Legally speaking, you cannot install the XP that came with your 620 or 640 on another computer model, and certainly not on another brand of computer. The license was for that one computer the disk came with. You are also likely to have activation issues if you install from these disks on another computer. Again, legally speaking, you must purchase a new copy of XP for any new installation you plan. But hurry, XP is about to be yanked.
The dell discs will automatically register/activate on a dell if installed from BIOs. They may not on a NON-DELL, and may process an error whilst trying to install (never tried it as I always use DELL.
I have found this to be an issue when using one dell disc on another dell, bought an oem disc of xp home and a new hard drive together for my girl friends inspiron 1501 and used my inspiron 1300s disc to install xp, it automastically activated with my 1300 code, it worked fine and technically I have the license for that system, reinstalled it with her disc anyway and had to activate it since it was not a dell disc.
Now if you have an xp professional disc.
On configuring a vostro 1710 if you go to information on operating system you get this box:
Genuine Windows Vista ® Business or Ultimate with Windows® XP Professional installed and Vista® Media included
Windows Vista® Business offers new features designed to help you focus more on what’s important – your business. However, some businesses may not be ready to transition away from Windows® XP Professional, and Dell can help ease the transition. Below are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions on this topic.
Is there any way to get Windows® XP after June 1st from Dell?
YES, Customers may continue to get Windows® XP Professional by exercising Downgrade Rights that come with Windows Vista® Business or Windows Vista® Ultimate licenses. Dell has the ability to exercise “Windows Vista® downgrade rights” on your behalf in the factory if your business is still reliant upon Windows XP and you would prefer to have Windows® XP Professional preinstalled on your PCs. Dell also includes a backup media disk for Windows Vista®
Dell offers these options:
“Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Professional installed and Vista® Media” “Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (SP1) with XP Professional installed and Vista® Media”
So, what are Windows Vista® “Downgrade Rights”?
Windows Vista® Business and Windows Vista® Ultimate have what Microsoft calls “Downgrade Rights.” Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista® Business or Windows Vista® Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows® XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows® XP Professional. Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time (cannot run both operating systems simultaneously unless an additional license is purchased). Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista® Home Premium do not have this option, as they are not capable of downgrading to Windows XP Professional.
What does it mean for Dell to exercise “Downgrade Rights” for me? Where can I find this option?
When you are configuring your system online or through the help of one of our sales experts, you will have the opportunity to select which operating system you would like on your PC. When selecting your operating system, you will see options called:
“Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Professional installed and Vista® Media”
“Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (SP1) with XP Pro installed and Vista® Media”
With these options, you may purchase, for a small fee, the licensed rights to Windows Vista® but have Dell factory install Windows XP Professional. In essence you receive two complete operating systems. You will also receive a backup media disc for Windows Vista so you can upgrade when you’re ready. Furthermore, with these options Dell will provide technical support for the factory-installed Windows® XP Professional image and your licensed version of Windows Vista®
Can I downgrade on my own?
Yes, you can as long as you have your own Windows® XP Professional media (i.e. from a prior purchase). However, Dell’s standard policy is to provide technical support on the operating system that comes pre-installed on your PC. Dell does not encourage you to change your operating system on your own as this can be a complicated process.
So, if I choose to have Dell downgrade for me, does that mean I can only get technical support on Windows® XP Professional since that is what will be pre-installed?
No, with this option Dell will provide technical support on both Windows® XP Professional and Windows Vista® Business or Windows Vista® Ultimate (depending on which version you choose).
I don’t need Windows® XP Professional, but I still want Windows® XP Home Edition. Is there any way for me to get this from Dell?
No, Windows® XP Home Edition and Windows® XP MCE both End-of-Life (EOL) on June 1st, 2008 and do not have the capability to transition to Windows Vista® (i.e. these licenses do not include Downgrade Rights provisions). Microsoft created that capability only with Windows® XP Professional, Windows Vista® Business and Windows Vista® Ultimate. Windows Vista® Home Basic and Windows Vista® Home Premium are unable to downgrade to Windows® XP.
What do I do when I’m ready to upgrade my computer to Windows Vista® ?
You will use the Windows Vista® DVD provided to you to install Windows Vista® on your computer.
Prices and specifications are correct at date of publication but subject to availability or change without notice. Photos for illustrative purposes only - actual items may differ from photo. Dell cannot be responsible for errors in typography or photography. Promotional Offers apply to maximum order size of 5 systems.
*Finance and hire facilities are available from Dell Capital Services (provided by GE Capital Solutions Limited) to UK customers who intend to use the equipment for business purposes only. All applications are subject to status, acceptance by Dell Capital Services, and credit scoring is used when assessing an application. An automatic credit scoring system may be used. The prices shown are not binding on Dell Capital Services and may vary without notice. Documentation fee applies.All products may be subject to different promotional offers and such offers may change without prior notice. The Terms and Conditions of finance and hire and a written quotation are available upon request.
Please note that we are updating our on-line stores with our new services, during this transition if you don't find the new ProSupport service you are looking for on-line, please contact your Sales Representative for assistance.
I have increased the font on the important part, you may downgrade using a disc from a previous purchase. Note your meant to buy vista ultimate or bussiness and use an xp professional dell disc to do so.
But as I demonstrated the xp home disc works, and I did not break any licenses as we had purchased a 160Gb hard drive and an xp home oem from the same store in the same purchase and installed using the dell oem disc instead of the microsoft oem disc.
europa303
4.4K Posts
0
June 21st, 2008 08:00
C3PO5
2 Intern
•
2.7K Posts
0
June 21st, 2008 17:00
Are the DELL discs equivalent in all respects to the MIcrosoft XP cd?
