WinXP Pro: Reinstallation CD for Dell

TheJoonSpirit

Member
Sep 13, 2003
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I have a WinXP Pro Reinstallation CD for a Dell computer and want to install it on a new computer that is not a Dell. Why is it called a reinstallation cd and will it work?
 

MattTheTech

Member
Dec 21, 2002
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it may or may not work.. probably not though..

a reinstallation cd (otherwise known as a restore cd), usually does not install windows normally, as you would yourself, but rather installs an 'image file'.

in other words, they take a machine (thats the exact same as yours), and install windows.. drivers.. software.. and copy that installation to a cd as an image file.. then just put that image on all of those pcs.. so they dont have to manually install everything to every pc seperately

(thats just a very basic explanation, but works :) )

 

RhythmAddict

Member
Sep 15, 2003
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It definitely will not work. For one, the Dell CD has the drivers that are built for the Dell system, specifically. The majority of the time, if you have incorrect drivers, the system will just crash/blue screen/etc. However, you won't have to worry about any of that because you won't get that far. You'll pop the dell cd in the drive of the non-dell and in a couple of minutes (seconds?) it'll say somethin like "this is not a dell PC, aborting"
Pretty sure it checks out somethin in the BIOS..who knows...point is, it won't work. sorry man!