How do I know if an original Dell XP SP2 cd will install on my laptop?

[Arcadio]

Is there a way to know which laptops or pc's will an original Dell restore CD will support?

 

[bruceb]

First, most Dell CDs that come with the computers are usually an OS CD, a Drivers CD & then CDS for whatevers Apps you paid for. So it will install on any Dell with the use of the correct Drivers CD. If it really is a Restore CD set, then it should say on the packing or on the CD which models it is meant to restore on. A restore cd set, will put the computer back to "as delivered" condition, with all the unwanted / unneeded trial programs & other ad type trash (like AOL) etc, that pc makers love to install on computers, but is usually useless.

 

[Arcadio]

Well, the CD says "Operating System Already Installed On Your Computer" "Reinstallation CD Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2".

No drivers there. I guess it would work on any Dell.

 

[bruceb]

What you have is Dell's version of MS XP Pro with SP2 integrated into it.
Only real change from the MS you get in a store is Dell is an OEM Volume License,
which is embedded in the cd. The cd checks for a Dell BIOS and if it finds one, you
don't need to enter the license code or even activate.

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: bruceb
What you have is Dell's version of MS XP Pro with SP2 integrated into it.
Only real change from the MS you get in a store is Dell is an OEM Volume License,
which is embedded in the cd. The cd checks for a Dell BIOS and if it finds one, you
don't need to enter the license code or even activate.

Thanks. Repped.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
Is there a way to know which laptops or pc's will an original Dell restore CD will support?

Look at the ACPI in the BIOS using Everest or equivalent program and the RSDT and SLIC Tables will have OEM ID listed as DELL and the OEM Table ID will be M08. If both of these are true the Dell Windows XP SP2 OEM CD will work just fine.

For Vista these values will be DELL and M07.

pcgeek11