As a computer technician, I regularly reinstall windows and yesterday I reformatted an hp laptop. I wanted to activate using SLP method so I checked string in bios this is what I found: i.imgur.com/PbJGZ.png This is the same thing that I got when i booted off the OEM BIOS BOOTABLE CD. So I downloaded the uncompressed HP / Compaq (OEMBIOS.CAT CRC32=CD4E1902) and put the 4 files in the uncompressed folder of the OEMBIOS Changer Tool. I ran the changer for XP Home System and there were no errors everything went as usual but when I restarted windows was still not activated. I tried to install security essentials and it failed validation. I went to the activation wizard and it was still asking me for activation. I have no idea what I did wrong could I have used another bios set? The one I used was the only one that the computer could use according to the bios checker. I dont know whats up.
All I can suggest is try running the changer again as for the other two oem bios sets those are depreciated now.
These are the correct files that you need 5 files to be placed in the i386 directory of your CD. the files are: OEMBIOS.BI_ OEMBIOS.CA_ OEMBIOS.DA_ OEMBIOS.SI_ winnt.sif and the Winnt.sif should have your key entered, see below Code: ;SetupMgrTag [Data] AutoPartition=0 MsDosInitiated="0" UnattendedInstall="Yes" AutomaticUpdates=yes [Unattended] UnattendMode=FullUnattended OemSkipEula=Yes OemPreinstall=Yes TargetPath=\WINDOWS UnattendSwitch=Yes WaitForReboot=No Keyboardlayout="United Kingdom" [GuiUnattended] AdminPassword="Password Here" EncryptedAdminPassword=NO OEMSkipRegional=1 TimeZone=85 OemSkipWelcome=1 [UserData] ProductKey=****************************** FullName="Name" OrgName="" ComputerName=HP [Display] BitsPerPel=32 Xresolution=1024 YResolution=768 Vrefresh=60 [TapiLocation] CountryCode=44 Dialing=Tone AreaCode=01454 [RegionalSettings] LanguageGroup=1 Language=00000809 [Identification] JoinWorkgroup=WORKGROUP [Networking] InstallDefaultComponents=Yes [Components] msmsgs=off msnexplr=off Fax=On
If you are retail cd you will also need to change Setupp.ini file in i386 folder to oem. XP Home OEM: Code: [Pid] ExtraData=786F687170637175716954806365EF Pid=76477OEM XP Pro OEM: Code: [Pid] ExtraData=786F687170637175716954806365EF Pid=76487OEM Also you will find HP OEM SLP keys in OEMBIOS changer\Activation check and Serial tools folder in file named slpKeys_XP.txt.
Thank you all. I only used HP CD4E1902 bios set because when I was preparing my tools I downloaded all 91 bios sets from the The Windows XP OEMBIOS Archive onto a USB drive so I could have them offline and ready. I was not aware that HP 3BA155E1 existed because it is not on the list, but thanks to FreeStyler's link I found it on his skydrive. I then downloaded all bios sets from his skydrive and compared them to the ones from The Windows XP OEMBIOS Archive and my bios set list grew from 91 to 98 sets. These are the ones that I found additional if anyone finds it helpful. ASUS_B20C65BF COMPAQ_74572CCF Dell_63875D1F HP_3BA155E1 RoverBook_91F00D40 Sony_F08705E9 THTF_7870B3C6 Unfortunately, I was not able to test the HP 3BA155E1 set because I don't have the laptop anymore. I was in a hurry and had to get the job done. I use an XP HOME OEM SP3 cd which I converted from MSDN to OEM using the method described by urie and it activated online easily by inputting the key on the COA key on the bottom of the laptop. I would have liked to use the more elegant SLP method though. I'm sure it would have worked. @ NICK@NUMBER11: Thank you but I activate after I install windows It would be a hassle to carry dozens of cds instead of 1 cd and 1 usb with the bios sets.
Reporting back. I have now have had 2 computers fixed in a row for which the HP 3BA155E1 set worked and the HP CD4E1902 did not.