Trouble is, the software asks for the key, which I don't have (new one, anyway). The unit is also out of warranty so chat is no longer available and I'm not paying to have a question answered by tech support. I don't know why the key wasn't supplied in the first place.
If it’s a straight forward WXP reinstall (no major hardware changes been made) & Dell sent you the OEM OS WXP Reinstallation CD that reflects same OS version originally preinstalled then you don’t need a Product Activation key, it should just reinstall?
Unless corrected by others, suggest you contact Dell Customer Support & ask for explanation, quote COA info on base of computer
Thought you had already tried a WXP clean install & obtained prompt for Product key?
Does your computer have the PC Restore by Symantec, a.k.a. DSR utility installed, the “how to” procedure is here. If available it restores computer to out-of-box condition, doesn’t require any CDs, reinstalling drivers & only takes 10 minutes to auto complete
Are you able to check OEM OS WXP Reinstallation CD version against original version preinstalled on your computer?
If you still want or need to do a WXP clean install then use this step-by-step guide – you will lose all personal data & you will also need to reinstall computer system drivers from Dell ResourcesCD or download them from here, drivers must be reinstalled in a particular order here
Read contents of the above links carefully, if possible print them off before proceeding with any work. Note WXP clean install/reinstall requires booting from OEM WXP CD & normally involves only formatting the original OS drive partition of your HDD (hard disk drive)
If you are asked for Product key when booting from OEM WXP CD you need to enter original 25 character code as identified on computer base, be careful not to confuse similar letter & number characters
KIMSWIM
2 Posts
0
October 16th, 2007 23:00
BELL BOY
1.1K Posts
0
October 16th, 2007 23:00
If it’s a straight forward WXP reinstall (no major hardware changes been made) & Dell sent you the OEM OS WXP Reinstallation CD that reflects same OS version originally preinstalled then you don’t need a Product Activation key, it should just reinstall?
Unless corrected by others, suggest you contact Dell Customer Support & ask for explanation, quote COA info on base of computerBELL BOY
1.1K Posts
0
October 17th, 2007 01:00
Thought you had already tried a WXP clean install & obtained prompt for Product key?
Does your computer have the PC Restore by Symantec, a.k.a. DSR utility installed, the “how to” procedure is here. If available it restores computer to out-of-box condition, doesn’t require any CDs, reinstalling drivers & only takes 10 minutes to auto complete
Are you able to check OEM OS WXP Reinstallation CD version against original version preinstalled on your computer?
If you still want or need to do a WXP clean install then use this step-by-step guide – you will lose all personal data & you will also need to reinstall computer system drivers from Dell ResourcesCD or download them from here, drivers must be reinstalled in a particular order here
Read contents of the above links carefully, if possible print them off before proceeding with any work. Note WXP clean install/reinstall requires booting from OEM WXP CD & normally involves only formatting the original OS drive partition of your HDD (hard disk drive)