Question on license and activation code re:Reinstall

[optech290]

I have a Dell Dimension PC in the office and I think it's time to reinstall
the OS. The registry is crammed with unneeded strings, and I just believe
in having a clean install at least once every two years (even though once
every year is recommended).

I remember that with Windows 2000 you could just reinstall using your OS
disk, however this computer didn't come with one. You have to create the
disk using the Dell utility.

I plan on loading this OS on the same machine and I have all the necessary
keys. Is there any unforeseen problem I will run into with activation?

When did Dell stop sending Windows OS disks? It seems silly to me.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

As long as you use the disks you make on that computer, you should be fine.

Dell was about the last to stop sending media with their new computers.
Why?
To save $
Most if not all the major OEMs have successfully shifted the burden of
making and storing the media from them to their customers.

It is not much $ savings for each computer but multiply that by the number
of computers sold daily and you have a significant savings in an industry
with an already small margin of profit.

 

[Jupiter Jones]

As long as you use the disks you make on that computer, you should be fine.

Dell was about the last to stop sending media with their new computers.
Why?
To save $
Most if not all the major OEMs have successfully shifted the burden of
making and storing the media from them to their customers.

It is not much $ savings for each computer but multiply that by the number
of computers sold daily and you have a significant savings in an industry
with an already small margin of profit.

 

[Tom Scales]

But remember, with current models, you CAN get the XP CD for $10

 

[ANONYMOUS]

You can still buy the OS CD from DELL for £6 (GBP). The CDs are
optional extra at a time when competition is rife in the PC market.
Have you tried phoning DELL in your country? You shuld have your
Express Service Tag handy so that they can tell you exactly how much
they will charge you. The service tag is at the back of the system.

hth

 

[Colin Wilson]

But remember, with current models, you CAN get the XP CD for $10

As you've already paid for the right to use it, in the event of a HD
failure, you have no way of reinstalling unless you can burn one
yourself so are therefore prevented from using something for which you
have paid.

 

[Notan]

As you've already paid for the right to use it, in the event of a HD
failure, you have no way of reinstalling unless you can burn one
yourself so are therefore prevented from using something for which you
have paid.

Huh?

Notan

 

[Jupiter Jones]

As with other purchases of most any other product, the buyer should inform
themselves of the consequences of the particular choice that is made.
All the limitations including what the buyer is prevented from doing are
well known and easy to determine in advance.

If the terms are unacceptable, buyers should buy elsewhere.
Then inform the former seller in writing why the business was lost and who
and why received the business.
If that happens enough, things will change.

 

[Ron Martell]

I have a Dell Dimension PC in the office and I think it's time to reinstall
the OS. The registry is crammed with unneeded strings, and I just believe
in having a clean install at least once every two years (even though once
every year is recommended).

Whoever gave you that recommendation (clean install every year) is
totally out to lunch. I would be very suspicious about any and all
advice coming from such an ill-informed source.

The last time I did a clean install on my personal system was in 1993
with MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows For Workgroups 3.11 on an 80386SX
machine. Everything since then has been done as an upgrade,
including multiple changes of motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive,
CD/DVD, Computer case, Power Supply, etc. etc.

I remember that with Windows 2000 you could just reinstall using your OS
disk, however this computer didn't come with one. You have to create the
disk using the Dell utility.

I plan on loading this OS on the same machine and I have all the necessary
keys. Is there any unforeseen problem I will run into with activation?

Dell OEM versions of Windows XP are BIOS Locked to the Dell
motherboard BIOS and are self-activating when installed on computers
with such a motherboard. They cannot be activated on a computer with
any other motherboard.

On your existing installed Windows XP use Start - All Programs -
Accessories - System Tools and see if there is an "Activate Windows"
item on that menu. If there is not then your OEM version is BiOS
Locked and there will be no activation issues unless you replace the
motherboard with one that is not from Dell. If there an Activate
Windows item on the menu then your OEM Windows XP is an early version
that predates the use of the BIOS Lock (SLP) procedure by Dell. In
that case you will have to activate manually over the Internet but
there should be no issues unless someone else has copied your key and
used it on another computer.

When did Dell stop sending Windows OS disks? It seems silly to me.

At least 2 years ago. It saves them money.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[WSZsr]

Dirty installs or upgrades can be very problematic. I prefer to install
clean. Proper backups make it quick and simple.
For the Dimension line, Dell quit sending out media about a year ago, not
more than two.

 

[Ron Martell]

Dirty installs or upgrades can be very problematic. I prefer to install
clean. Proper backups make it quick and simple.
For the Dimension line, Dell quit sending out media about a year ago, not
more than two.

Last time I counted I had over 100 different application packages
installed on this machine.

It would take me several days of full time work to reinstall all of
these and reconfigure them, provided I could find the original CDs or
downloads for all of them.

