jesse83189
Technical User
can you use a dell factory vista/xp os cd on any computer like an hp or gateway??? thanks
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Dell factory os cd
- Thread starter jesse83189
- Start date
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Legally No.
Practically you might be able to, but its unlikely.
Normally OS CD's from specific manufacturers are specific to the Hardware and Brand they came from.
So they won't even begin to install, and if they do, the license cd keys will not work across different brands.
And if you try use a Key that is in use in another machine, you'll be breaching the EULA agreement.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
Practically you might be able to, but its unlikely.
Normally OS CD's from specific manufacturers are specific to the Hardware and Brand they came from.
So they won't even begin to install, and if they do, the license cd keys will not work across different brands.
And if you try use a Key that is in use in another machine, you'll be breaching the EULA agreement.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
ArizonaGeek
IS-IT--Management
I think with the Dell disk you're ok (but you cannot use the same registration key from a Dell on another PC) only because the Windows disk is just that, a Windows disk. Dell doesnt add anything proprietary to it including drivers, which means it SHOULD install.
Now I am not 100% sure on that, especially the legality of it, but I would think it would be ok to use if you have your key from the HP or Gateway. Microsoft would be the correct place to ask that question. Now like Phil said, the HP registration key might not work after all it is a Dell OEM disk.
You're almost safer calling HP or Gateway and spending the $20 to $40 to get a new disk (at the very least you'd probably get a driver disk as well) or buying a new full registration Windows disk.
Microsoft is very particular about their disks. They get a little weird sometimes. You don't want to get 2 or 3 months down the road, everything loaded and just the way you like it only to get a little pop up saying your copy of Windows is pooched and wont let you access anything.
Cheers
Rob
The answer is always "PEBKAC!
Now I am not 100% sure on that, especially the legality of it, but I would think it would be ok to use if you have your key from the HP or Gateway. Microsoft would be the correct place to ask that question. Now like Phil said, the HP registration key might not work after all it is a Dell OEM disk.
You're almost safer calling HP or Gateway and spending the $20 to $40 to get a new disk (at the very least you'd probably get a driver disk as well) or buying a new full registration Windows disk.
Microsoft is very particular about their disks. They get a little weird sometimes. You don't want to get 2 or 3 months down the road, everything loaded and just the way you like it only to get a little pop up saying your copy of Windows is pooched and wont let you access anything.
Cheers
Rob
The answer is always "PEBKAC!
goombawaho
MIS
Vacunita - you are incorrect on this one as long as it's not a manufacturer system restore/recovery disk you're talking about. THOSE CDs supply programs/drivers, etc. that a regular XP CD does not. If someone just wants to load just XP, it will work.
A little bird told me that he uses a Dell OEM XP Home and/or Professional CD all the time to load other brand computers with no issues at all. All it does is throw a DELL folder in the root of the C: drive.
Activate windows per usual using the Key Code off the sticker on the Gateway/HP/Whatever PC and you are good to go.
That little bird is flying away now as we speak.
A little bird told me that he uses a Dell OEM XP Home and/or Professional CD all the time to load other brand computers with no issues at all. All it does is throw a DELL folder in the root of the C: drive.
Activate windows per usual using the Key Code off the sticker on the Gateway/HP/Whatever PC and you are good to go.
That little bird is flying away now as we speak.
I've encountered some Manufacturers CD's that will not initiate XP installation if the hardware doesn't match. I believe it was a Compaq CD, for a laptop.
It said the machine I was trying to install it on was not a Compaq Presario XXXX model etc.. and could not continue.
I never said he could not do it, it just said it was unlikely to work.
Additionally a CD from another MFG will not contain the drivers for the hardware so they'll have to be downloaded also.
Yes you may be able to install Windows, but the CD keys used by different Manufacturers usually don't work on different CD's. a HP OEM CD key will work only with HP supplied CDs.
