Dell Repair/ Install Disk Question!

[ZeroFrag]

We currently have a couple (about 17) dell OptiPlex desktops in use. I seem to have lost a couple of the install CD?s that came with the system. I?m wondering, since they are all the same system, if I could just extract the WinXP Pro CD key from the computer, and use one of the Install CD?s from one of the other Dell systems.

A lot of the systems have a lot of junk on them, and it is a lot easier to just do a clean install then it is to try to pick out what I should keep, and what I should delete.

Are the install CD?s keyed for a specific system, or should I be able to use them as long as the model is the same?

How can I find the WinXP CD key on the systems so I can reinstall from the Install CD.

Thank you,

Thomas S.

 

[JW310]

You should be able to use the same Dell OS reinstall CD for all of the systems. As far as I know, it's not so much a restore CD as it is a regular Windows XP setup CD. And it doesn't necessarily even need to be the same model of system, either. I've used a Dell OS install CD from a Dell notebook to reinstall Windows on Dell desktop systems without any problems.

As far as the key goes, there should be a sticker somewhere on the outside of the case on each system that has the product key for that system.

JW

 

[Parkre]

If no sticker or it's "gone", then you can download a windows Cd key exractor program from .... the internet....

 

[JW310]

Originally posted by: Parkre
If no sticker or it's "gone", then you can download a windows Cd key exractor program from .... the internet....

Yep. I find that Magical Jellybean Keyfinder does a pretty good job for that.

JW

 

[TwoBills]

Go here link and click the download tab.