Reinstalling XP on Dell computer

[tibs]

We had this dell computer for a few years. It had some viruses and or worms in it so i wiped the comp clean and did a fresh reinstall. The dell came installed with Win XP Home. It has the product key sticker on the side of the case. Appearently the system didnt come with an Win XP reinstall cd, so i used my own XP home cd and installed that. I used the product key on the side of the dell and its not liking that key, ive retyped carefully many times.

So im asking: cannot i use just and Windows xp Home cd and just use the Windows XP Hom Key on the side of the dell??? or do i need to buy another home cd andthrow away the product key thats on the dell??

[Panama Red]

Use the Product Key that came with the CD for installation purposes but don't Activate XP with that key. Instead, once the install is complete use the Magical Jelly bean to change the key to the one on the case. This will make you "legal" for activation.

www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

[glc]

Did you also wipe the recovery partition? There's a full system recovery on it - I believe you access it by pressing F11 at startup.

[tibs]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Use the Product Key that came with the CD for installation purposes but don't Activate XP with that key. Instead, once the install is complete use the Magical Jelly bean to change the key to the one on the case. This will make you "legal" for activation. www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

So doing this i should reinstall XP? use the key that came with the cd, then when it comes times to activate use this program, change the key to the one on the dell, then use the XP "Activate Windows"? sorry just have to clarify

Originally Posted by glc Did you also wipe the recovery partition? There's a full system recovery on it - I believe you access it by pressing F11 at startup.

Didnt know about that, and yes i erased all partitions

[Panama Red]

I'd change the key as soon as you finish the install. I doubt you'll be able to do any updates without the Geniune Validation check.

[tibs]

Originally Posted by Panama Red I'd change the key as soon as you finish the install. I doubt you'll be able to do any updates without the Geniune Validation check.

Ok about my last reply, im asking cuz i installed home with the key on the dell comp. Windows doesnt seem to like it, i tried it again with this jelly bean prog and its still not liking it.

So im asking do i need to reinstall home again using the key that came with this cd, then after home is installed, use this jelly bean prog to change it to the dell key THEN activate???

is that how it needs to go so this works?


thanks!


oh and i have been able to use windows update, its just that the windows activation thingy is giving me 30 days to activate

[Panama Red]

What did you use to get it installed to this point?

[tibs]

Originally Posted by Panama Red What did you use to get it installed to this point?

i used the dell key during installation, but after installed the activation prog pops up to try to activate windows and it makes me retype the key and i retyped and retyped the dell key many times and it still doesnt like it.

[Panama Red]

Ouch, then I don't think using the MJB will change anything. Time to use the 800 number to MS and get in activated over the phone.

[sdkfz]

Since you wiped all partitions, and it appears that you might be trying to retain the use of the DELL OEM XP key perhaps you should try Delll to see what the cost is to get a disk from them, then you have two OS licenses and the software CD's to go with them.

[glc]

Dell usually only charges 10 bucks or so plus shipping for a XP recovery CD that will work with the key on the sticker.

[tibs]

Originally Posted by glc Dell usually only charges 10 bucks or so plus shipping for a XP recovery CD that will work with the key on the sticker.

how do i get ahold of that? will that be on their website or do i need to call for it?

[sdkfz]

Originally Posted by tibs how do i get ahold of that? will that be on their website or do i need to call for it?

Just go to the web site for dell and search for 'recovery CD' the first response will be in the Dell Community Forum and you'll need to register to view the results.