Compaq crashed, corrupt ini file, used DELL recovery disk for XP: PROBLEM

[Vixn]

Hello. My Compaq nx7010 crashed. It was bought with the XP software already installed, so I did not get a Compaq recovery disc.

I asked our IT dept for a recovery disc, which I used, not thinking the fact that it was a DELL recovery disc would make a difference. Since the recovery could NOT fix the problem (corrupt dll files in system32), I created a partition and re-loaded. This worked. I hoped to correct the errors in my original installation by replacing the corrupt files with files from the new installation. This worked too, to a degree. But now upon booting up my OLD installation it gives me the Windows Product Activation error 0x80004005.

I have run the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE etc registry suggestion and messed with the %systemroot% OOBETIMER (in both installations) and it was accepted in both installations, but it worked in only the second, and the first (my original) still gives me the product activation error and doesn't allow me to do anything but re-boot.

What can I do? I'm in South Africa so trying to get a receovery disc from Compaq is going to be near impossible. Can someone suggest a fix? I am a novice but slightly more clued up than most and I do know how to mess with ini files and that.

I have tried the other fixes and suggestions available on the net, but can't find a solution to my exact problem - is my main error in the fact that I used a Dell recovery disc instead of a Compaq?
Or is the error actually due to Microsoft Office? (This was also already installed on the laptop when purchased, but as you know, that product key is not printed on the bottom of my machine).

Is it an OEM issue, as suggested on hardwaregeeks.com? And if so, what now?

I thank you for your time. If there is anyone able (and willing) to help me, your karma credits in the bank will most definitely increase considerably.

[Steve R Jones]

Usually you can't use an OEM cd from one pc maker on a different brand pc.

Purchasing a retail copy of XP and doing a fresh install is something to consider.

[Vixn]

Thank you for that Steve.

Unfortunately my innate sense of justice just won't allow me to consider a solution that is simply not, well - to put it mildly - fair. I don't see why I should fork out a fortune for something I've already legitimately purchased, just because Compaq were too cheap to provide me with a recovery disc when I bought the laptop (something I'm quite sure the Windows lawyers have helpfully overlooked for quite some time now?)

This is blatant planned obsolescence in it's worst form - nothing new was installed, nothing changed on my PC, I just switched it on day and got a message that the ini files were corrupt. Funny, I seem to recall my warrantly expiring about 3 months ago...

And now I'm told the solution is to buy a new copy of Windows? Doing that will set me back 1,847 ZAR (thats about $180), almost half the price of simply buying a new laptop!

I refuse to believe this is the only viable solution (no offence Steve, this is me ranting at the worlds' injustice - not at you!)

I do hope someone else can direct me to an alternative solution?

[Steve R Jones]

OEM vendors are required to give the ability to re-install the OS...Does you pc have a recovery partition? If so, it probaly also has the ability to make cd's.