Windows XP OEM?

[dzaborn]

I purchased a Dell desktop for work that came with XP Pro. I immediately reformatted and loaded Win 2000 on the PC.

My question is, can I take the XP disc that came with that machine and load it on another computer? The activation code is on a sticker on the Dell that was purchased. If the Dell was not pre-activated, I assume I can use the XP licence on another computer... but if XP was pre-activated from Dell, won't loading it onto another PC and using the same activation key result in the licence getting killed because it will think it is being used on two diff PC's? Are OS's usually pre-activated?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks dzaborn

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: dzaborn
I purchased a Dell desktop for work that came with XP Pro. I immediately reformatted and loaded Win 2000 on the PC.

My question is, can I take the XP disc that came with that machine and load it on another computer? The activation code is on a sticker on the Dell that was purchased. If the Dell was not pre-activated, I assume I can use the XP licence on another computer... but if XP was pre-activated from Dell, won't loading it onto another PC and using the same activation key result in the licence getting killed because it will think it is being used on two diff PC's? Are OS's usually pre-activated?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks dzaborn

99 out of 100 you wouldn't be able to even install that OS on another machine. From what I heard before the disc is made in such a way that when being installed it looks for BIOS and when it does that and doesn't see the BIOS is a "Dell" BIOS it won't install the OS at all.

 

[dzaborn]

I know thought that you can buy OEM Windows disks just like the ones your receive with a new PC. They actually have one on special today at NewEgg...

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=37-102-141&depa=0

 

[dzaborn]

bump

 

[dzaborn]

bump

 

[johnjkr1]

I've tested what you are trying to do with a Dell XP disk as well, and it seems to work. It is not attached to the dell bios in any way, which is odd. and it doesnt seem to ever ask for a product ID or activation....i'm still testing this one out though.

 

[dzaborn]

I assume you loaded it on a non-Dell PC? Please let me know what you find.

I am a little confused about BIOS tied activation. Is each disk burned with a setup program that check BIOS version to allow install? or is it something the OS is doing upon bootup each time?

 

[johnjkr1]

The disk loaded fine on a non-dell PC (of course, it wasnt loaded on any other pc) and it didnt ask for a product key or activation....i'm still not 100% certain about the activation yet, that's what i'm testing

 

[alm4rr]

from what I understand on the web, dell xp cd's dont ask for validation

 

[LouPoir]

Yeah - you can load a Dell oem XP CD on any machine. As long as you have not activated it elswhere.


Lou

 

[carmat4]

I installed Windows Xp pro disk that came with dells, on non dell systems with out any problems.

 

[Fraggster]

i did too

 

[johnjkr1]

Did yours ask for activation at some point?

 

[carmat4]

Yes, I still had to activate. Both copies.