Dell Windows Xp reinstall disc

No you can not. It will install, but will Never activate.

It only works with Dell OEM's.

You could give it a try, but usually they are device specific and won't work.

Yes it will work and will probably even activate. Unlike most OEM OS discs Dell's will activate without a problem on almost any system. You can debate the legality of doing so but it will install, activate, receive updates and work the same as any other legit copy of XP. Also I really wouldn't be too concerned about the software police busting down your door for using it.

The Dell XP disks will not activate. They have a bogus cd key that will allow for instal but will not activate. All Dell XP have a Preactivated WPA file on the disks and if installed on a Dell will never ask to activate.

To the OP download VM Ware and install the Dell XP on a Viritual PC and try to Activate it .... It Will NOT work I have tried with XP pro and MCE.

I just wont work.


1Haplo

Eh ok. I've done it and it worked fine. Used the CD-Key that comes with all Dells that was stickered on the back and the "Repair" CD that came with the Dell.

Installed it into a completely new machine (nothing was re-used from the Dell). Worked fine, had to call Microsoft to get the authorization code, and that worked.

I just explained that the old motherboard had blown up (convienent) and it was being reinstalled on a new machine.

Yes, it will activate... but you might have to call MS to get the activation code. Not a big deal really.

The 1-800 number comes up when you try to activate. You just tell them the code you see on screen and just tell them what you want. I told them it burned up so I didn't have to answer a bunch of questions.

Step by Step Reinstallation of Windows on a Dell PC

Step 1: Look at the Windows Product Key sticker on your Dell PC. Write down the version of Windows.

Step 2: Take your Dell Windows Reinstallation CD/DVD and insert it into the cd/dvdrom drive.

Step 3: Press F12 during bootup. Choose boot from CD/DVDRom

Step 4: Follow onscreen instructions and reload windows


If you dont have a Reinstallation CD/DVD, you can go to: http://www.oemsoftwaresource.com or for a replacement.

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey

I temporarily opened this thread to make a comment about the subject, I'm not overriding the moderators decision to close it, that said.

There seems to be much discussion on the right and wrong of the thing.

If the operating system is successfully installed, and Microsoft OKs activating it, well whether its a OEM Dell, Gateway, HP, Compaq, Emachines, doesn't matter in the least.

Microsoft is the owner of the operating system, if Microsoft activates it, I don't see how that could possibly be illegal, maybe they should sue themselves for activating it in the first place.

I've transferred many, many, OEM brand specific WinXP licenses to completely different hardware configurations, and Microsoft through a telephone call has activated every one of them, Microsoft has not refused to activate any of them.

So wheres the illegality in Microsoft activating their own product, when they simply could refuse to do so.

This topic is reclosed. Ryan