Dell XP CD: legal and technical Qs

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Dell always includes a full install version of XP with it's PCs. Most
other OEMs include only a recovery CD which puts the same lousy image on
the machine as it was when new.

I have a friend with one of those other PCs. He wants a clean install.
He's got a license and CD key which is on the sticker on the side of the
machine. Is it possible and legal to use the Dell CD and use the CD key
on the other machine to do a clean install?

And the legal is important to me. I haven't brought this up with him
because if it's not, I won't do it. If it is legal, is it technically
possible? I know that the installer is tied to the Dell BIOS but I
believe I read that if you installed it on another machine it would ask
for a CD key and require activation.

It would seem to me that since the other machine has a CD key, this
would be perfectly okay, but I don't the legal aspect of it.

TIA,

Bob

 

[ted]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message news:8rzNc.11363$3k3.4978@trndny02...

> Is it possible and legal to use the Dell CD and use the CD key
> on the other machine to do a clean install?

It seems to me that any limitations on the use of the software
on the Dell CD would [have to] be spelled out in the license
agreement associated with said CD. Do your come with a
shrink wrapped license? Is there one on the CD?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Wait a minute. I think you are getting bad advice. It is legal to reinstall
XP on the machine with which it came ONLY.

I believe you are asking if you can put it on a SECOND machine. That is
clearly NOT legal.

Tom
"Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:8rzNc.11363$3k3.4978@trndny02...
> Dell always includes a full install version of XP with it's PCs. Most
> other OEMs include only a recovery CD which puts the same lousy image on
> the machine as it was when new.
>
> I have a friend with one of those other PCs. He wants a clean install.
> He's got a license and CD key which is on the sticker on the side of the
> machine. Is it possible and legal to use the Dell CD and use the CD key
> on the other machine to do a clean install?
>
> And the legal is important to me. I haven't brought this up with him
> because if it's not, I won't do it. If it is legal, is it technically
> possible? I know that the installer is tied to the Dell BIOS but I
> believe I read that if you installed it on another machine it would ask
> for a CD key and require activation.
>
> It would seem to me that since the other machine has a CD key, this
> would be perfectly okay, but I don't the legal aspect of it.
>
> TIA,
>
> Bob
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

It is legal as he has a license for XP. What media he uses is immaterial.

"Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:8rzNc.11363$3k3.4978@trndny02...
> Dell always includes a full install version of XP with it's PCs. Most
> other OEMs include only a recovery CD which puts the same lousy image on
> the machine as it was when new.
>
> I have a friend with one of those other PCs. He wants a clean install.
> He's got a license and CD key which is on the sticker on the side of the
> machine. Is it possible and legal to use the Dell CD and use the CD key
> on the other machine to do a clean install?
>
> And the legal is important to me. I haven't brought this up with him
> because if it's not, I won't do it. If it is legal, is it technically
> possible? I know that the installer is tied to the Dell BIOS but I
> believe I read that if you installed it on another machine it would ask
> for a CD key and require activation.
>
> It would seem to me that since the other machine has a CD key, this
> would be perfectly okay, but I don't the legal aspect of it.
>
> TIA,
>
> Bob
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Exactly. the sticker is the license.

Gary

"WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:gzzNc.6233$yb3.2941@newssvr22.news.prodigy.com...
> It is legal as he has a license for XP. What media he uses is immaterial.
>
> "Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message
> news:8rzNc.11363$3k3.4978@trndny02...
>> Dell always includes a full install version of XP with it's PCs. Most
>> other OEMs include only a recovery CD which puts the same lousy image on
>> the machine as it was when new.
>>
>> I have a friend with one of those other PCs. He wants a clean install.
>> He's got a license and CD key which is on the sticker on the side of the
>> machine. Is it possible and legal to use the Dell CD and use the CD key
>> on the other machine to do a clean install?
>>
>> And the legal is important to me. I haven't brought this up with him
>> because if it's not, I won't do it. If it is legal, is it technically
>> possible? I know that the installer is tied to the Dell BIOS but I
>> believe I read that if you installed it on another machine it would ask
>> for a CD key and require activation.
>>
>> It would seem to me that since the other machine has a CD key, this
>> would be perfectly okay, but I don't the legal aspect of it.
>>
>> TIA,
>>
>> Bob
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Gary Pigott wrote:

