WINXP re-install

[Ken]

I have been given a second hand Dell Dimension 2400 that has WINXP Home
Edition installed. I want to re-install the OS but the Dell CD set did not
come with the unit. I talked to Dell and they could not help me since the
unit was out of warranty. The unit does have the orginal WINXP product key
label on the side of the case. Can I re-install the OS from another CD set,
say WINXP Professional and use the attached product key to make sure that the
software will continue to run and be validated by Microsoft? Or can I try to
find a WINXP Home Edition install CD and then use the same product key that
is still on the case label for validation? The system is so slow that a
reload is my last attempt to get any performance back. Will either of these
ways work?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have been given a second hand Dell Dimension 2400 that has WINXP
Home Edition installed. I want to re-install the OS but the Dell
CD set did not come with the unit. I talked to Dell and they could
not help me since the unit was out of warranty. The unit does have
the orginal WINXP product key label on the side of the case. Can I
re-install the OS from another CD set, say WINXP Professional and
use the attached product key to make sure that the software will
continue to run and be validated by Microsoft? Or can I try to
find a WINXP Home Edition install CD and then use the same product
key that is still on the case label for validation? The system is
so slow that a reload is my last attempt to get any performance
back. Will either of these ways work?

General advice - when it comes to a second-hand computer (one you did not
purchase new yourself) --> always wipe it and start fresh. This way you
know what you have and you have no 'left-overs' from the prior owner.

Given this:
"The unit does have the orginal WINXP product key label on the side of the
case."

You can *maybe* do this:
"Or can I try to find a WINXP Home Edition install CD and then use the same
product key that is still on the case label for validation?"

The trick will be to find a Windows XP Home Edition *generic* OEM CD. Even
then - there is no guarantee it will work. (A Retail or Upgrade type of CD
will not work. It needs to be an OEM license type and the generic is to
ensure there has been no modifications that 'BIOS Lock' that CD to a certain
make/model of computer.)