Reinstalling XP Home on Dell without original reinstall disc?

[redyellowgreenblue]

Hi

I've got a Dell desktop that I want to reinstall Windows XP Home on
(I'm on SP3 at the moment).

I have no idea where my reinstall disc is. What I do have is the OEM
code that's on Control Panel/System. I also have the stick which tells
me the product key. These two codes are different - which I didn't
expect.

Can I just buy a cheap Windows XP Home disc off Ebay and then use my
own codes?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi

I've got a Dell desktop that I want to reinstall Windows XP Home on
(I'm on SP3 at the moment).

I have no idea where my reinstall disc is. What I do have is the OEM
code that's on Control Panel/System. I also have the stick which tells
me the product key. These two codes are different - which I didn't
expect.

They two codes serve two different purposes, and are supposed to be
different.

The Product *ID* is created during the installation process and is
prominently displayed on the General Properties tab of the My Computer
icon. It is used to obtain/qualify for technical support (limited
though that may be) from Microsoft.

The Product *Key* is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate license
and is required to perform the installation, and is either stored on the
CD packaging on a bright orange sticker that says "Do not lose this
number," or is on a label affixed to an OEM computer.

Can I just buy a cheap Windows XP Home disc off Ebay and then use my
own codes?

Provided you manage to obtain a generic, unbranded OEM installation CD,
yes. Your Dell's OEM Product Key will work only with the Dell Recovery
CD meant for that specific model, or a generic OEM CD. It won't work
with a retail CD or another manufacturer's Recovery CD.

However, getting a legitimate license or installation CD of any kind
from eBay is something of a crap shoot. One should be very careful
buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure
that such sales are legitimate. eBay reacts only when someone files a
complaint, and then all that really happens, especially in the case of
the many deliberate fraudsters, is the seller of the pirated software
returns using a different alias, to continue selling illegitimate licenses.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Gary Brandenburg]

They two codes serve two different purposes, and are supposed to be different.

The Product *ID* is created during the installation process and is prominently
displayed on the General Properties tab of the My Computer icon. It is used to
obtain/qualify for technical support (limited though that may be) from Microsoft.

The Product *Key* is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate license and is
required to perform the installation, and is either stored on the CD packaging on a
bright orange sticker that says "Do not lose this number," or is on a label affixed
to an OEM computer.




Provided you manage to obtain a generic, unbranded OEM installation CD, yes. Your
Dell's OEM Product Key will work only with the Dell Recovery CD meant for that
specific model, or a generic OEM CD. It won't work with a retail CD or another
manufacturer's Recovery CD.

However, getting a legitimate license or installation CD of any kind from eBay is
something of a crap shoot. One should be very careful buying any software on
eBay, as eBay makes no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate. eBay
reacts only when someone files a complaint, and then all that really happens,
especially in the case of the many deliberate fraudsters, is the seller of the
pirated software returns using a different alias, to continue selling illegitimate
licenses.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great
many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

You could access the hidden restore partition which will revert everything back to
factory settings: http://tinyurl.com/366vey
It'll probably include all the crapware that comes with the new PC.

Or you can order a replacement CD from Dell: http://tinyurl.com/2fexsp

~Gary

 

[Jim Dell]

Hi

I've got a Dell desktop that I want to reinstall Windows XP Home on
(I'm on SP3 at the moment).

I have no idea where my reinstall disc is. What I do have is the OEM
code that's on Control Panel/System. I also have the stick which tells
me the product key. These two codes are different - which I didn't
expect.

Can I just buy a cheap Windows XP Home disc off Ebay and then use my
own codes?

See
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php?t31201.html

Jim

 

[redyellowgreenblue]

You could access the hidden restore partition which will revert everything back to
factory settings:  http://tinyurl.com/366vey
It'll probably include all the crapware that comes with the new PC.

Or you can order a replacement CD from Dell:  http://tinyurl.com/2fexsp

~Gary

Hi all

That's just what I did - I pressed CTRL + F11 at start up to access
the hidden menu to restore the computer back to factory settings - no
messing around with keys or codes; works beautifully! Feels like I've
bought a new computer.

 

[Steve]

For the future, you can get these cd's from Dell:
https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form
Steve