Much easier to solve the problems, whatever they are.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a Dell Dimension PC in the office and I think it's time to reinstall
the OS. The registry is crammed with unneeded strings, and I just believe
in having a clean install at least once every two years

Completely unnecessary on a properly maintained system, but it's your
time to spend as you see fit.

(even though once
every year is recommended).

"recommended" by whom, precisely? Not by any experienced and
knowledgeable technicians, the sort who maintain computers for an honest
living. (Although no doubt there are some unscrupulous techs out there
making a living off users' gullibility.)

I remember that with Windows 2000 you could just reinstall using your OS
disk, however this computer didn't come with one. You have to create the
disk using the Dell utility.

I plan on loading this OS on the same machine and I have all the necessary
keys. Is there any unforeseen problem I will run into with activation?

You shouldn't have any problems.

When did Dell stop sending Windows OS disks? It seems silly to me.

Don't know. I never buy Dell's consumer-grade products, and their
business class workstations still come with real (if BIOS-locked)
installation CDs.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell

 

[Ben Myers]

A number of large enterprises routinely reload Windows from scratch on their
computers periodically. Of course, they have regular automated backup in
place, so it is easy to do. Why? Because the Windows registry gets screwed
up, temp files and other junk accumulates, and neither Windows nor most
Microsoft (and other) software packages clean up after themselves.

Rather than an "ill-informed source", the person may, in fact, be very well
informed.

Of course, for the individual consumer, a reload of Windows is time-consuming,
and there are other decent alternatives available, including Windows own
built-in disk clean-up (especially useful after a clean install and update to
delete ~4GB of essentially useless restore points), defrag, Crap Cleaner, and a
whole cottage industry of utility software designed to clean up the Windows
environment... Ben Myers

 

[WSZsr]

I can be back up and running in less than fifteen minutes. Imaging
software makes it simple. Just make an image after the original
installation of your OS AND apps. Faster, better, and easier than a dirty
reinstall.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

A number of large enterprises routinely reload Windows from scratch on their
computers periodically.

Name a few, why don't you? I've never heard of any with so many
otherwise idle IT staffers; it such companies exist, they really need to
can their IT departments.

Of course, they have regular automated backup in
place, so it is easy to do. Why? Because the Windows registry gets screwed
up, temp files and other junk accumulates, and neither Windows nor most
Microsoft (and other) software packages clean up after themselves.

Not on properly maintained systems.

Rather than an "ill-informed source", the person may, in fact, be very well
informed.

Not very likely.





--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell

 

[Ghostrider]

Ben Myers wrote:

Rather than an "ill-informed source", the person may, in fact, be very well
informed.

Perhaps but also pretty damned lazy or working in a grossly
under-staffed IT shop. Creates lots of problems for the user
when applications are deliberately removed and typically not
re-installed. And also potential for loss of vital data with
attendant carelessness.

 

[Tom Scales]

I can name a half dozen, but they wouldn'd appreciate it, as they would
consider the information confidential.

It's good advice for a home system, particularly one where programs are
regularly installed and uninstalled. I personally image my 'perfect
install' and reload it about every 6 months. Takes less than 10 minutes and
the performance increase is staggering. Anyone that believes otherwise is
not very experienced.

Tom

 

[Bob Levine]

Whoever gave you that recommendation (clean install every year) is
totally out to lunch. I would be very suspicious about any and all
advice coming from such an ill-informed source.

The last time I did a clean install on my personal system was in 1993
with MS-DOS 6.22 and Windows For Workgroups 3.11 on an 80386SX
machine. Everything since then has been done as an upgrade,
including multiple changes of motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive,
CD/DVD, Computer case, Power Supply, etc. etc.

Upgrade installs of operating systems? I'd say you can join the other
guy for lunch.

Dell OEM versions of Windows XP are BIOS Locked to the Dell
motherboard BIOS and are self-activating when installed on computers
with such a motherboard. They cannot be activated on a computer with
any other motherboard.

I've used Dell CDs to reinstall the O/S on other brands and using the CD
Key on the sticker on the case had no problem at all activating.

Bob

 

[Ben Myers]

Completely unnecessary on a properly maintained system, but it's your
time to spend as you see fit.

Why not back up your arrogant statement with an explanation of what YOU do to
maintain a system "properly"? ... Ben Myers

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I can name a half dozen, but they wouldn'd appreciate it, as they would
consider the information confidential.

Yeah, riiiight!

It's good advice for a home system, particularly one where programs are
regularly installed and uninstalled. I personally image my 'perfect
install' and reload it about every 6 months. Takes less than 10 minutes and
the performance increase is staggering.

Then you're doing a very poor job of maintaining your system. Were you
to needlessly re-image over a properly maintained system you wouldn't
notice any performance change.

Anyone that believes otherwise is
not very experienced.

Actually, anyone with experience won't rely on "believe," as you do,
but rather have certain knowledge to the contrary.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell