I've asked this before and got a great rapid response from people but I've realised I was too vague.
I dont have my windows cd but have the product key on my laptop and was wondering does the windows cd matter? I've had one guy give me the link to some web page talking about microsoft now only allowing the same cd, its an OEM since I got it with my dell, windows already installed on it.
Now that I need to reformat I have the windows cd for my moms dell laptop but dont know if it would work, its a service pack two and I dont know if my windows cd already had that.
Does any one know how much a difference this would make? I'm afraid when I go to activate it it would be considered illegal and shut down. My other idea is to ask dell to send me a replacement and just pay for what ever charge, if I cant use a diff cd. Has any one done this before?
2007-10-15 07:06:38 · 9 answers · asked by Albrecht D 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
if your mom cd is windows xp service pack2, it is only service pack and will not install XP on your computer.
Even if your mom dell cd has XP cd, it has drivers for that dell model but you can use it.
I suggest you can ask any one for windows XP cd (any-retail or OEM) and when activating XP, it will create problem, call Microsoft about it and they will correct it via telephone (no need to say you install from another XP cd and when microsoft ask for product key, tell them one that is on your laptop). and remember to install drivers for your computer from dell website.
2007-10-15 08:15:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mōlě 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The product key you have is for the OEM installed on your 'puter. When you delete it you lose it. Use your mom's cd to reinstall, don't worry about the SP2 part, it's actually better than what you had. Use your mom's product key for the install, and once installed, use her product key for activation as well. If it is the first time anyone else has used this disc, apart from mom, it should just go through, they usually allow a certain amount of reinstalls per copy. If not you will see a message giving you certain choices, take the automatic phone choice. Follow the instructions carefully, one botchup and you will have to restart from scratch. You will get a toll free number to call, call it and explain what has happened. He will ask you how many computers this OS is on, tell him just your mom's and this one, he will then give you a new activation key, and activate your windows. I've done this a lot, they are very helpful. Good luck mate.
2007-10-15 07:31:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The codes are not installed anywhere on the Windows CD. They are provided separately and are confirmed or rejected by MS when you go on line. Use Linux instead which doesn't need a product key.
2016-03-12 23:30:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the solution only for Lenovo/IBM ThinkPad Laptops... There is a blue key on your laptop which opens a rescue and recovery utility...
There is an option for recovering your pc.... Select that and you will be able format (reinstall) windows...
For other manufacturers also, I guess that there must be some utility from the manufacturer. Or maybe you can call the manufacturer's helpline (get it from the website or local telephonic search)...
Maybe you can even call Microsoft helpline... Explain them that you have another CD... They'll help you.... Or they'll send you a replacement CD
2007-10-15 07:36:53 · answer #4 · answered by Chinmay Regal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best route to go is getting Dell's recovery disk. However, a OEM is an OEM. Dell doesn't give you the holographic disk, they give you a customized to that system recovery disk. As long as you have the OEM sticker on the side of the computer and use the same OEM type disk (Windows XP Home edition OEM for example) you will be able to install the O.S. You will have to active that software. When you do this they will ask how many computers this software is installed on. You are only using the installation with your OEM product key on one computer. Do not get brave and put it on more than one system. A OEM sticker is for one license.
I would still however, go with the repurchase idea of the recovery disk, this will avoid the reactivation process.
2007-10-15 07:15:09 · answer #5 · answered by ryans_ccs 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should be fine. Your problem wouldn't be with Microsoft because you still have your License (your key code) nobody else has used it. The problem would more be with dell, if the OEM disk has everything you need on it. (Like extra Drivers and so forth). You probably just need to call dell. I wouldn't think you would have any problems. But your best bet is to go through dell. You could install it, make sure you have all the latest drivers from Dell's website and maybe even windows update. See if you have any problems.
2007-10-15 07:13:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've done it before go ahead and use you moms cd when it ask for the product key put the one or you laptop in you might have to call microsoft to tell them why you are reinstalling windows on your computer just say something like it got a virus they will understand
2007-10-15 07:14:07 · answer #7 · answered by the man the myth the answerer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should have been allowed to make one backup copy of your system (which I did). Also, I contacted Dell and asked for copies of the drivers, etc. on CD and they sent them. I was not asked to pay for them.
What makes you think you have to reformat? Won't a Windors Repair fix the system, while you spend some time cleaning up and organizing?
I doubt your Mom's CD would work on your laptop. When we install and activate Windows, Microsoft takes the 25 character product key, mixes it with information about the computer on which it is being installed, and arrives at what they call an "installation ID." You can see that this information would not match on your Mom's PC. It might install, but you would probably be asked to buy a license.
****************************
Here is information on repair:
WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx
WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true
WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:
http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced
Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0
*************************************
Source for information on installation ID:
Source: paraphrased from p. 18, Windows Gigabook for Dummies, by Peter Weverka et al.
2007-10-15 08:10:31 · answer #8 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can only say that you should be using your activation code that is on your computer. That being the case your mother should not have any problems from you using her cd to reinstall windows on your system.
2007-10-15 07:21:38 · answer #9 · answered by Kyle K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just had some major issues with this myself. check out this page
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml
it shows you how to use the installation files on your current, active windows setup to create a bootable setup disk.
very cool. I just used it and it works great. i haven't yet tried to reintall, but i'm about to. i have high hopes.
good luck
2007-10-17 08:26:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