I recently acquired a Compaq desktop with a bad hard drive and without the OS recovery CD. Is there any way to use the license key on the sticker on the case with an another copy of XP I own? The OS has clearly been purchased for this box and I would hate to pay for a second copy. Thanks.

Hi kcford - you should be able to contact HP/Compaq for some new recovery discs.

Unfortunately due to the contracts they have with Microsoft, all companies such as HP/Dell/IBM/Toshiba/etc etc the key's that they have been supplied (as you may have already tried) will not work with any other copies of windows other then that supplied with them.

Once you contact HP/Compaq (they're the same company now) they should be able to send you out the recovery CDs at the cost of shipping and handeling.

I hope this information helps.

I didn't realize they would replace the recovery disk at a nominal cost. Thanks. I will pursue it with HP/Compaq.

marked as answered.