Just examined the past month's posts and it looks like a
lotta folks are in the same boat.  Looks like it's either
call Microsoft in the morning or nothing, unless
someone's got a better idea?

Since the machine has a Compaq restore cd...I don't think that any of the
Microsoft serial #'s would work...The only way I could possibly think of
getting
the number would be through Compaq...
If it;s any consolation...there's a chance at least that a standard win95 cd
would
work...though you might need to come up with a few drivers...

Win95 cd's can be found on ebay for about $15 or so

code for win95 you have to buy a new version of windows or
somebody with wi95 and has the code

I found this sometime ago with a Google search.

Works with my OEM disk

Since MS no longer sells or supports Win95;
Assuming the individual has Win95 installed previously;
Assuming that the individual is in possession of an Win95 disk:

Metho 1
=================
1  Copy cdrom  \WIN95 directory to C:\tmp
2  Open the file C:\tmp\WIN95\LAYOUT.INF
3  Locate the string SETUPPP.INF in this file
4  It should read setuppp.inf=2,,4550
    Change the 2 to 0
    It should now read setuppp.inf=0,,4550
    Save the file.

Use Winzip or other .cab file extractor to

5  Extract the SETUPPP.INF from the PRECOPY2.CAB
6  Open the SETUPPP.INF file
    Locate the string ProductType=9
    Change this to ProductType=1
    Save the file
7  Run Windows setup from the subdirectory.

Note: The Layout.inf file is a road map of which files to use and how
they are implimented.

Product type
9 will cause it to NOT upgrade and ask for a CD Key,
2 will upgrade and ask
1 will upgrade and NOT ask for a CD Key.
==================================

method 2
=====================
Upgrade Windows using Win95 OEM CD's or disks

open old windows

insert 95b cd

run setup from cd

follow installation directions up to the License Agreement Screen,
then STOP

alt/tab to program manager (or explorer), select show all files

start notepad - open - show all files

go to c:\wininst0.400\setuppp.inf (note 3p's) open up file

locate " [DATA] "line

in notepad, scroll to end of [DATA] and enter a new line

OEMUP=l

save file, and exit notepad

alt/tab back to License Agreement, select "yes" to continue

=========================================

I do have the fancy certificate sticker on my booklett.
I do use this technique to create a cleaner install.

I remove these strings from setuppp.inf :

awfax.inf  (Fax stuff)
awupd.inf
inetmail.inf  (Internet Mail Services)
ohare.inf  ( Microsoft Internet Explorer v3.0 Installation)
athena.inf (Mail stuff)
etc.

My last clean install was 4 years ago and I find Win95b to be very
stable.  This Win2000Pro system I'm on now has been a real headache !

later,
lee