Dell WindowsXP install CDs

[Sukhoi]

I have the WindowsXP Home SP2 CD that Dell sent me for my 700m. Is this a plain WinXP install? Or does it have all the Dell junk built in?

 

[cambo357]

all my Dell XP discs have been custom ones with Dell specific stuff. Nothing that was too bad that I wouldn't use it for a non Dell system. However, it is likely not legit to do so.
On my Inspiron 6000 that I just got, it came with no CD, you are just supposed to use the restore info on the drive. I hate some of the stuff that came installed on it by default, like MusicMatch. There was no way to configure it without it.

-Cambo

 

[Sukhoi]

A FYI that for your Inspiron if you complain they will send you your CDs. I went in through the online chat and it only took me 15 minutes.

 

[bacillus]

whilst the system didn't come with an xp cd, there is a facility to make just one cd assuming your system came with a burner by using the method described in this link

 

[MrChad]

Well, AFAIK it's specifically for Dell in that it won't install on non-Dell machines. It also adds some Dell OEM stuff (e.g. support links in your System properties) that's not included in the original install. Beyond that, there's no additional software in the Dell OEM CD versus other Windows CDs.

 

[jamesbond007]

Hm, my Dell WinXP Pro/SP2 disc came without anything on it...just Windows, no MusicMatch, nada. I was thrilled to have such a clean disc to install from, but are/have they changed it since then? I bought my XPS Gen4 in January. Do the Windows discs come with the bloatware on them now?

 

[cambo357]

the CD I have is from a couple of years ago, so it isn't something really new. I wouldn't say it is bloatware, just a couple of Dell specific things, support-wise.
bac, thanks for that link, I will do that ASAP.

-Cambo

 

[Nocturnal]

It's basically a Windows XP Home/Pro OEM version and will install on any computer that uses an OEM cd-key however it is illegal to do so.

 

[Bozo]

All the Dell CDs that I have tryed to load on a non-Dell PC won't run. They load the OS okay, but on the final boot, a message pops up saying it won't run because it's not a Dell PC.

Bozo

 

[RVN]

I've installed a Dell XP Home on an E Machine and upon first boot, changed the product key to the correct E Machine one. The E Machine disc was missing and I copied the correct product key off of it prior to re-installation.