Just a question about dell xp software

[leigh6]

Hi all,

An employee of my brother in law was given a dell dimension 4300 without a hard drive and no software. (I know, I know). I borrowed a friends Reinstallation disk. Installed a new hard drive and started running the disk. I forgot to grab the product key which was on the side of the computer, away from where I was working. Figured I would get it when it asked me for the product key. (My eyesight sucks so it is a pain for me). IT NEVER ASKED ME FOR THE KEY.

Is this normal?

Thanks, Leigh

 

[secretanchitman]

you might have gotten a windows xp volume license cd...which means you can install multiple copies without needing a key. no activation, no windows genuine, no crap!

 

[leigh6]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
you might have gotten a windows xp volume license cd...which means you can install multiple copies without needing a key. no activation, no windows genuine, no crap!

I dont understand. What do you mean by no windows genuine? This was the reinstallation disk he got with his dell. He bought it retail.

Leigh

 

[MrChad]

Yes this is normal.

Dell OEM CDs are normally pre-activated and shipped with the CD key embedded in the WINNT.SIF installation answer file. The user is not prompted for the key during installation.

 

[leigh6]

So. Do I have to change the product key now?

Leigh

 

[SKORPI0]

Same thing happened with my XS M170.

First day of using and going online got hit by Spy Sheriff. Formatted HDD, used recovery CD and installed Media Center 2005. Never got prompted to enter the CD key. Plus side, I did not install any of the bloatware that came with the notebook.

 

[leigh6]

I am concerned, not about this system, but my friends'. In essence if I dont change the product key than I am using his. Correct? I just dont want any problems.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: leigh6
I am concerned, not about this system, but my friends'. In essence if I dont change the product key than I am using his. Correct? I just dont want any problems.

It doesn't matter. As long as you have a valid COA sticker on your machine and you installed using a Dell CD, it doesn't make a difference which Dell CD you use.

Read this article for more information.