I am trying to install Windows XP tablet version on a customers computer.
This system did not come with restore disks, but had the restore partition on
the hard drive and did not bother makeing a restore set. Anyway, the hard
drive has gone bad and I put in a new drive. I have a version of Windows XP
tablet I downloaded, but can not get it to work with my serial number. Anyone
here know what the PID number needs to be inside the setupp.ini file? This is
a Gateway M-285-e system. I have tried several different things there and am
getting tired of wasting cd's and the time to install and get to the serial
number option just to find it will not work. Any help would be greatfully
appreciated.

On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:30:01 -0700, Paul Bradley <Paul
Bradley@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I am trying to install Windows XP tablet version on a customers computer.
>This system did not come with restore disks, but had the restore partition on
>the hard drive and did not bother makeing a restore set. Anyway, the hard
>drive has gone bad and I put in a new drive. I have a version of Windows XP
>tablet I downloaded, but can not get it to work with my serial number. Anyone
>here know what the PID number needs to be inside the setupp.ini file? This is
>a Gateway M-285-e system. I have tried several different things there and am
>getting tired of wasting cd's and the time to install and get to the serial
>number option just to find it will not work. Any help would be greatfully
>appreciated.

Where did you download the OS from? The only legitimate place would
be via the MSDN/Technet subscriber site and those editions of XP won't
take an OEM key from a manufacturer.

Why not contact Gateway and order a set of restore disks?

--
Cheers,
Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
http://vpc.essjae.com/

"Steve Jain [MVP]" wrote:

> On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:30:01 -0700, Paul Bradley <Paul
> Bradley@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> > I am trying to install Windows XP tablet version on a customers computer.
> >This system did not come with restore disks, but had the restore partition on
> >the hard drive and did not bother makeing a restore set. Anyway, the hard
> >drive has gone bad and I put in a new drive. I have a version of Windows XP
> >tablet I downloaded, but can not get it to work with my serial number. Anyone
> >here know what the PID number needs to be inside the setupp.ini file? This is
> >a Gateway M-285-e system. I have tried several different things there and am
> >getting tired of wasting cd's and the time to install and get to the serial
> >number option just to find it will not work. Any help would be greatfully
> >appreciated.
>
> Where did you download the OS from? The only legitimate place would
> be via the MSDN/Technet subscriber site and those editions of XP won't
> take an OEM key from a manufacturer.
>
> Why not contact Gateway and order a set of restore disks?
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
> http://vpc.essjae.com/
>

I have already been in contact with gateway and didn't have much luck
there. Said they could send me disks but it would just be an oem version and
would not have the drivers to install on this tablet (needed the sats drivers
on the install disk inorder for the installer to see the hard drive). He said
it would take 2 weeks to send out the disk. I know how to change the PID # to
make the version I have work, but just need to know what number this serial
number would work with. I have done quite a bit of research and not had much
luck. I used to have a key checker years ago that would tell me what version
windows this ke was and if it is oem or retail, but I haven't had any luck
finding that either. Probably threw it away because I hadn't needed to use it
in a couple years.

Your scenario is why this platform has become essentially unsupportable
since MS has elected to work only through the oem's and the oem's are
reluctant to support anything that is not under warranty.

The best suggestion I have is to give the user the pc with the current
install (no tablet functionality) until you can obtain the CD's from
gateway, then continue when they arrive.

