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12-14-2008, 11:50 PM
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#1 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 130
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Dell laptop - Win XP reinstall
Was given a Dell inspiron E1505 today that had been an academic computer. Has Win XP Pro on it but the donor did not have the recovery or reinstall discs for it. I am trying to clean it up but it is in horrible shape and REALLY NEEDS a full reformat / reinstall.
I have a licensed disc of Win XP Pro that I use for builds but did not know if I could install on this laptop or whether the original is "bios locked" to this computer requiring me to use the original discs. Anyone have an idea about this?? Also, I cannot find any hidden partition with recovery files. Is there something special I should be looking for to find it if it exists on this machine and how would I go about making a backup of it on CD. I have tried the "hold down ctrl + F11" but do not get the restore function. Don't know a lot about what Dell does with their laptops as I have only had Toshiba for my personal use and they always have come with full disc sets. This Dell had been her work system at a university and they gave her a new Lenovo about 4 months ago and just told her she could keep the Dell since it was older and she gave it to me. Last edited by stevek11290; 12-15-2008 at 12:31 AM. |
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12-15-2008, 05:24 AM
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#2 |
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Ride 'em Cowboy
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 9,109
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The Bios lock is on the Dell cd's keeps you from using a Dell cd on a non Dell machine.
Any standard OEM or Retail cd will work provided you have a spare unused key code.
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Stand Up 2 Cancer - SU2C |
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12-15-2008, 08:35 AM
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#3 |
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Served with Pride
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: near the left coast of Michigan
Posts: 14,565
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I've reloaded several Dell's using a regular OEM XP disk and used the Product Key on the COA sticker that should be affixed to the case. Occasionally, I have to call MS to activate because online activation didn't work. I end up talking to an agent and affirming that "this operating systems is installed on only one pc."
I don't think a reload with a retail disk will work with the Dell Product Key. |
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12-15-2008, 09:12 AM
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#4 |
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Member (12 bit)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,557
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I have also reloaded several prebuilt PC's with OEM XP but I always 0 fill the hard drive first. You should be able to get all the necessary drivers from the Dell site.
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12-15-2008, 09:57 AM
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#5 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 130
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Thanks to all.
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12-15-2008, 12:19 PM
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#6 |
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Forum Administrator
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Joplin MO
Posts: 37,791
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You can use *ANY* Dell XP CD on *ANY* Dell computer, and you do not need a key or activation. Borrow one.
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12-15-2008, 03:38 PM
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#7 |
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Member (8 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 130
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All went without a hitch. Used a regular licensed CD and managed to find the right drivers on the Dell page. Thanks all.
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