XP installation disc

[Bob L]

I was looking at some used PC's today and found a couple of Dell computers
with XP Professional installed. These computers were originally owned by
local businesses and I'm certain that the operating system was legitimately
installed. Of course, the origial installation disc is not included so I'm
wondering how I'll be able to add additional Windows components if I need
to. I have several computers with XP Home installed, each with the
installation disc. Will I be able to use one of the XP Home installation
discs to add components on a computer with XP Professional installed?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You can add some components from the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs/Add
Remove Windows Components. However, some of XP Pro's additional components
may not available from an XP Home cd. What are you wanting to add?

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

I was looking at some used PC's today and found a couple of Dell computers
with XP Professional installed. These computers were originally owned by
local businesses and I'm certain that the operating system was legitimately
installed. Of course, the origial installation disc is not included so I'm
wondering how I'll be able to add additional Windows components if I need
to. I have several computers with XP Home installed, each with the
installation disc. Will I be able to use one of the XP Home installation
discs to add components on a computer with XP Professional installed?

Never buy a computer without OS installation media.

 

[Daave]

I was looking at some used PC's today and found a couple of Dell
computers with XP Professional installed. These computers were
originally owned by local businesses and I'm certain that the
operating system was legitimately installed. Of course, the origial
installation disc is not included

<snip>

Why do you say, "Of course?" The absence of installation media should
be a dealbreaker. How do you know these PCs didn't have non-transferable
volume license copies of XP Pro on them? Unless you already have an
unused retail version of XP, you should stay away from these Dells if
they do not come along with installation media.

 

[Bob L]

I'm not sure what I'd want to add since I haven't seen what is already
installed. I just don't want to have to cough up another $100 or so to buy
another copy of XP.

 

[Bob L]

<snip>

Why do you say, "Of course?" The absence of installation media should
be a dealbreaker. How do you know these PCs didn't have non-transferable
volume license copies of XP Pro on them? Unless you already have an
unused retail version of XP, you should stay away from these Dells if
they do not come along with installation media.

Thanks for the advice. I suppose they could have a volume license copy of
XP which isn't transferable so I should check this out carefully. I plan to
find out exactly what is installed before I buy so how would I be able to
tell if it has a non-transferable version of XP installed? What should I
look for.

This is pretty reputable place (they recycle computers and other electronic
gear sell some of the stuff that still works) and I did buy a used Dell a
couple of years ago from them but it only had Win 98 installed . I added
some memory, bought a large hard drive and a copy of XP Home and it's worked
great since then.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Cough up the money. It's worth it.

I'm not sure what I'd want to add since I haven't seen what is already
installed. I just don't want to have to cough up another $100 or so to
buy another copy of XP.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Simply ask them.

Thanks for the advice. I suppose they could have a volume license copy
of XP which isn't transferable so I should check this out carefully. I
plan to find out exactly what is installed before I buy so how would I be
able to tell if it has a non-transferable version of XP installed? What
should I look for.

This is pretty reputable place (they recycle computers and other
electronic gear sell some of the stuff that still works) and I did buy a
used Dell a couple of years ago from them but it only had Win 98 installed
. I added some memory, bought a large hard drive and a copy of XP Home
and it's worked great since then.

 

[Bill in Co.]

And get it while you can. It won't likely be available in a few more
months, and it definitely will not be available for OEMs come June (unless
MS backs down again).

 

[pfermar]

it that PC come with a sticker on one side of the back with a product key? I
asking you this because, the company that I'm been working with, they gave me
one computer dell with windows XP profesionnal, but they told me to wipe out
the hard drive in order to use that PC, and the sticker at the back of the PC
say windows XP home edition with the product key, so I just used my OEM
version of windows from my gateway, to make a clean installation of windows,
when microsoft told me to retype a valid key I used the number of the sticker
and windows was succesfuly validated

 

[Daave]

Thanks for the advice. I suppose they could have a volume license
copy of XP which isn't transferable so I should check this out
carefully. I plan to find out exactly what is installed before I buy
so how would I be able to tell if it has a non-transferable version
of XP installed? What should I look for.

As Colin said, you need to ask them.

Also, look to see if there is a Certificate of Authenticity sticker
affixed to the computer case. If so, you will see the product key
printed on it.

In the event that this PC does have a valid, transferable XP license,
know that all PC manufacturers are required to provide users with a
method of reinstalling the operating system. There are three methods:

1. Installation disk (Dell calls these "Reinstallation" disks)
2. Recovery or Restore Disk
3. Hidden recovery partition on the hard drive

Methods 2 and 3 are similar; they allow you to revert to the same exact
image your hard drive had on day one (but Method 3 has the added
disadvantage of losing the ability to restore if the hard drive is
shot). Method 1 is preferred because it gives one the flexibility of
performing a repair install in addition to a clean install. In fact, if
it were me, I would only buy a PC if it came with this type of disk.
Also, if you use Method 1, you will also need to have the correct
drivers which will already be on an accompanying disk the store should
include with the purchase of the PC. If not, they may be downloaded from
Dell's Web site. Methods 2 and 3 already have the drivers on the hard
drive image itself.

 

[Bob L]

I did. No disc.

Simply ask them.

 

[Bob L]

What do you mean that you did a "wipe out" of the hard drive before you did
the clean install of the OEM version?

 

[pfermar]

I meant format the HD

What do you mean that you did a "wipe out" of the hard drive before you did
the clean install of the OEM version?