I want to buy a new laptop but I could save a lot if i bought it with no OS. I have an unopened XP disk from an old desktop but it says on it "for re-installation only" and that the installation Key has been built in to the old desktop so no key is provided. Can I use the XP key retreival utility (http://www.updatexp.com/xp-key.html) to find the key from my old desktop and use that? Or would it work typing in one of the keys people are accidently posting on-line with their Belarc Advisor reports (http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Windows+XP+Professional%22+%22Belarc+Advisor+Current+Profile%22+key%3A)
I just want to make sure before I buy the new laptop that this will work.
2007-10-18 05:25:00 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
ok "Re-Installation" is NOT an XP disc, it is a 'Ghost' of your Dell's XP, and is specific to that make model and serial number (internal chips can change with serial numbers) . This simply means it is a version of XP that will only work on your PC.
It will have unique drivers for that PC, and the general ones may also have been removed to save space on the CD.
Sorry but there it is.
2007-10-18 05:33:39 · answer #1 · answered by Master U 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had difficulties installing Dell-branded Windows on non-Dell machines. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It is indeed possible to create an installation that will refuse to install on a non-Dell (or non-Gateway, non-Compaq, etc). But I've never been able to see a rhyme or reason as to why some Dell-branded Windows will install on anything, and others wont'.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to try. Retrieve your key as you mentioned (or use RockXP, google it) and give it a shot. If it works, great. If not, you're no worse off really. As for the other keys; they are all already installed on someone's machine; you'll run into a lot of hassle trying to use any of those.
2007-10-18 05:33:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've tried to do this - with no luck. The software is keyed to your CPU ID and hardware configuration (which has already been installed by Dell) - so any attempt to install on different hardware won't work
2007-10-18 05:32:27 · answer #3 · answered by seek_out_truth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, DELL's OEM Windows disk will ONLY load on Dell machines. If you try to use it on any PC from other brand, it won't even start to load.
My GUESS is that the loader is checking a signature of the BIOS.
2007-10-18 05:34:25 · answer #4 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not sure with Dell,
but if you buy an OS, you can use the disc to install multiple times on different computers, im not sure if its the same in this case if the disk came with your dell computer.
if the disc is like regular retail windows xp disc then yeah, you can, but if you're permitted to do it is something else.
2007-10-18 05:33:51 · answer #5 · answered by Nirkon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Using one key on 2 systems is piracy buddy ...
2007-10-18 05:28:36 · answer #6 · answered by Krazny Oktybr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
normally any software configured for a dell will not run on any other machine, the operating ststem is the same, it will only run on the pc it was sent with. windows only allows their software to run on one machine only
2007-10-18 07:05:56 · answer #7 · answered by D McC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