Re-installing XP

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Guest

We have 2 PCs both came with XP from Dell. We want to re-format one of them
but can only find one of the re-install disks. Will it matter if we use the
wrong disk in the wrong PC? What will happen, will the other PC's XP stop
working?
 
As long as the two PCs are identical, and I mean in every way, then you
may get the recovery CD to work. Otherwise contact Dell and they will
help you to recover the PC since the OEM image is theirs.
 
I believe oem disk are specific to the machine they were shipped with...you
have a 50/50 chance that you have the correct disk. If you still have the
packaging that came with the disks, you can compare the ID number from the
packaging and the side of the cpu, which has your product id number. I
wrote all that information in the manual that came with my computer for this
exact reason.
You may have luck calling dell and explaining to them the situation, and
they may send you a replacement disk, likely at a cost to you, but not much.
I think what you want to do is possible, but because of the WGA issue, you'd
run into trouble sooner or later.
 
Matt said:
We have 2 PCs both came with XP from Dell. We want to re-format one
of them but can only find one of the re-install disks. Will it matter
if we use the wrong disk in the wrong PC? What will happen, will the
other PC's XP stop working?
Click to expand...


Assuming the two PCs are the same, then the CDs are also the same, and there
should be no problem using either one on either computer.
 
l said:
I believe oem disk are specific to the machine they were shipped
with...
Click to expand...


No, OEM or not, producing an individual CD distinct from all others would be
cost-prohibitive These CDs are created in very large batches and all CDs in
at least the same batch should be identical.
 
I guess I wasn't as clear as I thought I was..I was thinking that there
would be trouble with updates, WGA kind of thing...guess not, :)
 
Matt said:
The 2 PCs are different, a Precision and an Optiplex.
Click to expand...


I don't know anything about the two computers and what differences there may
be between them. It's still possible that the CDs are the same, but I'm not
sure. Perhaps someone else here knows.
 
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