dell new pc "reinstallation CD" xp professional

[mattg3]

I received one of these cds with my dell laptop. Is this just a regular windows XP professional cd that could be installed on any old computer or is there something uniquely dell about it?

Matt

 

[igowerf]

I think it's uniquely Dell. I've used my CD before after reformatting. It didn't prompt me for a serial key, and the default serial key that it uses seems to be the same for all Dell laptops. I was able to find it on Google and it also did not match the key that I have on the COA.

 

[V00DOO]

If you install from Dell's CD on Dell's computer no CD Key or Acitvation required, but if you install it on a non Dell computer than activation is require.

 

[leolaw]

I think it is just a recovery cd right?

If you put it into a non-Dell computer, the CD would check the BIOS, if the BIOS doesnt match certain code in the CD, it will not boot the cd.

Thatz what I believe, however if you wanna further confirm the function of the CD, you should post the cover of the CD.

 

[Trezza]

can you get away without activating? what happens if you don't and is there a way around it?