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the Dell XP SP3 install CD for SONY

Z

zhuer2009

Junior Member
Hey there,

Sorry for asking this low level question. Days ago my old SONY desktop finally passed away. It turned out to be the HD failure.

I just bought a new HD for it and try to install the XP for it. But here comes the issue. I could not find old SONY's old system recover CD. I happen to have a Win XP install CD from Dell in hand. It is used for install the system for the Dell desktop.

So the following is my question:

1. Can i use this Dell XP Pro SP3 install CD to install on my SONY desktop?

2. I have no idea whether or how many times the Dell XP Pro SP3 install CD has been used. Can I still use it to install in my desktop? No time limitation.

Many thx in advance,
 
1. yes

2. yes, you can still use it. it's the CODE on your case that is important, the cd is just media, i use dell cd's all the time on re-installs of different brands

XP validates really easy, at most you may have to call....easy and automated. Go at it!
 
Then I will go ahead to use that.

Just for the curiosity, is there a system that I can not use its installation CD from one brand to install into another brand computer.

Thx,
 
Those vendor specific CDs contain the drivers for the hardware that each one uses. But since the harware is pretty generic I doubt you'd run into any issue for what you are asking. That said, at worst it may not have drivers for your network card and you may need to hunt it down for yourself then just use windows update on that machine to find the rest.
 
Thx, folks,

This really make me clear about the vendor specific installation CDs. In the beginning I thought there might some sort of barcode in each vendor's machine. If use the different vendor's CD to install another brand PC, it might not pass the checking.

Even the guys from IT support department here tell me seriously that it wouldn't work, what a bunch of douches!!
 
Some of the Dell restore CDs will only install on a computer with a Dell BIOS, so it's possible that it won't work. It can't hurt to try, just be aware that you might have to find a different solution. You can get a replacement disk from Sony as well. They might charge you a shipping/handling fee but it's usually not a significant amount.
 
If the Sony has the XP Pro key, and your Dell XP Pro CD is the OEM version, then everything should be fine. Just need to redo the drivers after everything is done. Those can be downloaded online at Sony's support site anyway.
 
I sometimes do that LOL!
good that most of my computers are dell and that makes my installation very easy. like everything is setup after installation.
 
As a rule, Dell XP discs are just the Windows operating system. They do not contain Dell specific drivers. But if it is a Dell Restore Disc, then it would have drivers and would try to restore the system to as delivered condition. Then it would not work.
 
Thx folks,

I just did it. It turns out to be just a system re-installation CD. But here it comes another issue. I could not activate it with the code printed on its envlope. It kept pup out the notice that product has 30 for activation.

Can anyone give some help? Thx!!!
 
Do both the Dell disc version and the key on the machine version match?

If one is XP Pro and one is XP Home it won't work. If one is XP x64 (yes, Dell did make a few of these) and one is 32-bit, it won't work.
 
It is X32.

I only have one Dell system installation CD, just one. I try to imput the code printed on its envelop. Does not work??

Does that mean there is no way for me to get it activated?

Too bad, I have to install the system again.
 
The Dell CD won't work. Major OEMs have special files on their XP setup CDs. If you look in the I386 folder of you XP CD, you'll find several files beginning with the names OEMBIOS. You'll also find that there's a CD key in the WINNT.SIF text file (which probably does not match the CD envelope).

When you run Windows setup, the OEMBIOS files are cross-referenced with the BIOS on the computer. When the values match up (may be checksums; I'm not sure), the Windows install will automatically activate. If they don't match you're out-of-luck, and the CD key that is on the CD will likely not work via online activation.

My recommendation:
1. Find the OEMBIOS files that correspond to your Sony machine (try here).
2. Copy your XP CD to your hard drive, replace the Dell OEMBIOS files with the ones for Sony.
3. Burn a new Sony OEM XP CD using nLite or whatever tool works for you.
 
zhuer2009 said:
I only have one Dell system installation CD, just one. I try to imput the code printed on its envelop. Does not work??
Click to expand...

You use the code right on the case of the machine your installing on. If the versions are the same you will be fine. Does your Sony have a XP sticker on its case?
 
Yes, the SONY does. But its version is home edition. Current one is pro though.


jjmIII said:
You use the code right on the case of the machine your installing on. If the versions are the same you will be fine. Does your Sony have a XP sticker on its case?
Click to expand...
 
Doesn't matter if the COA is for Home or Pro, as long as the installation media is OEM and you have the right OEM BIOS files. Copy the Dell XP CD to your hard drive. Use nLite to slip stream SP3 into the installation share. Drop the contents of this ZIP file (XP PRO only, not for Home) into the I386 folder (five total files), overwrite the current files, then use nLite again to create a new bootable install CD.

Boot the Sony from the CD and install Windows like normal. It should not prompt you for the product key or to activate (because its already pre-activated).
 
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tcsenter said:
Doesn't matter if its Home or Pro, as long as its OEM and you have the right OEM BIOS files. Copy the Dell XP CD to your hard drive. Use nLite to slip stream SP3 into the installation share. Drop the contents of this ZIP file into the I386 folder (five total files), overwrite the current files, then use nLite again to create a new bootable install CD.

Boot the Sony from the CD and install Windows like normal. It should not prompt you for the product key or to activate (because its already pre-activated).
Click to expand...

you have those oembios files for a toshiba ?
 
Scrap .. just curious .. Did you get an email from me late yesterday or today with the same files (Toshiba XP Home, but without the .sif file) ? ?
 
I am not sure if that file is present on my hard drive. Looking for it now. Just finished looking, Toshiba did not leave those files on the laptop. They would be on the recovery cd which I never got with this machine.
 
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