It's a sorry situation, but microsoft has elected to completely abandon
the end users in cases such as this one.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:52:01 -0700, Paul Bradley <Paul
Bradley@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>
>"Steve Jain [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:30:01 -0700, Paul Bradley <Paul
>> Bradley@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>
>> > I am trying to install Windows XP tablet version on a customers computer.
>> >This system did not come with restore disks, but had the restore partition on
>> >the hard drive and did not bother makeing a restore set. Anyway, the hard
>> >drive has gone bad and I put in a new drive. I have a version of Windows XP
>> >tablet I downloaded, but can not get it to work with my serial number. Anyone
>> >here know what the PID number needs to be inside the setupp.ini file? This is
>> >a Gateway M-285-e system. I have tried several different things there and am
>> >getting tired of wasting cd's and the time to install and get to the serial
>> >number option just to find it will not work. Any help would be greatfully
>> >appreciated.
>>
>> Where did you download the OS from? The only legitimate place would
>> be via the MSDN/Technet subscriber site and those editions of XP won't
>> take an OEM key from a manufacturer.
>>
>> Why not contact Gateway and order a set of restore disks?
>>
>> --
>> Cheers,
>> Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
>> http://vpc.essjae.com/
>>
>
> I have already been in contact with gateway and didn't have much luck
>there. Said they could send me disks but it would just be an oem version and
>would not have the drivers to install on this tablet (needed the sats drivers
>on the install disk inorder for the installer to see the hard drive). He said
>it would take 2 weeks to send out the disk. I know how to change the PID # to
>make the version I have work, but just need to know what number this serial
>number would work with. I have done quite a bit of research and not had much
>luck. I used to have a key checker years ago that would tell me what version
>windows this ke was and if it is oem or retail, but I haven't had any luck
>finding that either. Probably threw it away because I hadn't needed to use it
>in a couple years.

Wow, it's really hard to understand why Gateway had so many financial
troubles!! I thought I had troubles with my Toshiba tablet.
Sorry and good luck on your quest!

--
Cheers,
Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
http://vpc.essjae.com/

Paul Bradley wrote:

> "Steve Jain [MVP]" wrote:
>>> I am trying to install Windows XP tablet version on a customers
>>> computer. This system did not come with restore disks, but had
>>> the restore partition on the hard drive and did not bother
>>> makeing a restore set. Anyway, the hard drive has gone bad and I
>>> put in a new drive. I have a version of Windows XP tablet I
>>> downloaded, but can not get it to work with my serial number.
>>> Anyone here know what the PID number needs to be inside the
>>> setupp.ini file?

[...]
>> Where did you download the OS from? The only legitimate place
>> would be via the MSDN/Technet subscriber site and those editions
>> of XP won't take an OEM key from a manufacturer.

Exactly.

I also wonder where the OP might have downloaded the OS.
But I do *not* wonder that he can not get the CDs to install.
As the TabletPC OS-version was exclusively delivered by the hardware
manufacturers, most of manufacturers *customized* what they gave to the
client. And therefore more likely than not, a key for a Toshiba TabletPC
will not work with a HP CD and vice versa.
The HP version f.e. doe not even require a key during install. The
install routine inserts the necessary information fro validation
automatically. For doing so, it checks the *Hardware*. If it's a
legitimate HP device, the install runs through. If not it stops and
stats that it's not a legal machine for this OS.

A *workaround*, however might be to use a | XP *SP2* | install CD
instead.
The SP2 CDs contain the [compont] subdir with the TabletPC stuff.
According to many reports in here as well as the German TabletPC
newsgroup, normal SP2 install CDs will work with the key held on the
sticker of the computer. Most OEM CDs won't work. Volume licence CDs
also will not work.

> I have already been in contact with gateway and didn't have much
> luck there. Said they could send me disks but it would just be an oem
> version

Naturally so. The TabletPC OS-version was only delivered as OEM-CDs.

> and would not have the drivers to install on this tablet

Did he say that no drivers would be on the CD?
Most probably the PocketPC stuff as well as other Gateway drivers would
be outdated.
The TabletPC OS-version did only ship on CDs in the original version.
SP2 brought the new TabletPC version and would have installed on top
anyway.
And for many drivers there will be new versions.
I can not say for Gateway, I don't know their systems for driver
updates. For my HP tc1100 things were pretty easy. HP has all of the
drivers available for download on the website in well sorted manner.

Just check what Gateway has to offer for your model.
I just had a short look and there seems drivers for your model for most
relevant areas.

> (needed the sats drivers on the install disk inorder for the
> installer to see the hard drive).

I assume that he might mentioned the *SATA* issues.
I do not know whether your model has a SATA-HDD or still a standard IDE-
drive.
If you should really have a SATA drive, you would indeed need the proper
drivers for SATA-support (unless you'd disable native SATA support which
is not recommendable). So the situation is just the same as with any
other Those are not present on standard XP CDs. So even having the
original CD which came with your computer you would have to download the
SATA-drivers, copy them to a floppy drive (or a CD) and present the disk
during the install.

