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?

 

[Jim]

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?

Even if this method works, you are by no means done. You need the chipset
drivers, etc., which you can only get from Dell.
Jim

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Even if this method works, you are by no means done. You need the chipset
drivers, etc., which you can only get from Dell.
Jim

Fortunately, Dell makes *that* part easy.

Look at the Service Tag identifier on the back or bottom of the PC, use that
at the Dell Support site, and the correct driver set will be listed for
download.

-pk