A Dell OEM CD key will work usually only with Dell OEM CDs,
etc..
If you are using an HP CD to install Windows you'll likely need an HP key and if that key is in use on another computer then you have EULA infringement.
In conclusion yes it may be possible to do, but I would not count on it working 100% of thew time.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
It said the machine I was trying to install it on was not a Compaq Presario XXXX model etc.. and could not continue.
I never said he could not do it, it just said it was unlikely to work.
Additionally a CD from another MFG will not contain the drivers for the hardware so they'll have to be downloaded also.
Yes you may be able to install Windows, but the CD keys used by different Manufacturers usually don't work on different CD's. a HP OEM CD key will work only with HP supplied CDs.
A Dell OEM CD key will work usually only with Dell OEM CDs,
etc..
If you are using an HP CD to install Windows you'll likely need an HP key and if that key is in use on another computer then you have EULA infringement.
In conclusion yes it may be possible to do, but I would not count on it working 100% of thew time.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
goombawaho
MIS
Installation cannot continue" messages.
That only happens if the CD does a BIOS check. The original poster asked about a Dell CD and a Dell CD will work - 100% of the time as long as you have A) a functioning system and B) a valid XP key code. Dell/XP CDs dont' do a BIOS check which will stop installation on a non-Dell PC.
"Additionally a CD from another MFG will not contain the drivers for the hardware so they'll have to be downloaded also."
It doesn't matter, you can load XP and then download all the drivers you want from the manufacturer's web site. XP only has a finite number of drivers anyway, so you often have to do that to get all the devices installed.
"A Dell OEM CD key will work usually only with Dell OEM CDs"
As stated, this is totally incorrect. They are all just OEM keys and will work if used with an OEM XP installation CD.
That only happens if the CD does a BIOS check. The original poster asked about a Dell CD and a Dell CD will work - 100% of the time as long as you have A) a functioning system and B) a valid XP key code. Dell/XP CDs dont' do a BIOS check which will stop installation on a non-Dell PC.
"Additionally a CD from another MFG will not contain the drivers for the hardware so they'll have to be downloaded also."
It doesn't matter, you can load XP and then download all the drivers you want from the manufacturer's web site. XP only has a finite number of drivers anyway, so you often have to do that to get all the devices installed.
"A Dell OEM CD key will work usually only with Dell OEM CDs"
As stated, this is totally incorrect. They are all just OEM keys and will work if used with an OEM XP installation CD.
goombawaho
MIS
I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything (although I'm in a cranky mood today).
Original question: "can you use a dell factory vista/xp os cd on any computer like an hp or gateway??? thanks "
^^^^ I do this on a weekly basis at customer locations where they have lost their XP CD or let the dog scratch it up. You will have to download drivers from Dell (via Service Tag number) for which the XP CD lacks.
I won't vouch for Vista since I haven't PERSONALLY tried that yet.
Original question: "can you use a dell factory vista/xp os cd on any computer like an hp or gateway??? thanks "
^^^^ I do this on a weekly basis at customer locations where they have lost their XP CD or let the dog scratch it up. You will have to download drivers from Dell (via Service Tag number) for which the XP CD lacks.
I won't vouch for Vista since I haven't PERSONALLY tried that yet.
Fine so it works for you. That does not guarantee it will work for everybody.
You can guarantee this: If I pick any dell CD and try to install it will let me every single time, every single CD i could possibly try, there is no chance one will not let me?
Again, can you guarantee this? all OEM CD keys will work with every single OEM CD you could possibly find?
If it works fine, but in my experience, which I admit may be limited by your standards, OEM CD keys may not work with CD's of a different brand.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
You can guarantee this: If I pick any dell CD and try to install it will let me every single time, every single CD i could possibly try, there is no chance one will not let me?
Again, can you guarantee this? all OEM CD keys will work with every single OEM CD you could possibly find?
