Can OS supplied with Dell computer be installed on different machine?

[Taqbascoman]

I have sold my Dell Desktop without the Operating System it came with. Since I paid for the OS that came with the Dell Desktop, can I physically and legally install it onto another computer? Will thre be an install porblems putting it on another Dell computer or other brand computer?

Thanks

 

[dbwillis]

I dont think Dell OS's can be installed onto other non Dell machines, they do some type of BIOS check before installing I think...

 

[Taqbascoman]

Hmmm...that stinks...we paid for the operating system!!!

Can they be installed on other Dell Computers?

 

[Spyro]

Can they be installed on other Dell Computers?

Unless something has changed, you can only do this if both computers are the same model.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Taqbascoman
Hmmm...that stinks...we paid for the operating system!!!
Can they be installed on other Dell Computers?

There is alot of confusion around this. It seems that some Dell cd's can be used to install on other systems, and some can not. Also, some Dell cd's check the bios in the boot record and won't boot on non Dell machines (and yes, some will). Confusing eh?

As for the 'that stinks'. It depends on the license, in some cases you may have received the OS at a discounted price tied to a particular machine (although it was probably never spelled out to you like that in offer from Dell). Basically you probably didn't pay the same you would have paid at retail to buy the OS (but have the possible reuse restriction)

I haven't run into a case where a Dell cd wouldn't work on another Dell (different model), but it's not likely to work on ancient machines where the bios may not be bios locked to XP.

In short, if you think your license allows transfer, go try it

Bill

 

[dbwillis]

Or possibly use an OEM or RETAIL CD with your CDKey from that dell....the CDkeys should work on the same media CD's....just the CD's wont work on non Dell PC's

Let me know if you need a CD..

 

[PanzerIV]

Originally posted by: dbwillis
Or possibly use an OEM or RETAIL CD with your CDKey from that dell....the CDkeys should work on the same media CD's....just the CD's wont work on non Dell PC's

Let me know if you need a CD..

Exactly what I was thinking before I got to your suggestion. There isn't any reason his key wouldn't work on a non restore disk version of Windows. Now I have no idea of Dell's licensing restrictions but that aside this method would work fine.

 

[civad]

----> Wouldn't the method suggested by dbwillis violate the licence? (I think most licences state that the 'product' or 'software' may not be transferred to a third party, blah.. blah.... unless ***string of BS restrictions***

 

[civad]

Unless, of course, you sell a piece of hardware and include the cd with it. A la ebay?

 

[Buz2b]

If you have a Windows XP CD ONLY that came with your Dell, you can install it on another system. At worst you will be unable to do the automatic activation key generating process online and have to call MS to get the activation key. This will be because your system would not match the configuration of the Dell. You would simply tell MS that you built/changed machines and they will give you the activation key that will be tied to your new system. However, if you just have a Restore CD and no Windows OS CD, you would indeed be screwed. Dell was doing this for a long time but I thought they changed to issuing an OS CD. I know my new Dell lappy came with a shrink wrapped XP Home CD. I could easily install it on another machine; assuming I sold the lappy without an OS. Hope this helps. Hey, if all else fails, call Dell support or go online to their user forums and ask.