> Exactly. the sticker is the license.
>

Great. So that takes care of the legalities. Has any here actually tried
it with Dell CD? Was my original thought correct? It will install, but
will ask for a CD and need activation?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

A Dell OEM XP CD will install on a non-Dell system, but will ask for a
product key and require activation after installation. It will do the same
if you install it over an existing installation, even on a Dell PC -- the
only installation that won't require a license code nor activation is
installation onto a drive that is either not partitioned or is repartitioned
and reformatted as part of the installation process (i.e., a fresh
installation).

What happens when you try another maker's OEM license key is open to
question - if it's a major (Gateway/e-Machines, IBM, HPaq, etc.), the need
to activate may prompt the need to call Microsoft (in theory at least, just
as a Dell OEM copy doesn't require activation on a Dell, neither should a
Gateway/e-Machines copy on one of their systems.




"Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:dWzNc.10382$Lb4.7901@trndny04...
> Gary Pigott wrote:
>
> > Exactly. the sticker is the license.
> >
>
> Great. So that takes care of the legalities. Has any here actually tried
> it with Dell CD? Was my original thought correct? It will install, but
> will ask for a CD and need activation?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I missed that Tom. You are correct.

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:HP6dnZgKdcGCT5vcRVn-rA@comcast.com...
> Wait a minute. I think you are getting bad advice. It is legal to
reinstall
> XP on the machine with which it came ONLY.
>
> I believe you are asking if you can put it on a SECOND machine. That is
> clearly NOT legal.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Tom Scales wrote:

> Wait a minute. I think you are getting bad advice. It is legal to reinstall
> XP on the machine with which it came ONLY.
>
> I believe you are asking if you can put it on a SECOND machine. That is
> clearly NOT legal.

No, I'm not looking to install it on a second machine. If it's legal,
and if it's possible, I want to use the CD with the other machines
already legally purchased CD key. The one stuck to the side of the case.

Bob

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

OK, gotcha. I don't know for sure it will work (although it likely will, as
XP OEM is XP OEM).

Legal too.

Tom
"Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:s5BNc.1486$Mr3.820@trndny08...
> Tom Scales wrote:
>
> > Wait a minute. I think you are getting bad advice. It is legal to
reinstall
> > XP on the machine with which it came ONLY.
> >
> > I believe you are asking if you can put it on a SECOND machine. That is
> > clearly NOT legal.
>
> No, I'm not looking to install it on a second machine. If it's legal,
> and if it's possible, I want to use the CD with the other machines
> already legally purchased CD key. The one stuck to the side of the case.
>
> Bob
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
newsfydnbuanerleJvcRVn-og@comcast.com...
> OK, gotcha. I don't know for sure it will work (although it likely will,
> as
> XP OEM is XP OEM).
>
> Legal too.
>
> Tom


<snip>


I'd give it a try since those machines have their own (legal) COA's
(stickers). I've read of (but not personally witnessed) someone who claimed
to have done this with a Dell CD to another machine after the original
machine was defunct.

As the post went, the user/owner had to call MS for activation on the
secondary (non-Dell) machine - but again, this is anecdotal.

Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I have done it with a Dell XPH disk onto an Acer
notebook that had its own license, but lost disk.
Worked fine, but did require activation with M$.

