Need to create a CD for XP from my system

  • Thread starter Thread starter AAaron123
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A

AAaron123

I have xp on a Dell computer bought in 2003.

I don't imagine I can still get help from them.

I can't find a DELL CD that has XP on it.

Do you know if DELL usually supplies one (and I lost it!)

Or can I build one from my system?



Thanks in advance
 
AAaron123 said:
I have xp on a Dell computer bought in 2003.

I don't imagine I can still get help from them.

I can't find a DELL CD that has XP on it.

Do you know if DELL usually supplies one (and I lost it!)
Click to expand...

Probably not. Call them and ask.
Or can I build one from my system?
No.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

If the original Dell CD was XP and not a recovery disk, you can copy a
friend's CD and use your product key. Just make sure that it's the same
type (Pro vs. Home, OEM vs. Retail).

M
 
you can't build a xp cd.

for one thing it would be an attempt to make
a pirated copy, though we understand it would
be for your use only.

at best you might want to make an image
of the disk and make sure you know the exact
steps of reinstalling the image in the event of
total system failure.

another thing that comes to mind is that perhaps
there is a hidden partition n your disk that has
the files to restore your system back to it original
factory state.

you might want to look up the computers home
site, review the faq's or the user manual for your
model.

one of the search criterions you can use is at
the home site is:

"how to restore computer"

-------------

in any case you are certainly welcome to
contact the manufacturer to acquire the
media for your computer, if it ever came
with any "or"

you can also look here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246

-------------

frankly, if it were me I would acquire a full
version of xp because it has additional
tools to help fix the system in the event
of system failure,

like repair installation and the recovery console.


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M said:
Probably not. Call them and ask.


If the original Dell CD was XP and not a recovery disk, you can copy a
friend's CD and use your product key. Just make sure that it's the
same type (Pro vs. Home, OEM vs. Retail).
Click to expand...

That will work if the friend's CD is the correct type (Home, Pro, or
MCE) *and* if it is a *generic* OEM installation CD.

Better yet would be if the friend has a Dell-branded XP installation CD
(for the correct type). This way, OP doesn't even need a key since Dell
uses a generic one that is BIOS-locked.

To OP, in the past Dell would do one of these three things:

1. Provide an actual XP installation CD (the best scenario).

2. Provide a recovery CD, which would enable you to revert to how things
were the day you received your Dell (including all the obnoxious
trialware).

3. Provide a hidden recovery partition which pretty much does the same
as Option 2. If this is your situation, pressing a particular key
combination (Ctrl + F11, I believe) immediately at bootup allows you to
perform the restore/recovery.

If you go the Dell site (support section) and enter your Service Tag
number, you should be able to determine which method you have. If you
are confused, just post back with the model and model number.
 
Thanks for all the help.

Still working on it.

But did I find my reinstallation CD.

It came attached to a booklet so it did not fit in my CD storage.

Hence I put it some place else, where I knew I could find it :-)

Anyway, It has a bar code with a number on the package

US-xxxxxx-xxxxx-xxx-xxxx

Does that sound like a XP Pro product key?

I also have a Dell CD with drivers ...

I also have an XP Pro from my other computer.

If I have to rebuild the system which D would you use.



Thanks again
 
If your using the Dell XP CD on your Dell computer you won't be required to
activate and won't need to enter a product key.
 
AAaron123 said:
Thanks for all the help.

Still working on it.

But did I find my reinstallation CD.
Excellent!

It came attached to a booklet so it did not fit in my CD storage.

Hence I put it some place else, where I knew I could find it :-)

Anyway, It has a bar code with a number on the package

US-xxxxxx-xxxxx-xxx-xxxx

Does that sound like a XP Pro product key?
Click to expand...

That is not your XP Product Key.

And as long as you have a genuine Dell-branded XP Pro installation CD,
you don't even need to worry about the Product Key since it isn't needed
when you use this CD with a Dell PC.

If you're curious, the Product Key can be found in the winnt.sif file on
your Dell CD. This is a generic key that thousands of other Dell PC
owners share (by design). The only time you need to be concerned about a
Product Key is if you chose to reinstall Windows XP Pro using a
*generic* (i.e., non-Dell) OEM XP Pro installation CD. In that case you
would need to enter the key from the COA sticker affixed to the PC case.

But as long as you have the Dell CD (and it could be *anyone's* CD - as
long as it matches your license; i.e., Windows XP Pro), you need not be
concerned with the key.
I also have a Dell CD with drivers ...

I also have an XP Pro from my other computer.
Click to expand...

What does the above sentence mean? Are you talking about an installation
CD? If so, what is the make and model of that PC and what kind of CD are
you talking about?
If I have to rebuild the system which D would you use.
Click to expand...

You should use the Dell-branded Windows XP Pro installation CD to
install Windows. YOu could either use the Dell drivers CD to load the
drivers or make sure you have already downloaded the latest drivers from
the Dell site, transferred them to an external hard drive (a USB flash
drive of course would be most convenient), and you can use this drive
instead of the Dell drivers CD to install your drivers.
 
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