XP Home : Using a Dell key with Retail

stuppy

stuppy

stuppy

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Hi,

I have a Dell Inspiron 9300 laptop, that I have sold to someone on this forum. When I got the Laptop, it didn't come with any Windows XP discs (OEM or any kind of restore disk). Instead they put all the restore crap on a small partition on the hard drive.

I deleted that partition when I first got it - I wasn't thinking a head that one day I would sell the computer and need it - and I was installing my own copy of XP Pro.

So today I have come to install XP Home retail (with SP2 slipstreamed). When I asked me for the Licence Key, i put the key that is on the bottom of the laptop. It would not accept the key. I am guessing that the key on the base of the laptop is only going to work with a Dell branded version of XP Home. Is this correct?

AFAIK, When you buy Dell computers these days you are asked whether you want to have the discs - and yuo can pay for them. Would Dell allow me to buy the discs now so I can restore the computer? Otherwise I am screwed for getting XP on this computer!

any info would be great

Ta
 
So if I can get hold of someones OEM copy of Windows XP Home my key should work? Its not a case of that Key is going to be locked to only be used with a Dell branded OEM disc?
 
i had the same problem with my media center on my lappy, when i came to reinstall media center off of a different disc it would not take the key either. i had to download an oem version and it worked after that. ;)
 
need to get hold of a dell xp oem disc, they all use one key and are pre activated

my mum has xp dell oem disc..
 
Last edited:
Meatball said:
Get it from other sources, it's what I've done for several PCs :)
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i have got a dell inspirion 9400, i previously had a 9300, on the 9300 there was a menu option to creat the xp cd, i presume you didnt do this, you can go to dell uk support/webchat, and they will send you the cds, a complete set for my 9400 is 9 dvds, jsut say your computer has gone wrong, and you cannot put a os back onto your laptop, depending on how you blag them, they will send you them, they sent me mine, if they say the drivers are all on the site, tell them they are all ther ebar the caard reader drivers, wich is true. and at present you have got a laptop you can no longer use at present, they will send you them
hope it helps
 
I'm having a similar issue. I'd formatted my Dell PC and put Linux on it for a while.
Went to put XP Media Centre back on there yesterday and it said the CD wasn't valid.
Guess I need to find an OEM disc now then. :rolleyes:
 
haing had two dells now i can say there support is outstanding yes you normaly have to purchase the is disk and driver cds normaly, but like i said if you do that, they will 8 times out of ten send you the dvds anyhow, always handy if you are going to format it, as soon as i have had mine, i formatted it, took of the hidden partions, adn took of the rubish that dell tends to install, the trials ect. also worth mentioning there is a a special tool on dels site for restoring the partion on your hardrive, it should be listed under support/your desktop/laptop make under support/drivers ect/
anyhow glad you got it sorted
 
DataVampire said:
haing had two dells now i can say there support is outstanding yes you normaly have to purchase the is disk and driver cds normaly, but like i said if you do that, they will 8 times out of ten send you the dvds anyhow, always handy if you are going to format it, as soon as i have had mine, i formatted it, took of the hidden partions, adn took of the rubish that dell tends to install, the trials ect. also worth mentioning there is a a special tool on dels site for restoring the partion on your hardrive, it should be listed under support/your desktop/laptop make under support/drivers ect/
anyhow glad you got it sorted
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EDIT:all you have to do is look for a download or borrow someones oem mce, its perfectly legal, so long as you use your genuine cd key supplied on the back of your pc or under your laptop.
 
DataVampire said:
EDIT:all you have to do is look for a download or borrow someones oem mce, its perfectly legal, so long as you use your genuine cd key supplied on the back of your pc or under your laptop.
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Technically, it's not legal for someone to lend you it but that's pretty trivial in the grand scheme of things.

Burnsy
 
burnsy2023 said:
Technically, it's not legal for someone to lend you it but that's pretty trivial in the grand scheme of things.

Burnsy
Click to expand...

I agree - when you look at it from MS's point of view and the laws they set out, yes it is breaking the law.

But I am using a legit key - so in the real world, its not like I am doing anything wrong.
 
burnsy2023 said:
Technically, it's not legal for someone to lend you it but that's pretty trivial in the grand scheme of things.

Burnsy
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licesnce does not pertian to the media being used so how is that so
if that was so the oem manufacuers would have to supply software for wich they do not have to do
 
DataVampire said:
licesnce does not pertian to the media being used so how is that so
if that was so the oem manufacuers would have to supply software for wich they do not have to do
Click to expand...

I quote:

EULA said:
YOU MAY NOT
LOAN, RENT, LEASE, LEND OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFER THE CD OR
BACK-UP COPY TO ANOTHER USER.
Click to expand...

Like I said, it's pretty trivial, but technically not allowed.

Burnsy
 
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