Hewlett Packard 864n computer problem

[dwai]

This computer has a bad hard drive so I replaced it with a very similar one. Similar brand, model and size. I tried using the HP recovery discs to reinstall Windows onto this computer but it says that the discs are not for this computer. I'm guessing that it is checking for the hard drive that failed and since it isn't seeing it, it won't install due to rampant piracy.

What can be done here?

Please advise, thank you.

 

[Y2K SE]

No, its probably checking the DMI info on the motherboard. Have you ever had the systemboard replaced?

 

[MD_Willington]

It's looking for the hidden partition that was installed on the originally installed HDD, that partition is a backup/clone of what was there in the first place...

No hidden partition = no system restore...

Quite common on all OEM machines...even my IBM netvista had 2Gig partition tucked away for that rainy day!

MD