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    Dell Operating System CD

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by bestco, May 5, 2006.

  1. bestco

    bestco Notebook Consultant

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    Hello,

    I orderd the Windows XP Media Center Edition CD from Dell and just received it today, but the disc doesn't come with any CD key! Am I missing something?
     
    bestco, May 5, 2006
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  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Nope. Dell's XP reinstallation disk does not ask for a key. The disk is only for use on your laptop; your laptop has a COA with a valid key giving you permission to use the OS.
     
    kegobeer, May 5, 2006
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  3. bestco

    bestco Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks.

    Question, can I use the same Dell XP reinstallation CD and the key (appears on my laptop) to install Windows XP Meda Center Edition on a different computer?
     
    bestco, May 5, 2006
    #3
  4. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Can you? There are reports of people having success installing XP using the Dell install disk on other Dell laptops. Most non-Dell computers fail during the install process.

    Are you allowed to? No. Dell's OEM disk is licensed to the laptop and is non-transferrable. Even if it was allowed, you could only have the OS installed on one computer at a time, per the EULA.
     
    kegobeer, May 5, 2006
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  5. rickt

    rickt Notebook Consultant

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    Did you get that disc for free once you received your laptop? Because they are trying to charge $10 for it now.
     
    rickt, May 5, 2006
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  6. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    @rickt - There are a lot of posts on this forum by people who have requested the disc from Dell (after the laptop was delivered) and didn't have to pay for it.
     
    kegobeer, May 5, 2006
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  7. floepie

    floepie Notebook Guru

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    You can do it, but I don't think Windows Genuine Advantage tool will recognize it as a valid install. Without it, you can't get things such as Defender and other bits from MS.
     
    floepie, May 5, 2006
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  8. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    It is unlikely to work on another PC. Dells have been this way for quite some time.
     
    ZaZ, May 6, 2006
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  9. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    a dell OS cd won't work in a non-dell computer. besides being illegal to install on multiple computers, it checks for a bit on the motherboard to "clear". if it doesn't see that bit, it won't install.
     
    drumfu, May 6, 2006
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  10. floepie

    floepie Notebook Guru

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    It will install, it's just that the original key will not work and you won't be able to use the OS after a period of time, although YMMV of course.
     
    floepie, May 6, 2006
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  11. bestco

    bestco Notebook Consultant

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    ok, I found the product key on the bottom of my laptop, and I was able to install the Dell WinXP operating system. The weird thing was, it didn't even ask me for the CD key during installation, I thought someone said you'd need the key found on bottom of your laptop.
     
    bestco, May 8, 2006
    #11
  12. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Remember - you are violating the EULA if you install the Dell XP operating system on any machine other than the laptop.
     
    kegobeer, May 8, 2006
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  13. tongusc

    tongusc Notebook Enthusiast

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    where did u order your CD? i want to order it too for my laptop. Do you know which phone No i should call?
     
    tongusc, May 8, 2006
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  14. Acolyte

    Acolyte Notebook Consultant

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    Acolyte, May 8, 2006
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