Tecra Laptops

[#1]

I have an S1 Tecra laptop that has the original 2 disks that came with the unit new.

It seems that the Windows XP Product Key is embedded on those disks because when doing a COMPLETE restore back to factory, it didn't ask for the Key.

If I lend these disks to another person that also has an S1 for him to do a re-install, how can he enter his Key that is on the bottom of his unit?

Can those disks be "modified" to ask for the Key like for a normal desktop installation?

(download & modify ISO & reburn)

Thankyou all......

[#2 · Accepted solution]

When you use the restore disks, you are not really doing a Windows install.  You are restoring a digital image of the hard drive.  The operating system installed in this way is a pre-authorized OEM install that doesn't require a key.  In practical terms the key on the bottom of the unit has no real function except to certify that the notebook has an OEM license for Windows.  If you were to try and install a retail version of Windows and use that key it would fail.  I don't see any problem with loaning your recovery disks to someone with another S1.  It would be little different from ordering a set from Toshiba.  The disks have no 'internal' product key encoded and are all the same for a given model notebook.

[#3]

Thankyou for the prompt reply ChristopherC.

I've often wondered why there is a different key on the laptop than you find by looking at the key used during the install. Explains everything.

Bruce