Formatted hdd, installed xp pro, but it didn't ask for product ID

[J Mac]

It's a Dell 3000. One of the memory sticks failed. I got a new one and
installed,
but the process had already messed up the OS sufficiently that I decided to
try an OS repair.
It didn't let me get through the process so finally I gave up and formatted
the drive.
I always delete all partitions and then do a thorough format in this kind of
situation.

The totally weird thing that I don't understand is that it didn't ask for
the product key
in the process. It is xp pro. The Dell installation disk is with SP1.

Please someone explain this to me. Thanks so much!!!

 

[Jim]

It's a Dell 3000. One of the memory sticks failed. I got a new one and
installed,
but the process had already messed up the OS sufficiently that I decided
to
try an OS repair.
It didn't let me get through the process so finally I gave up and
formatted
the drive.
I always delete all partitions and then do a thorough format in this kind
of
situation.

The totally weird thing that I don't understand is that it didn't ask for
the product key
in the process. It is xp pro. The Dell installation disk is with SP1.

Please someone explain this to me. Thanks so much!!!

Its an OEM disk. Aren't these disks pre-registered by Dell?
Jim

 

[J Mac]

Jim

I don't think the Dell disk has the product key built in. Or at least, I
never thought so.

 

[Richard in AZ]

As long as you use it with the same motherboard, you do not have to type in
the Key Code nor activate. However, just try a replacement MB and watch
the fun.

 

[J Mac]

Okay, thanks Jim and Richard, I didn't realize that the Dell installation
cd worked like that.

 

[Mistoffolees]

Okay, thanks Jim and Richard, I didn't realize that the Dell installation
cd worked like that.

It sure does. It is known as a bios-locked install version.