reinstalling windows xp - product key

[zdotb]

i bought a laptop from dell about 2 years ago and its now time to reinstall
windows. all i recieved was a disc from dell that will restore the computer
to its original state, but that wasnt good enough. dell is now sending me xp
media centre discs and drivers. will i be able to use the same product key
that is currently active on my computer? i believe its a 25 letter and number
key on a little sticker on the bottom of my laptop...is this true, and can it
be used again? thanks

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Because a Dell Windows Reinstallation CD is BIOS-locked to
a Dell motherboard BIOS, you will not be prompted to type in
a product key.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience -
Windows Vista Enthusiast

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

i bought a laptop from dell about 2 years ago and its now time to reinstall
windows. all i recieved was a disc from dell that will restore the computer
to its original state, but that wasnt good enough. dell is now sending me xp
media centre discs and drivers. will i be able to use the same product key
that is currently active on my computer? i believe its a 25 letter and number
key on a little sticker on the bottom of my laptop...is this true, and can it
be used again? thanks

 

[Big_Al]

Because a Dell Windows Reinstallation CD is BIOS-locked to
a Dell motherboard BIOS, you will not be prompted to type in
a product key.

I have a Dell Laptop myself and Carey is right. I don't get the
opportunity to enter a key, nor do I have to go on line and activate.

You should have a 'service tag' on the bottom too. If you go to
Dell.com and enter that under the download drivers page, you will get
all the proper drivers for your laptop. Do so and put them on a CD /
thumb drive, so you can load them later after you load the OS if you
need any of them.

My XP install is just like a retail copy but modified for Dell and this
'locked to the motherboard' thing. So it does not come with Dell
drivers. I can't get on the internet till I load nic or wireless drivers.

Good luck.

 

[Ken Blake]

i bought a laptop from dell about 2 years ago and its now time to reinstall
windows. a

Why? It's never "time" to reinstall Windows. Witha modicum of care, Winodws
never needs toi be reinstalled. The only time you should reinstall is when
you have a serious problem, and all other attempts at troubleshooting the
problem have failed.

all i recieved was a disc from dell that will restore the computer
to its original state, but that wasnt good enough. dell is now sending me
xp
media centre discs and drivers. will i be able to use the same product key
that is currently active on my computer? i believe its a 25 letter and
number
key on a little sticker on the bottom of my laptop...is this true, and can
it
be used again? thanks

Yes.