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Installing XP on a dell pc without the dell XP disc?

D

de8212

Diamond Member
On my wife's pc she got a primary drive not found error. Rebooted and then got a hal.dll error. I searched online a bit and so far nothing has helped (last known good config, Repair console, etc). I am going to pull the drive tomorrow and hook it up as slave to mine to see if I can salvage some data. In the mean time I am getting prepared to reinstall XP.
I'm sure it's all been heard before but she can't find the XP disc that came with it. It does have the XP code on the case though. I know from a past similar experience that my XP cd will not work with her XP code. So unless something's changed, what are my options?
 
Have you contacted Dell to see if you can get a replacement cd from them? Also, check documentation with Dell. There may be a way to resotre to original from a hidden particitian. Obviously that would clear your data. Do this after you see if you can recover data.

If you can't get a replacement cd from Dell and if no way to restore OS, you will have to purchase a new copy of XP and install.
 
Haven't tried dell. Do they give out replacement OS discs? I definately won't buy one.
I think i have one at work that I can try.

Bottom line is I know I can get XP back on the machine, I was just hoping to do it with the original cd key.
 
Originally posted by: de8212
Haven't tried dell. Do they give out replacement OS discs? I definately won't buy one.
I think i have one at work that I can try.
Click to expand...
Save yourself a lot of pain and call Dell and get their CD. Even if you have to pay $20 for it.
 
Originally posted by: de8212
Haven't tried dell. Do they give out replacement OS discs? I definately won't buy one.
I think i have one at work that I can try.

Bottom line is I know I can get XP back on the machine, I was just hoping to do it with the original cd key.
Click to expand...

Do they normally charge... sometimes. I got mine for free I told them I needed to reinstall because my OS was hosed, and my restore partition wouldnt work.
 
Well, I took the advice of calling dell tonight. After a lengthy hold I was informed they no longer sell the OS cd's. Wonderful.

I want to tread lightly as to not get this thread closed but have a few follow-up questions.

Just to repeat this is on a Dell that came with XP Pro and it has a legit product key sticker on the side. Now that that is out of the way...
I also have a Dell laptop in which I took a copy (not my original disc, just a copy I keep at work) that I wanted to install XP on and just enter her product key at the prompt. Well, I had forgotten that the my copy had the serial # slipstreamed into the install. As you can see I do not want to run this way. I want heres to have her product #.
So I thought, well, i'll just change the product code by deactivating windows and then enter here.s It says "Incorrect product key". Great.

So I figure I will call MS with the toll free # and explain and they will give me a new #. I haven't tried but I don't think I can because it doesn't even give me the Installation ID that I am supposed to give to the representative.

Sooooo, as you can see I am stuck. Now I can install XP on this with no problem but I want to install her code on her machine.
Anything else I can try?
 
Well, I took the advice of calling dell tonight. After a lengthy hold I was informed they no longer sell the OS cd's.
Click to expand...

Sure they do, there's one sitting right here in my desk drawer.

Anyway, just restore the factory image from the hidden partition. Plug your service tag into the Dell support website and you should be able to get instructions on the keystroke needed to get there.

BTW, the XP serial number should be on a sticker on the PC.
 
Originally posted by: Questar
[Sure they do, there's one sitting right here in my desk drawer.

Anyway, just restore the factory image from the hidden partition. Plug your service tag into the Dell support website and you should be able to get instructions on the keystroke needed to get there.

BTW, the XP serial number should be on a sticker on the PC.
Click to expand...

Not according to some indian guy. You can call his extension if you want. 800-999-3355. Press 1 and then his extention 7242980. I can also give you my case # if you wish.
I called them about 10 minutes before I posted. Either he is lying (which I can't see why he would) or the person in sales he talked to is (not sure why they would either).
Either way, her hd is toast. I made another thread on it and tried stuff for several days. Nothing.
Of course her product code is on the sticker on the side of the pc. I never stated that I needed a product code.

Nevertheless, i just installed a nice copy of XP and everything works fine. I am no anti-MS/dell guy but this was ridiculous. They make it tough for the people trying to be honest. It's easier not to be!
 
When you buy a Dell, you are offered a Restore disk for about $10. You can check the box to buy or you may have missed that fact.
Dell Windows XP Pro

If you really want to get a XP Home disk, call Dell.
 
Thanks. Now way I am getting ripped off for ~$12 shipping for that ebay link.

Just for the heck of it I am gonna request the cd as suggested. Either way I'm good now. OS is installed and everything is activated.
 
Originally posted by: pkme2
When you buy a Dell, you are offered a Restore disk for about $10. You can check the box to buy or you may have missed that fact.
Dell Windows XP Pro

If you really want to get a XP Home disk, call Dell.
Click to expand...

Dang, of all things to ebay.

I've got a drawer full of those things, I could make some money.
 
I forgot to update this thread. So , I never could get through to the Dell online chat. I ended up sending them an email. Wihin an hour I got a response apologizing for what the guy told me earlier (taht they no longer mailed out OS cd's). They asked for some info and said they owuld mail a cd out for free. I got it today. Windows is already installed but if I ever need it agai, I'll definately have the disc.
 
Originally posted by: de8212
I forgot to update this thread. So , I never could get through to the Dell online chat. I ended up sending them an email. Wihin an hour I got a response apologizing for what the guy told me earlier (taht they no longer mailed out OS cd's). They asked for some info and said they owuld mail a cd out for free. I got it today. Windows is already installed but if I ever need it agai, I'll definately have the disc.
Click to expand...


Is this where I get to say I told you so?

🙂
 
Originally posted by: Questar
Originally posted by: de8212
I forgot to update this thread. So , I never could get through to the Dell online chat. I ended up sending them an email. Wihin an hour I got a response apologizing for what the guy told me earlier (taht they no longer mailed out OS cd's). They asked for some info and said they owuld mail a cd out for free. I got it today. Windows is already installed but if I ever need it agai, I'll definately have the disc.
Click to expand...


Is this where I get to say I told you so?

🙂
Click to expand...

..awww........... go ahead..I'm listening.........🙂
 
Originally posted by: de8212
They asked for some info and said they owuld mail a cd out for free. I got it today. Windows is already installed but if I ever need it agai, I'll definately have the disc.
Click to expand...
Be glad you have a Dell and not a Gateway. A client told me that Gateway wanted $300 for a replacement XP Home CD (her PC was out of warranty).
 
As I said previously in another thread. If your're nice and patient with Dell, nice things come to those who are.......
 
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