will try to get a XP SP3 disc and see what if that works.

Thanks all for the Ideas!

 

[Porthos]

The tag that has the key on the back is faded and the version os windows is gone- I can barley read the key.

The key is on the bottom of the computer.

Still might have misread the key.

 

[anti]

Guess we'll assume you're using an OEM disc and not a Retail one.

 

[Markverhyden]

I only had a XP SP3 disc, so that may be the issue. There is no way this system had Windows 7 Starter Edition on it. It only has 512MB of RAM. I will try to get a XP SP3 disc and see what if that works.

Thanks all for the Ideas!

Possible but I would not guarantee that Gateway would not sell a laptop with 512mb with W7 starter.

Can your friend confirm is was XP. The start buttons between 7 and XP. Also, what has been done to the drive. You said format. Exactly how? If it was a simple format and nothing else done then you may be able to use testdisk to find a backup partition table. I've done that a few times and it's worked on occasion.

Also you can call M$ customer support. In the past I have seen comments where techs gave support a call and provided them a key and they told them what version it was for.

You can look up the SN at Gateway but I do not know if the default OS is the one it shipped with. I checked my SN on a Gateway laptop I have and it defaulted to W8 which is what it came with. But it was also the first entry in the list.

http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/drivers-downloads

Also Gateway may tell you what it shipped with if you give them the SN.