An OEM Windows question

Samtheman1k

Samtheman1k

Samtheman1k

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I want to buy a DELL laptop that will come with Windows XP preinstalled. However, I don't want windows, I want Linux. Can I just delete Windows and install Linux without any problems due to the OEM nature?

(I will obviously lose the OEM Windows license, but I ain't too bothered about that, it's a shame that Dell don't sell laptops without windows, but that's MS for you...)
 
Yes of course you can, your only limitation legally is youre not supposed to put that Windows license on any other machine.
 
Yes, when you install Linux you can tell it to format the disk in LF2, whatever the Linux file system is called.

For the record you won't lose your Windows OEM licence, the product key is stuck on the bottom so you can reinstall with any OEM Windows CD of the same type, Home, Pro, MCE etc. Just be aware that Dells don't ship with a Windows CD anymore, they have the files preloaded and hidden on another partition.

However you could always get Linux to resize the partitions and have a dual boot like I do. Anything is possible.
 
I dont think you will lose your windows license as the code for windows will be on a sticker stuck to the laptop.

So any time you want windows back, get hold of the right version on CD and use the key from the sticker.
 
Jonny69 said:
Just be aware that Dells don't ship with a Windows CD anymore, they have the files preloaded and hidden on another partition.
Click to expand...


Ah...that's what I was wondering about. If I try to partition the disk, I assume it will say that I have 2 partitions? I assume that I can delete both partitions and then create a new partition of the entire disk?
 
Samtheman1k said:
Ah...that's what I was wondering about. If I try to partition the disk, I assume it will say that I have 2 partitions? I assume that I can delete both partitions and then create a new partition of the entire disk?
Click to expand...

I doubt it. It is normally configured in such a way that this partition can only be seen via the dell recovery CD. It's no real problem though- it's not exactly a large partition and you may as well leave it there just in case you do decide to go back to windows :)
 
Trigger said:
I doubt it. It is normally configured in such a way that this partition can only be seen via the dell recovery CD. It's no real problem though- it's not exactly a large partition and you may as well leave it there just in case you do decide to go back to windows :)
Click to expand...


You wont be able to see the partition but you will be able to delete it, Deleting it on my sony laptop freed up about 6GB of space
 
You'll be able to see the recovery partition in linux.
The Dell laptop might also allow you to make a backup cd of the windows install disk - mine did, but I had trouble finding it on a new Dell laptop yesterday, so, they might have stopped doing it by default these days.

S.
 
If you want the operating system cd just get in touch with Dell and request it. I recently bought an outlet 640m and wanted the cd for a fresh MCE install. 5mins using Dells online technical chat program and all the cd's including software and drivers were ordered, no charge aswell :)
 
I just tried to format my laptop using a legit windows XP for the first time. This Windows XP came with my family dell computer...It wont let me format, only reinstall windows.

What has really got me mad is that the CD doesnt read properly...its deleted the current windows folder and won't let me reinstall it!

So now im in the process of "obtaining" another copy of Windows to hopefully fix up this mess!

I need it fixed pronto because I may have a voluntary job transcribing documents in the next few hours!

legit software is always so unreliable
 
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