The drivers are available on Gateway's download site for your model
http://support.gateway.com/support/d...0822&os=&type=
in the section "Hard Drive Downloads"

> He said it would take 2 weeks to send out the disk.

Not too bad, IMHO.
You can not expect that CDs for a years old computer (which BTW
originally came with the machine, that they got lost is nothing Gateway
can be blamed for) are in store.

> I know how to change the PID # to make the
> version I have work, but just need to know what number this serial
> number would work with.

Honestly speaking, I do not really understand what you are talking
about.
You have the valid key on the sticker of your machine, haven't you?

> I have done quite a bit of research and not
> had much luck. I used to have a key checker years ago that would
> tell me what version windows this ke was and if it is oem or
> retail, but I haven't had any luck finding that either. Probably
> threw it away because I hadn't needed to use it in a couple years.

No idea on what "keychecker" you are talking about and whether it was a
legal instrument.

Therefore:
Either wait until the Gateway CDs will arive.
Or look around for an XP SP2 CD and try to install with your key.

Rainald

Steve Jain [MVP] wrote:

> Wow, it's really hard to understand why Gateway had so many
> financial troubles!!

Pretty UNFAIR, Steve!

The OP has not reported anything which might indicate a lack of the
necessary support.
IMO it does not take wonder that CDs for an ooooold model are not
available all over the world for immediate delivery.

And what the OP says does not allow to conclude that Gateway would send
something wrong and leave the user with missing things.
The issue with SATA drivers for XP is the same all over and the OP has
obviously been given the proper advice to care for the drivers on a
disk.

I can not see that anything else would be missing and to me it seems
that Gateway support can not be blamed (unless there were other
shortcomings about which the OP did not leave a single word).

Rainald

Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:

> Your scenario is why this platform has become essentially
> unsupportable since MS has elected to work only through the oem's
> and the oem's are reluctant to support anything that is not under
> warranty.

From what do you conclude that??
Pls carefully re-read what the OP says on the situation with Gateway.
Anything what Gateway might be blamed for?

As far as *I* can see, they are behaving correctly.

Rainald

>> re-read what the OP says... ....Anything what Gateway might be
blamed for? <<

Third post;

>> Said they could send me disks but it would just be an oem version and
would not have the drivers to install on this tablet <<

My reading of that is that Gateway informed the op that they could only
supply a generic os disk, nothing to indicate a tablet specific one with
the necessary drivers.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:

>>> re-read what the OP says... ....Anything what Gateway might be
>>> blamed for? <<
>
" Said they could send me disks but it would
just be an oem version and would not have the
drivers to install on this tablet"
>
> My reading of that is that Gateway informed the op that they could
> only supply a generic os disk, nothing to indicate a tablet
> specific one with the necessary drivers.

Your interpretation differs from mine (specially when completing the
quote:
"... would not have the drivers to install on this
tablet (needed the sats drivers on the install disk
inorder for the installer to see the hard drive)."

That it's an OEM-CD is only natural.
That the TabletPC functionality would be missing is *not* said.
He speaks about "drivers" but only mentions the SATA issue (which is
only too natural too). The way the OP is whining, I'm pretty sure that
he would have explicitly mentioned the lack of the TabletPC
functionality had Gateway announced that.

Rainald

Thanks for the clarification.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 11:26:18 +0200, "Rainald Taesler" <taesler@gmx.de>
wrote:

>Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:
>
>>>> re-read what the OP says... ....Anything what Gateway might be
>>>> blamed for? <<
>>
>" Said they could send me disks but it would
>just be an oem version and would not have the
>drivers to install on this tablet"
>>
>> My reading of that is that Gateway informed the op that they could
>> only supply a generic os disk, nothing to indicate a tablet
>> specific one with the necessary drivers.
>
>Your interpretation differs from mine (specially when completing the
>quote:
>"... would not have the drivers to install on this
>tablet (needed the sats drivers on the install disk
>inorder for the installer to see the hard drive)."
>
>That it's an OEM-CD is only natural.
>That the TabletPC functionality would be missing is *not* said.
>He speaks about "drivers" but only mentions the SATA issue (which is
>only too natural too). The way the OP is whining, I'm pretty sure that
>he would have explicitly mentioned the lack of the TabletPC
>functionality had Gateway announced that.
>
>Rainald
>
>

So then, why would Gateway, the maker of the tablet, not supply the
necessary drivers for THEIR system? IMHO, if Gateway makes the tablet
PC shouldn't they supply the necessary drivers for it?
Why don't they offer recovery disks?
Basically, if you have a Gateway and need to reinstall the OS, you're
out of luck since they don't offer drivers or any way to get an OS
back on?

