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    Can I use the OS installation discs to...

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by stephen6119, Mar 16, 2008.

  1. stephen6119

    stephen6119 Notebook Consultant

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    Can I use the Vista installation discs that came with my m1330 to install Vista on my old Dell Dimension 5100 that currently has XP? Which discs would I use and how would I do this?

    I'm not saying that I'm going to do this, I'm just curious.
     
    stephen6119, Mar 16, 2008
    #1
  2. steve511

    steve511 Notebook Consultant

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    of course you can. its just an operating system. it can be installed on anything that will run it. its the drivers that can be specific to the machine.

    if you go to future shop you dont see

    vista for inspiron
    vista for xps
    vista for dimension
    vista for vaio
    vista for satellite

    you see vista. and it will install on any machine meeting the system requirements.
     
    steve511, Mar 16, 2008
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  3. stephen6119

    stephen6119 Notebook Consultant

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    So do I just pop the disc in after backing up my files?
     
    stephen6119, Mar 16, 2008
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  4. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Yes, but you need another Vista key if you want to activate the machine.
     
    Lithus, Mar 16, 2008
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  5. shawnhao

    shawnhao Notebook Consultant

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    No actually...Dell goes by the OEM volume licensing, meaning that YES, you will be able to install Vista WITHOUT the need for activation on the DELL systems that meets the BIOS requirement on Dell backup DVD.

    Since it is much of a hassel to go through the activation process everytime when you install vista, most OEMs abridge the process via VLS, but your version of the BIOS must be Dell (well...obviously...) and must meet the version requirement set forth by Dell...check on Google to see if your version of the BIOS supports that...and if it doesn't, it may still be possible to get a BIOS update (or a custom BIOS for that matter) that works...
     
    shawnhao, Mar 16, 2008
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  6. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Yes, without another key it (1) will not work and (2) is illegal to do.
     
    Greg, Mar 16, 2008
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  7. stephen6119

    stephen6119 Notebook Consultant

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    So uh.....does that mean I shouldn't do it :confused:?
     
    stephen6119, Mar 16, 2008
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  8. Sir Travis D

    Sir Travis D Notebook Deity

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    No you cannot. It is meant for one computer.
     
    Sir Travis D, Mar 16, 2008
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  9. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    I'm going to try again.

    One license, one computer.

    That is how it works, that's also the law.

    Can you use the disc to install Vista? Sure, but you'll also need another license.
     
    Lithus, Mar 16, 2008
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  10. SpeedyMods

    SpeedyMods Notebook Deity

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    Will it work? Yes, without issue. Is it legal? No. End of story. There will not be any sort of deactivation.

    Greg
     
    SpeedyMods, Mar 16, 2008
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  11. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Thread closed because there's too much talking about piracy. Read the forum rules steve511.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Mar 16, 2008
    #11