"S.Lewis" <fearlessfreep@noyoujump.com> wrote in message
news:LeCNc.24046$QO.5684@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> newsfydnbuanerleJvcRVn-og@comcast.com...
> > OK, gotcha. I don't know for sure it will work (although it
likely will,
> > as
> > XP OEM is XP OEM).
> >
> > Legal too.
> >
> > Tom
>
>
> <snip>
>
>
> I'd give it a try since those machines have their own (legal)
COA's
> (stickers). I've read of (but not personally witnessed)
someone who claimed
> to have done this with a Dell CD to another machine after the
original
> machine was defunct.
>
> As the post went, the user/owner had to call MS for activation
on the
> secondary (non-Dell) machine - but again, this is anecdotal.
>
> Stew
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Ted wrote:

> "Bob Levine" <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net> wrote in message news:8rzNc.11363$3k3.4978@trndny02...
>
>
>>Is it possible and legal to use the Dell CD and use the CD key
>>on the other machine to do a clean install?
>
>
> It seems to me that any limitations on the use of the software
> on the Dell CD would [have to] be spelled out in the license
> agreement associated with said CD. Do your come with a
> shrink wrapped license? Is there one on the CD?
>
>
There's nothing with the CD that would take any of this into
considerations. Like I said, I'm not looking to break any license
agreements or laws. But it's only the media. I want to get a clean
install of XP on a friend's machine.

If I didn't care about the legalities, I'd just try it and find out.

Bob

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

It's legal to install the CD on a PC that already has a license sticker on
the chassis.

Gary

"WSZsr" <nospam@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:MEANc.21267$dA2.10451@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com...
>I missed that Tom. You are correct.
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> news:HP6dnZgKdcGCT5vcRVn-rA@comcast.com...
>> Wait a minute. I think you are getting bad advice. It is legal to
> reinstall
>> XP on the machine with which it came ONLY.
>>
>> I believe you are asking if you can put it on a SECOND machine. That is
>> clearly NOT legal.
>>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Yes, I've tried installing XP Home from the Dell-supplied CD on a non-Dell box,
and succeeded. During installation, it will ask for and you need to supply a
valid product key. Legally, the product key must be unique. After completing
installation, you have 30 days to "activate" the software, either on-line or via
phone (worst case scenario). Activation of the product key causes Micro$oft to
search its data base to see if the product key has been used before. You get
only a few (three is it?) activations for a given product key, before you have
to call by phone, beg, whine, and plead, explaining why the product key has been
used so many times.

In short, the Dell CD appears no different than any other XP Home CD.

.... Ben Myers

On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 21:37:13 GMT, Bob Levine <robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net>
wrote:

>Gary Pigott wrote:
>
>> Exactly. the sticker is the license.
>>
>
>Great. So that takes care of the legalities. Has any here actually tried
>it with Dell CD? Was my original thought correct? It will install, but
>will ask for a CD and need activation?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Bob
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks for the info everyone. I guess I'll give it try. The worst thing
that will happen is I'll use the restore CD it came with.

Bob

 

[mb]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Ben:

Are you saying then that there would be no hassle using my Dell CD to
install XP on a non-DELL machine? (ie: there would be no activation problem
even if XP is still installed on my DELL?)

Mel
<ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
news:4106ff8a.17873098@news.charter.net...
> Yes, I've tried installing XP Home from the Dell-supplied CD on a non-Dell
box,
> and succeeded. During installation, it will ask for and you need to
supply a
> valid product key. Legally, the product key must be unique. After
completing
> installation, you have 30 days to "activate" the software, either on-line
or via
> phone (worst case scenario). Activation of the product key causes
Micro$oft to
> search its data base to see if the product key has been used before. You
get
> only a few (three is it?) activations for a given product key, before you
have
> to call by phone, beg, whine, and plead, explaining why the product key
has been
> used so many times.
>
> In short, the Dell CD appears no different than any other XP Home CD.
>
> ... Ben Myers
>
> On Tue, 27 Jul 2004 21:37:13 GMT, Bob Levine
<robjlevin.nospan@netscape.net>
> wrote:
>
> >Gary Pigott wrote:
> >
> >> Exactly. the sticker is the license.
> >>
> >
> >Great. So that takes care of the legalities. Has any here actually tried
> >it with Dell CD? Was my original thought correct? It will install, but
> >will ask for a CD and need activation?
> >
> >Thanks,
> >
> >Bob
> >
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Pen" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:QKednVAYkq2JkZrcRVn-rw@adelphia.com...
> I have done it with a Dell XPH disk onto an Acer
> notebook that had its own license, but lost disk.
> Worked fine, but did require activation with M$.
>

FWIW, I used a Medion "recovery" CD (which, strangely, actually turned out
to be a full version and not a "recovery" CD) to install XP Home on a Dell
box and it installed perfectly without even asking for a product key.