--
Cheers,
Steve Jain, Virtual Machine MVP
http://vpc.essjae.com/

Steve Jain [MVP] wrote:

>>>>> re-read what the OP says... ....Anything what Gateway might be
>>>>> blamed for? <<
>>>
>> " Said they could send me disks but it would
>> just be an oem version and would not have the
>> drivers to install on this tablet"
>>>
>>> My reading of that is that Gateway informed the op that they could
>>> only supply a generic os disk, nothing to indicate a tablet
>>> specific one with the necessary drivers.
>>
>> Your interpretation differs from mine (specially when completing
>> the quote:
>> "... would not have the drivers to install on this
>> tablet (needed the sats drivers on the install disk
>> inorder for the installer to see the hard drive)."
>>
>> That it's an OEM-CD is only natural.
>> That the TabletPC functionality would be missing is *not* said.
>> He speaks about "drivers" but only mentions the SATA issue (which
>> is only too natural too). The way the OP is whining, I'm pretty
>> sure that he would have explicitly mentioned the lack of the
>> TabletPC functionality had Gateway announced that.
>
> So then, why would Gateway, the maker of the tablet, not supply the
> necessary drivers for THEIR system?

What from do you deduct that they would NOT do that??

What the OP has let us know, one can not at all conclude that Gateway
would not do that!

Please be so kind as to re-read his posting *carefully*.
By that you might see that there is no indication at all that Gateway
would not deliver the necessary drivers.
The OP only says that the *SATA*-drivers would not be on the *CD*.
That's just normal for any XP CD (from whatsoever manufacturer).

Nothing more on any other kind of drivers.

> IMHO, if Gateway makes the
> tablet PC shouldn't they supply the necessary drivers for it?

RightyRight!
But not any drivers which appeared *after* original XP TabletPC version.

There's a really good download website where Gateway offers the updated
drivers. AFAICS what they offer is not far behind HP/COMPAQ (whose
download site is "best practice").

And the said *SATA*-drivers (the only thing the OP mentions) were not
part of any XP install CD of the first version (regardless of the
computer manufacturer).
Check around the net, you'll be drowned under thousands of XP users'
whining.
And the OP in so far reports that he#d be given the solution.

> Why don't they offer recovery disks?

Who says, they would not??

The OP has reported that he would be sent CDs and that this might take 2
weeks.
Not more, not less.
How come that you just claim he would not be given "Recovery CDs"?

In so far:
The term "Recovery CDs" is really ambiguous.
This might mean CDs to be used to recover the original state of a
computer as delivered from the factory just in one run. It might mean -
to the contrary - the CDs necessary for setting up a system.

I for one - having the complete *original* set of CD which came with my
HP tc1100 - never had any "Recovery CDs" in the first sense. HP gave the
original XP TabletPC OS CDs and a CD with "drivers" (altogether 3 CDs) +
the additional MUI CDs.
What might be wrong about that?

> Basically, if you have a Gateway and need to reinstall the OS,
> you're out of luck since they don't offer drivers or any way to get
> an OS back on?

Sorry, this is just *nonsense*.
(at least as the info given in this thread is concerned).
Unless the OP would post additional information there's no indication at
all that the CDs ordered/promised from Gateway would not be the proper
media for installing the TabletPC OS in the original version.

Sorry for the angry tone.
But me seems that the whining of the OP produced images in your mind
which lack of any factual basis.
IMO even an MVP should be careful enough not be just swapped away by the
waves of users' whining.

"Get brains in gear prior to posting" IMHO still is a valid device.

Rainald