If it works fine, but in my experience, which I admit may be limited by your standards, OEM CD keys may not work with CD's of a different brand.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
- Thread starter
- #9
jesse83189
Technical User
I'm just affraid of screwin somethin up if I try it.... On the cd itself it says only for dell pc's.... I take it there lyin for marketing reasons or somethin?
No need to be affraid.
Worst case scenario is it wont install. In which case no harm will be done to the system.
If it does go ahead an install, there's little risk of screwing anything up as its just a Windows install.
You will need to find drivers though.
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Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
Worst case scenario is it wont install. In which case no harm will be done to the system.
If it does go ahead an install, there's little risk of screwing anything up as its just a Windows install.
You will need to find drivers though.
----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.
goombawaho
MIS
Yes - I guarantee that it will work every time on every computer IF:
The PC is capable of running Windows XP
The PC has a valid COA on the side of the computer
The hardware is 100% functional
I will PayPal you if it fails. (not really)
It won't screw anything up UNLESS you format a hard drive that has good data on it, but that's not what we're discussing.
The PC is capable of running Windows XP
The PC has a valid COA on the side of the computer
The hardware is 100% functional
I will PayPal you if it fails. (not really)
It won't screw anything up UNLESS you format a hard drive that has good data on it, but that's not what we're discussing.
The one caution I would add centers on the network device drivers. You would want to use the web to find and download drivers after the install. If you don't have the network card/device drivers in hand before you reload windows you will be isolated from the web until you get them using another machine.
I normally download all the drivers I could possibly need and burn to CD so I have them available without having to depend on the internet.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
I normally download all the drivers I could possibly need and burn to CD so I have them available without having to depend on the internet.
Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
goombawaho
MIS
^^^^^ That's a known issue, but not to everyone, so good to mention it. If you don't have access to a second internet-enabled computer, you are hosed IF the NIC drivers are not included, which is probably 50/50.
Often times, there will be a folder (especially on Dells) in the root of the C: drive such as Dell or Drivers and that would be a great thing to back up or just get the network driver before a reload. Fun stuff.
Often times, there will be a folder (especially on Dells) in the root of the C: drive such as Dell or Drivers and that would be a great thing to back up or just get the network driver before a reload. Fun stuff.
- Thread starter
- #14
Bios-Lock Technology, used mostly these days for Recovery CD's and 2003 SBS implementations, or with Fujitsu Siemens installs...
and in the above scenario, WGA may become a hindrance.
Have a read, where OEM install CD's where used instead of the Recovery media to fix installs...
Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
and in the above scenario, WGA may become a hindrance.
Have a read, where OEM install CD's where used instead of the Recovery media to fix installs...
Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
im sure this has been gone over a few times but just adding to the help...
i use dell versions of XP all the time on other machines, the only thing using a dell XP install CD does is once its installed you get a c:\dell directory that has nothing in it..
they dont install drivers when u use them or software outsied of windows XP. they Keys outside of the one on the dell machine do work tho like said earlier i think they need to be OEM keys...
Most pre build branded PC's have the restore files on a hidden partition on the HDD and pressing something like Ctrl+F11 during boot up will give you reload options that take the machine back to factory setting...
good luck
i use dell versions of XP all the time on other machines, the only thing using a dell XP install CD does is once its installed you get a c:\dell directory that has nothing in it..
they dont install drivers when u use them or software outsied of windows XP. they Keys outside of the one on the dell machine do work tho like said earlier i think they need to be OEM keys...
Most pre build branded PC's have the restore files on a hidden partition on the HDD and pressing something like Ctrl+F11 during boot up will give you reload options that take the machine back to factory setting...
good luck
goombawaho
MIS
I haven't run into any problems yet. Best bet is to try it and see what happens before calling your OEM and paying for a media replacement or getting one if the PC never came with it.
I'm tiring of this thread. Something so simple carried on so long.
I'm tiring of this thread. Something so simple carried on so long.
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