Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Dell reinstallation CD XP Home Edition SP1a

by janal95 Jul 1, 2007 6:27AM PDT

This came with my Dimension 2400 desktop 3 years ago which of course I updated to SP2. I was wondering if it could be used as the operating system for another laptop without one (maybe Dell or Toshiba) for my second computer and still be recognized for all the Microsoft updates. Someday my Fujitsu 655 TX hard drive will use up all of its rotations!

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
No...
by John.Wilkinson Jul 1, 2007 2:15PM PDT

The OEM copy of Windows included by Dell is locked to the specific computer, regardless of whether it's still in use on that computer or not. Thus, technically and legally the project is dead on arrival. However, if you're in the market for a cheap operating system have you considered free Linux distros such as Ubunut?

John

- Collapse -
Reply
by janal95 Jul 1, 2007 6:43PM PDT

Thanks for the tip on the other system. There is a possible used Dell laptop which I may purchase on E-Bay with XP Home installed. I guess if I don't receive the installation disk with it, I will be blocked from downloading the Microsoft security updates and in big trouble if
a complete system restore is needed.

- Collapse -
Fix for your Fuji 665 TX issue.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jul 2, 2007 12:06AM PDT

It's time to back up that hard disk. I suggest Acronis since you can get a copy of that hard disk to DVDR or other such big media.

This is cheaper and less headache than a new licensed copy of XP and then trying to find all the drivers.

Bob

- Collapse -
Reply II
by janal95 Jul 2, 2007 1:29AM PDT

I didn't state the second question correctly. The used laptop on E-bay will come with XP Home installed and running, but without the reinstallation CD. Does this mean I can't update the system with the security KB's from Microsoft? I understand in the event of a total failure that I must buy an unused Dell OEM disk(How could this be?) or new/used full version with COA (I think?).

Thanks

- Collapse -
It's risky.
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Jul 2, 2007 5:10AM PDT

If this were me I would want to know why a laptop running XP doesn't have the original XP installation CD with it. I know that Dell, as with other PC suppliers, do not supply the CD with the package, but I would not expect to sell a computer on eBay or elsewhere without getting that disk from Dell first to include with the sale of the computer.

I would ask the seller questions, and scrutinize their reply for anything that sounds uncomfortable. eg, where is all the paper work for the Dell? Is there a CD? If not, why not? What happens if the Operating System crashes, what fall-back do you have with the seller?

If you purchase that laptop and it crashes when you use it, where are you then?

Just my own reservations.

Mark

- Collapse -
Yes you can.
by YankeesNYwins Jul 2, 2007 6:50AM PDT

Just contact Microsoft and read the numbers and they will read numbers back to you and activate it assuming you are giving them the product key on the computer.

- Collapse -
Not so
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Jul 2, 2007 6:57AM PDT

The CD is an OEM XP CD for an Operating System already installed on a computer. Microsoft will not allow that CD to be used to install on any other computer.

Mark

- Collapse -
THANKS FOR THE INFO!!
by janal95 Jul 2, 2007 8:55PM PDT

Please close the discussion. All the facts of the E-Bay sellers are omitted (buyer beware) or never had a major XP crash. My XP Home SP2
went into a CPU loop using the Network Wizard and baffled Microsoft for 1 week and went up 2 levels in support before a complete restore was recommended. Also, the repair option didn't fix the problem. All is ok now. A real bug!

- Collapse -
Thanks for reporting back.
by MarkFlax Former Forum moderator Jul 3, 2007 2:24AM PDT

Although the discussion can be treated as closed now from your point of view, we will leave the discussion unlocked for a while in case others with similar problems want to see it and comment.

I'm glad you got your problem sorted in the end.

Mark

Back to Windows Legacy OS forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info