Old laptop/new desktop...new HD for laptop: can I use NEW 'puter's

[Guest]

I have 2 Dell's. A laptop that is 3 years old. I just purchased a new
desktop. Both run XP.
I want to get a larger HD for the laptop. For formatting and loading XP,
may I use the NEW disk that came with the desktop (and use the laptop's
security code)? Since the new disk is the SP2 updated disk I figure this one
would be bette than the old disk. Both disks (for laptop and desktop) are
OEM disks. I was told they are machine specific and therrefore the new disk
will not RUN on the old laptop.
Thanx

 

[DL]

Firstly the laptop hd size (dimensions) will likely be smaller than the
desktop hd
Usually you can install a larger laptop hd, then use the Laptop recovery cd
to do a fresh install, generally OEM cd's tied to a system only fail if the
mobo, maybe vid also, is changed.

 

[Guest]

You completely misunderstood the question.
I am NOT installing a new HD in the desktop. I am installing a new HD in
the LAPTOP. I know the dimensions are smaller. I am concerned with the
operating system.
Instead of using the WinXP that came with the laptop, I would like to format
the new HD (in the laptop) with the WinXP from the desktop--as it is an
updated version to the three year old OEM software that came with the laptop.
Is this possible, or are the OEM software disks MACHINE SPECIFIC?
Thanx

 

[Guest]

Is this possible, or are the OEM software disks MACHINE SPECIFIC?

That varies. In some cases they are, sometimes not.

I think you'll find that the Dell discs from ~3yrs ago were only mildly
machine-specific, and should work.

You may have a problem with the serial though, as SP1 serials generally
don't work on SP2 CDs.

You will also need the drivers for the laptop, which should be on a separate
CD.

 

[DL]

No I didnt, however since you refer to disk instead of cd I naturally took
disk as hd
I also stated that OEM cd's can be sys specific