Windows XP question

Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:11 am

Have a computer question for you guys.

I was just given a laptop from someone at work, the hard drive is bad in it.
It's a Gateway 7422GX.

So I found a HDD on ebay for $60.

Here is the problem, stupid Gateway doesn't supply restore CD's with their laptops. They actually don't give you anything I guess.

I can buy a CD from them for another $20, but that almost ticks me off since the customer already bought their copy of windows when they bought the laptop.

so my question is, I have the product key on the bottom on the laptop. Can I download a OEM version of windows off the net install it and use the key I have? Will it activate OK?

Since it's a legitimate key, I thought it would be OK. Just wanted to get some suggestions on what I can do.

Or if anyone can find a torrent of the actual 7422GX restore media online that can be downloaded, I'll use that instead.

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:20 am

Chris from Washington wrote:Have a computer question for you guys.

I was just given a laptop from someone at work, the hard drive is bad in it.
It's a Gateway 7422GX.

So I found a HDD on ebay for $60.

Here is the problem, stupid Gateway doesn't supply restore CD's with their laptops. They actually don't give you anything I guess.

I can buy a CD from them for another $20, but that almost ticks me off since the customer already bought their copy of windows when they bought the laptop.

so my question is, I have the product key on the bottom on the laptop. Can I download a OEM version of windows off the net install it and use the key I have? Will it activate OK?

Since it's a legitimate key, I thought it would be OK. Just wanted to get some suggestions on what I can do.

Or if anyone can find a torrent of the actual 7422GX restore media online that can be downloaded, I'll use that instead.

Usually it is. As long as nothing major in the laptop changed you should be fine. I had this happen a few times with my Old POS dell.

falkenbd · Post by **falkenbd** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:02 pm

You have to activate windows? Weird...

Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:26 pm

Bwcad1 wrote:Usually it is. As long as nothing major in the laptop changed you should be fine. I had this happen a few times with my Old POS dell.

cool, I ordered a new drive. Hopefully it works, I like getting free stuff, that's easy to fix. :)

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:02 pm

Yes,

Just make sure that if the laptop is licensed for only Home, to download and use the Home version. Etc, etc, etc

William from NOLA · Post by **William from NOLA** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:41 pm

You won't be able to use any regular cd/dvd of XP with the code. There are a minimum of 6 different versions of the XP disk per service pack.

I hope you luck out with a version online. You could always just install it with your key and then try changing the code later. I tried that once and it didn't work for me, but you may have luck.

Ryan from Ohio · Post by **Ryan from Ohio** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 3:50 pm

On two computers now with XP Ive had the legit/legal code but no disk and Ive used a Home version. Always loaded up without issue and validates out just fine.

Note that some versions that WERE on machines have things added to them by the company (like HP, EMachines, etc). I havent had an issue yet :)

Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:28 pm

cool beans.. HDD should be here in a couple days, so I'll give it a try!

Bwcad1 · Post by **Bwcad1** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:10 pm

if they give you any crap just tell them your hdd died and your reinstalling. They will either give you a new code or authorize the one you have.

MaxdSPL · Post by **MaxdSPL** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:00 pm

Or if it is like the Dell I had to fix a couple of weeks ago, the regular XP disk would not work, it had to be the Dell os install disk. Fought with that damn thing for 2 days.......called dell, they wanted to charge me $50 to answer my question. But conned the guy into telling me that I needed to use their disk because of the way they have their hardware set up.