Reinstalling xp from dell CD

mik_da_man

HI,

My mam bought a computer with XP on it about 8 months ago (non dell) but it has started devoloping a few problems with internet, missing some dll files and a few other bits and bobs.
Was chattin to a freind who said if there is not anything too important on it a re-install of XP might be a good idea??

ne way, she didn't get the xp backup disk with her computer, but I have one from my dell lappy
any chance this will work on her machine??

cheers

Mik

snappieT

It'll give you a few errors but it should work.

I assume your mam's PC has it's own licence code, otherwise we're venturing into illegal-ville.

beller b

prob be missing a few drivers & not sure how the activation will work.. I have a full version of XP pro( sp2 )-if your interested!

Virus_Inc

Have plenty of spare install media I can give you, as long as you have a valid key it should be fine...

mik_da_man

My mams comp should have the licence code all right,
just have to locate it :rolleyes:
Will sort that out @ da weekend when i get home

cheers lads

deckie27

Dell OS cd's won't let you use them on a none dell machine
They look at the BIOS and when it's not a Dell they give the two fingers

Been there
Dec

mik_da_man

Ah,
a slight problem i see
gonna have to get my hands on another source so :mad:

to get the cd key download and run magical jellybean finder found here: http://www.petri.co.il/quickly_retrieve_windows_cd_key.htm

Guy:Incognito

Virus_Inc wrote:

Have plenty of spare install media I can give you, as long as you have a valid key it should be fine...

Which version of windows do you have Home or pro, is i tOEM or full versions?

Im having problems, need a cd, I have my licence key though.

snappieT

deckie27 wrote:

Dell OS cd's won't let you use them on a none dell machine
They look at the BIOS and when it's not a Dell they give the two fingers

Been there
Dec

This is not true.

I scratched my XP Pro CD, so I installed XP onto my Fujitsu Siemens PC using my Dell disk. It does work.

julius

mik_da_man wrote:

HI,

My mam bought a computer with XP on it about 8 months ago (non dell) but it has started devoloping a few problems with internet, missing some dll files and a few other bits and bobs.
Was chattin to a freind who said if there is not anything too important on it a re-install of XP might be a good idea??

ne way, she didn't get the xp backup disk with her computer, but I have one from my dell lappy
any chance this will work on her machine??

cheers

Mik

Its illegal to provide new computers without backup CD's with all software included.
This applies for the Operating System as well.

Ring up the computer manufacturer and demand a replacement CD.

When Gateway2000 were still in Ireland I lost/broke my Win98 cd on a number of accasions and they posted me new ones without any questions!

rsynnott

snapscan1212p wrote:

This is not true.

I scratched my XP Pro CD, so I installed XP onto my Fujitsu Siemens PC using my Dell disk. It does work.

It probably depends where the CD came from in the first place. Certainly the Win2k discs they were distributing a few years back were dell-only.
Rob

digiking

it should be fine, Since both machines are dell,

Oem's have to tatoo the hard drive in thier computers so that thier disc will only work on their computers....

As long as its the same version of xp - both professional or both home you hall have no problems...Have your valid key handy though...You can dowload all the drivers off the web.

Digiking

digiking

actually are you sure there isn't a hidden restore partition, Lock in the manual about reinstalling or restoreing windows...Ibm use hidden partionions,, we'll at least they used to

Mac daddy

deckie27 wrote:

Dell OS cd's won't let you use them on a none dell machine
They look at the BIOS and when it's not a Dell they give the two fingers

Been there
Dec

Not true i have done this plenty of times on NON dell system - even the laptop using this minute has been done that way,

The only thing you will notice will be press start - go to support and it will be labeled dell -

Activation is fine if you have a valid license enter that you will be fine.

And they do not look in the bios - nothing to do with it.

Mac daddy

julius wrote:

Its illegal to provide new computers without backup CD's with all software included.
This applies for the Operating System as well.

Ring up the computer manufacturer and demand a replacement CD.

When Gateway2000 were still in Ireland I lost/broke my Win98 cd on a number of accasions and they posted me new ones without any questions!

I had to do a reinstall for a mate a couple of weeks ago - she bought her laptop from pc world some packard bell laptop- And did not get the OS cd's with

They are optional she was told when she called them up for the cd -
She rang packard bell they told her the same thing optional -
Or you can buy a restore cd wich has it on it - and all the drivers

The only thing she got was a pre installed os - no cd's - no driver cd - and the user manual thats it nothing else..........

formatman

Tech support will send you the OS CD if you ask for it

If you install the LAppy one though it will , from installing a good few it won't even ask for the licence key as it knows its a Dell from the motherboard

Just set the bios to OS install mode , seems to be Dells way of seting the cd as first boot device

formatman

now after reading the first post properly I was only refering to Dell support thinking the machine was a DELL

The lappy Cd most likely won't install are they are bios locked

Mac daddy

Most dell bios you can access via F12 - select the cd rom driveas first boot device - it should work fine

Capt'n Midnight

julius wrote:

Its illegal to provide new computers without backup CD's with all software included.
This applies for the Operating System as well.

Which country ?
'Cos I can remember Windows 95 being shippped with a bunch of labels - you had to go out and buy 20 floppies and make backups.
The Targa laptops didn't have media for everything - 5 restore images on the drive - so I guess it' don't apply in Germany/Eu either.

I'd agree that it's imoral - but unless you've a link to show otherwise to the manufacturers then they'll do what they've beiing doing for the last decade - skimping on media if they reckon they can.

Mac daddy

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

skimping on media if they reckon they can.

And they call it a "Option"

deckie27

mik_da_man

How did u get on?

Dec

mik_da_man

I got a Install CD from one of the board faithful 'perfer not to mention who just in case!!'
But all is working fine now,
tried to get back to where my mams comp was purchased but we didn't have receipt for it so they didn't enterain us!

but all go now

Cheers for all the help lads,
it's amazing the amount of knowledge and willingness to help your fellow people out there, just have to know where to look!!

Mik