Is the Compaq Recovery CD just OEM version of a Windows installation CD? I got a Compaq Presario V6101US and I am just wondering if that all it was. Thanks!
The recovery CD isn't just an OEM version of the Windows OS. it is a complete software, OS and driver package that will restore the computer to the very same state that it was shipped as. It will reinstall the OS, all needed drivers, and all software originally installed on the computer.
What Rooster said, plus it will normally work only with the brand name (in the this case Compaq) that it's made for. Sometimes it will only work with that certain system it's made for.
I have an OEM disc with my HP, not recovery, just OS. It will work on HP/Compaq systems and normally won't require to input a CD key. If used on any other system, you need a CD key, but it will work.