Installing Dell Xp

[Warmel]

Here's my Situation, I've had my Dell Computer for a little over two years. Its a P4 1.4. Ive upgraded my video card just this last month and a new sound card. I've now decided that I'm just gunna make a new computer. My plan is to buy a new Motherboard, Processor, ram, and case but using my video card, sound card, CD and CD/RW drives and maybe my Hard drive. My question is will I have to buy a new copy of Windows Xp? I have the reinstillation CD that came with my Dell but I'm not sure If if I can install that copy into the new computer I plan on buying. Thank you.

[glc]

No can do - the OEM Dell CD is keyed to the Dell bios.

[Shepherd1000]

On the other hand, you have a valid OEM Windows XP Product Key on your Dell. So if you've got a friend with an OEM Windows XP CD, you can use it to install XP on your rebuilt computer using your OEM Product Key. And while you will likely have to speak to someone at the Windows Activation Center to get it activated, they will likely do this (even though they are under no legal obligation to do so, given that it is an OEM version of XP, which is supposed to be forever tied to the Dell).

[Warmel]

Thanks guys for the info, I will prolly just end up buying a new copy windows Xp.

[glc]

Shepherd: The odds of that key working with a different copy of XP are not very good - M$ has tightened up on this a lot since the Win98 days.

[Confused]

Originally posted by glc Shepherd: The odds of that key working with a different copy of XP are not very good - M$ has tightened up on this a lot since the Win98 days.

Very true. There is two legal copies of XP Pro in this household and I can tell you for a fact that the keys aren't interchangeable. I just tried it when I put a new mobo and HD in my wifes PC. My copy of XP was handy and I used it and tried to use her key and got a invalid response back. Had to start over using her copy of XP.
Chas

[Corky]

If you plan on upgrading your Dell, there are a few things to keep in mind. Dell is very proprietary, and you may not find another MOBO that will fit in the Dell case. If you do find one, you will probably have to buy a new power supply since the Dell mobos and power supplies have proprietary connectors.

[Shepherd1000]

Originally posted by glc Shepherd: The odds of that key working with a different copy of XP are not very good - M$ has tightened up on this a lot since the Win98 days.

Originally posted by Confused Very true. There is two legal copies of XP Pro in this household and I can tell you for a fact that the keys aren't interchangeable. I just tried it when I put a new mobo and HD in my wifes PC. My copy of XP was handy and I used it and tried to use her key and got a invalid response back. Had to start over using her copy of XP. Chas

I'm just speaking from my own experiences. I've done this about 4 or 5 times now, without any problem. One essential point (learned from my previous phone conversations with Microsoft's technical support) is that both versions of XP have to be of exactly the same type (i.e. OEM versus retail, Home versus Pro) and of the same build. The other essential point is that the product key shown on the computer case with certain computer manufacturer's preinstalled OEM versions of XP is not always the same product key issued to the manufacturer at the time of installation. In such a case, a utility has to be used on the install to reveal the actual product key. If one is intending to perform an install of XP and is prepared to purchase a new copy of XP anyway, attempting what I suggest seems to be worth a shot.