A friend has asked me to sort out his work's laptop as it had a number of virus' on it. After running numerous scans some of the vital windows files such as userinit.exe are missing so couldn't log on. I decided it would be easiest to perform a repair with the windows disk. I have a copy of Windows XP Professional I got free from uni (legit). And thought it would be fine to use this disk to simply repair the current windows installation. Its running windows XP professional so couldn't see any problems... Until It got to asking for a product key. I tried the key on the label on the laptop but kept getting product key invalid. I could try putting the product key I got from uni in, but I don't want to invalidate the installation. I was under the impression product keys weren't necessary when performing a repair as its still the same installation.
The only differences I know between the laptop and the disk is the laptop is running sp1 and this disk is sp2. That and maybe its an OEM copy of windows on the laptop as its a HP. Should i try again with a sp1 disk or could this mess things up further.
Please, if anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated as he's expecting it back soon and right now its unusable.
The only differences I know between the laptop and the disk is the laptop is running sp1 and this disk is sp2. That and maybe its an OEM copy of windows on the laptop as its a HP. Should i try again with a sp1 disk or could this mess things up further.
Please, if anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated as he's expecting it back soon and right now its unusable.