It did require activation though.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

<ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
news:4106ff8a.17873098@news.charter.net...
> Yes, I've tried installing XP Home from the Dell-supplied CD on a non-Dell
box,
> and succeeded. During installation, it will ask for and you need to
supply a
> valid product key. Legally, the product key must be unique.

Hmm, valid WinXP product keys are apparently like gold nuggets but my
company have just purchased 300 Dell boxes all with an obliging XP product
key sticker on the side.

I was curious as to what would happen if you used one of those keys?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

You would have to call Microsoft to activate and explain why you were using
a key that was already in use by your employer.


"The Social Outcast" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:04INc.9826$AO7.99460280@news-text.cableinet.net...
>
> <ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
> news:4106ff8a.17873098@news.charter.net...
> > Yes, I've tried installing XP Home from the Dell-supplied CD on a
non-Dell
> box,
> > and succeeded. During installation, it will ask for and you need to
> supply a
> > valid product key. Legally, the product key must be unique.
>
> Hmm, valid WinXP product keys are apparently like gold nuggets but my
> company have just purchased 300 Dell boxes all with an obliging XP product
> key sticker on the side.
>
> I was curious as to what would happen if you used one of those keys?
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

MB wrote:

> Ben:
>
> Are you saying then that there would be no hassle using my Dell CD to
> install XP on a non-DELL machine? (ie: there would be no activation problem
> even if XP is still installed on my DELL?)
>

The point is, that you wouldn't be using the Dell CD key. You'd be using
the CD key that is pasted to the side of the other computer.

Bob

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Mel,

Not exactly. Answers to your questions, one by one, below:

On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 02:55:40 -0400, "MB" <mel@prodigy.invalid.net> wrote:

>Ben:
>
>Are you saying then that there would be no hassle using my Dell CD to
>install XP on a non-DELL machine?

No hassle, in the sense that the installation would proceed exactly as tho you
were using a generic Windows XP CD from Microsoft.

ie: there would be no activation problem even if XP is still installed on my
DELL?

Depending on which product key you use, there may or may not be an activation
problem. If you used a product key for which Windows had already been installed
AND activated, you would have an activation problem of some magnitude. If the
product key had never been activated, e.g. it was not the product key taken from
the side of a Dell or other box, activation would be as painless as possible.

The idea behind activation is mindlessly simple. It is to ensure, as much as
possible, the idea of one product key = one computer... Ben Myers

>
>Mel

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"The Thief" <postmaster@127.0.0.1> wrote:
>Hmm, valid WinXP product keys are apparently like gold nuggets

Well, they are the license which allows you to run the OS, and are
hence the expensive/valuable part of the OS kit.

> but my
>company have just purchased 300 Dell boxes all with an obliging XP product
>key sticker on the side.
>
>I was curious as to what would happen if you used one of those keys?

You would be stealing an unauthorized XP install from your employer's
license, and they or M$ might eventually ask you some rather pointed
questions.

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
newsOadnQslDcP2G5rcRVn-ug@comcast.com...
> You would have to call Microsoft to activate and explain why you were
using
> a key that was already in use by your employer.
>

Unless your employer is using a "Site License"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Yeah, then you'd just be stealing.



"Arthur Hardy" <none@u.buissness> wrote in message
news:ISTNc.1167$yo4.639891@monger.newsread.com...
>
> "Tom Scales" <tomtoo@softhome.net> wrote in message
> newsOadnQslDcP2G5rcRVn-ug@comcast.com...
> > You would have to call Microsoft to activate and explain why you were
> using
> > a key that was already in use by your employer.
> >
>
> Unless your employer is using a "Site License"
>
>