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Windows licence question

  • 27-11-2006 8:00pm
    #1
    cornbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭


    My hard drive is slowly dying and I need a replacement. I have no problem buying a new one but I'd prefer not to buy a copy of Windows as I effectively already have a licence from when I bought this machine. Problem is, Dell didn't supply me with a Windows disk (the installers are in a hidden partition on my crappy dying hard drive). If I get a Windows XP disk from a mate will I be able to legitimately install it on a blank drive? I have a "product key" on the Genuine Windows sticker on my machine but thats about it... or would it be worth getting in touch with dell and asking them for an xp disk even though its out of warranty?


Comments

  • #2
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 92,385 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    If XP came preinstalled from Dell then the license is bound to that machine (/motherboard) so no problem installing it on a replacement hard drive.

    The other CD could be used if it's the save type - PRO vs. HOME, if the CD is a later service pack level it may not accept the earlier serial, if it's a brand other than Dell it may not install on the Dell system

    you could try to make images from the Hard drive - not sure how F12 on startup or something or is there a utility ?

    If you were in warranty then defo get in touch with Dell, might still be worth a try


  • #3
    Stokolan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭Stokolan


    Is there any software installed that allows you to make you a master boot disk? I have a Packard Bell that has the windows install on a separate partition but i was able to make a masterboot disk to use for recovery! I'm sure there must be something similar on your dell.


  • #4
    cornbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭cornbb


    Hmm, I'll try getting hold of an XP home SP2 disk then. I'd really prefer not to call Dell unless I need to, they're such arses, especially over the phone.


  • #5
    cornbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭cornbb


    Stokolan wrote:
    Is there any software installed that allows you to make you a master boot disk? I have a Packard Bell that has the windows install on a separate partition but i was able to make a masterboot disk to use for recovery! I'm sure there must be something similar on your dell.

    There's a Norton recovery utility on the hidden partition. Forget exactly what its called. I think its just for reformatting the drive and/or reinstalling windows though. If I get an XP installer disk I assume I'll be able to boot from that and install windows from there?


  • #6
    Stokolan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,808 ✭✭✭Stokolan


    not suer if this will help but worth a try http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=F0298774D06E7340E030030ABD62396D&c=us&l=en&s=gen

    Other idea is to make a ghost image of the drive using the nortan ghost.


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  • #7
    cornbb
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,790 ✭✭✭cornbb


    Stokolan wrote:
    not suer if this will help but worth a try http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=F0298774D06E7340E030030ABD62396D&c=us&l=en&s=gen

    That looks perfect, cheers. Wow, I didn't know that any of the crap dell preinstalled on their machines could actually be useful for something :)


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