Hi
NO
the Dell XP CD is a OEM disc you can not get Microsoft support with it
and it is Only good for one computer in other words you can not remove it
from one computer and install to another computer and it has a OEM licenses
even if the computer dies the XP dies with it unless you buy the same motherboard
that came in the computer to start with it is tied to the bios for that computer\motherboard
only.
That's why the OEM disc is so cheap to buy !!
The XP Retail CD you get support from Microsoft and you can remove it from
one computer then install it on another computer you can not have any version
of windows installed on more than one computer at the same time .
If you remove it and install it on another computer you may still have to call Microsoft
to get another key code to activate it .
Hope this helps you .
Good Luck
Philip_Yip
9 Legend
•
16.1K Posts
0
June 22nd, 2008 08:00
The dell discs will automatically register/activate on a dell if installed from BIOs. They may not on a NON-DELL, and may process an error whilst trying to install (never tried it as I always use DELL.
I have found this to be an issue when using one dell disc on another dell, bought an oem disc of xp home and a new hard drive together for my girl friends inspiron 1501 and used my inspiron 1300s disc to install xp, it automastically activated with my 1300 code, it worked fine and technically I have the license for that system, reinstalled it with her disc anyway and had to activate it since it was not a dell disc.
Now if you have an xp professional disc.
On configuring a vostro 1710 if you go to information on operating system you get this box:
Genuine Windows Vista ® Business or Ultimate with Windows® XP Professional installed and Vista® Media included
Windows Vista® Business offers new features designed to help you focus more on what’s important – your business. However, some businesses may not be ready to transition away from Windows® XP Professional, and Dell can help ease the transition. Below are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions on this topic.
Is there any way to get Windows® XP after June 1st from Dell?
YES, Customers may continue to get Windows® XP Professional by exercising Downgrade Rights that come with Windows Vista® Business or Windows Vista® Ultimate licenses. Dell has the ability to exercise “Windows Vista® downgrade rights” on your behalf in the factory if your business is still reliant upon Windows XP and you would prefer to have Windows® XP Professional preinstalled on your PCs. Dell also includes a backup media disk for Windows Vista®
Dell offers these options:
“Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Professional installed and Vista® Media”
“Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (SP1) with XP Professional installed and Vista® Media”
So, what are Windows Vista® “Downgrade Rights”?
Windows Vista® Business and Windows Vista® Ultimate have what Microsoft calls “Downgrade Rights.” Downgrade Rights means that anyone with a Windows Vista® Business or Windows Vista® Ultimate operating system can downgrade to Windows® XP Professional provided they have the media for Windows® XP Professional. Customers may use one operating system at any single point in time (cannot run both operating systems simultaneously unless an additional license is purchased). Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista® Home Premium do not have this option, as they are not capable of downgrading to Windows XP Professional.
What does it mean for Dell to exercise “Downgrade Rights” for me? Where can I find this option?
When you are configuring your system online or through the help of one of our sales experts, you will have the opportunity to select which operating system you would like on your PC. When selecting your operating system, you will see options called:
“Genuine Windows Vista® Business (SP1) with XP Professional installed and Vista® Media”
“Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (SP1) with XP Pro installed and Vista® Media”
With these options, you may purchase, for a small fee, the licensed rights to Windows Vista® but have Dell factory install Windows XP Professional. In essence you receive two complete operating systems. You will also receive a backup media disc for Windows Vista so you can upgrade when you’re ready. Furthermore, with these options Dell will provide technical support for the factory-installed Windows® XP Professional image and your licensed version of Windows Vista®
Can I downgrade on my own?
Yes, you can as long as you have your own Windows® XP Professional media (i.e. from a prior purchase). However, Dell’s standard policy is to provide technical support on the operating system that comes pre-installed on your PC. Dell does not encourage you to change your operating system on your own as this can be a complicated process.
So, if I choose to have Dell downgrade for me, does that mean I can only get technical support on Windows® XP Professional since that is what will be pre-installed?
No, with this option Dell will provide technical support on both Windows® XP Professional and Windows Vista® Business or Windows Vista® Ultimate (depending on which version you choose).
I don’t need Windows® XP Professional, but I still want Windows® XP Home Edition. Is there any way for me to get this from Dell?
No, Windows® XP Home Edition and Windows® XP MCE both End-of-Life (EOL) on June 1st, 2008 and do not have the capability to transition to Windows Vista® (i.e. these licenses do not include Downgrade Rights provisions). Microsoft created that capability only with Windows® XP Professional, Windows Vista® Business and Windows Vista® Ultimate. Windows Vista® Home Basic and Windows Vista® Home Premium are unable to downgrade to Windows® XP.
What do I do when I’m ready to upgrade my computer to Windows Vista® ?
You will use the Windows Vista® DVD provided to you to install Windows Vista® on your computer.
Please note that we are updating our on-line stores with our new services, during this transition if you don't find the new ProSupport service you are looking for on-line, please contact your Sales Representative for assistance.
I have increased the font on the important part, you may downgrade using a disc from a previous purchase. Note your meant to buy vista ultimate or bussiness and use an xp professional dell disc to do so.
But as I demonstrated the xp home disc works, and I did not break any licenses as we had purchased a 160Gb hard drive and an xp home oem from the same store in the same purchase and installed using the dell oem disc instead of the microsoft oem disc.