Activate Windows xp

Question

Hi , My friend and his girlfriend both have Dell computers , Though they are different models but same I believe Windows xp . Ok here the problem , My friend ask me to take a look at his girlfriend computer because it was infected with all kinds of malwares and viruses . Now she doesn't have the producted recovery disk because she bought it from someone whom didn't give it to her but he has a disk . I thought I could use his disk and install windows and enter her license keys on the side of the case . I figure what do I got to lose to try . Well for some strange reason I was able to install windows without having to activated , Why is that ? And I didn't even enter the keys . I thought to install windows you would at least need to enter the license keys , Are these so call product recovery disk have the license keys embeded within the disk ? Either way after I am finish with loading all the updates from Microsoft I will have to enter her license keys . Though I have never work with brand name computer and I thought you always needed to activate them when ever you reinstall windows , no ? Thanks Message Edited by sn00ker on 02-19-2008 08:37 PM

Bay Wolf · Answer

Not arguing.  Just stating fact.

Bay Wolf · Answer

@tr4 wrote:
You do have to activate it or it will expire just like any other XP disk. You do not need to enter the product key during installation. Just wanted to clarify this for you

Let's get some facts straight. If you boot from the WinXP install CD that Dell delivers with your computer and then run the install program, you do not need to activate it. It will be preactivated. Dell's OEM WinXP will check the BIOS version and if it is a Dell BIOS, it will proceed with the install and activate it.

If you run the install disk in any other fashion, then you will need to activate WinXP separately.

Now before you come back and jump all over me, I know this is true. I have performed a reinstall on numerous machines. This is the case. I have computers running WinXP that have been running for a few years and I never had to activate them.

So hrova is correct.

Message Edited by Bay Wolf on 02-18-2008 10:19 PM

tr4 · Answer

Funny. I've installed many and you get a screen to activate. It comes just before your option to register with microsoft.  With a high speed connection, it goes pretty fast. I've seen it on both an original XP disk and a sp2 disk. I will not argue this further, this is not the place.

hrova · Answer

If the XP disk was a Dell reinstall disk, you will not need to activate Windows.

It is preinstalled when using a Dell reinstall disk. If you use a generic Win XP disk on a Dell, then you would have to input things....

Bay Wolf · Answer

@sn00ker wrote:

Well I didn't enter the license keys or activated and at this moment I am downloading sp2 onto it . AGAIN both computers are Dell . Correct me if I am wrong if I was to check to see which license keys are listed would it not be my friend keys not his girlfriend . I mean it is his product recovery disk . If so ? Is there a way to enter her license keys ? Thanks

You will not have to change any License Key. The OEM install disk is generic. You will be legit and not have to worry.

Edit:

hrova, this time you typed faster than me. :smileyhappy:

You are welcome for the other post. I hate it when someone pops in not knowing the real facts. It can lead someone in the completely wrong direction.

Message Edited by Bay Wolf on 02-18-2008 10:59 PM

hrova · Answer

Thank you BayWolf. While you were typing, I was looking for something to back me up on the Dell web site.

Here is what I found:

The following scenarios do not require product activation:

If you purchased your computer directly from Dell with Windows XP preinstalled, the operating system is activated prior to your receiving the computer.

If you purchased your computer directly from Dell with Windows XP preinstalled and then decide to reinstall the operating system using the Windows XP CD, you will not have to activate your copy of Windows XP if you install the operating system by booting to the CD.

If you purchased your computer directly from Dell with Windows XP preinstalled and then decide to reinstall the operating system using the Windows XP CD, you will not have to activate your copy of Windows XP if you do not format the hard drive prior to installation.

You perform a Windows XP repair.

EDIT - Guess I type really slowly. Thanks Jim, too.

Message Edited by hrova on 02-18-2008 09:43 PM

sn00ker · Answer

Well I didn't  enter the license keys or activated and at this moment I am downloading sp2 onto it . AGAIN both computers are Dell . Correct me if I am wrong if I was to check to see which license keys are listed would it not be my friend keys not his girlfriend . I mean it is his product recovery disk . If so ? Is there a way to enter her license keys ? Thanks

tr4 · Answer

You do have to activate it or it will expire just like any other XP disk. You do not need to enter the product key during installation. Just wanted to clarify this for you

hrova · Answer

Snooker:

As long as it was a Dell reinstall CD, I would not worry about it. Any Dell Windows XP reinstall CD can be used on any other Dell legally as long as it has the same original OS.

Put another way, the disk does not matter, the license does. And since the license was preinstalled, you are good to go.

Rebel9 · Answer

tr4 'Funny. I've installed many and you get a screen to activate'   No you don't! Not with a Dell OEM version on a Dell computer.

jmwills · Answer

You DO NOT have to activate an OEM version of this operating system.

oopsadazy2 · Answer

Hi

I've never done this before and I want to know what to expect if anyone can help me.

I have cable, so do I have to do anything special first or afterward?

I've already backed up everything.

I'm still kind of new with computers so I thought I'd come here to try to get help.

I have a Dell Deminson 2400. Any help would be greatly appreciated

jmwills · Answer

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm#Install

Driver Installation:
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=1A0C0937D62A8739E0401E0A55174744&journalid=4F1F82483DC811DBAE564F9328EE04A4&l=en&s=gen

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dn=1090643

To find and download the drivers for your system, scroll down the page on click on
"Drivers and Downloads". Then enter your Service Tag or model number of your computer.
Select your operating system and then download the drivers that you need.

jmwills · Answer

Thank you for your kind words.

oopsadazy2 · Answer

Thank you so much for your help again :-) Stay safe!! We're always praying for you!!

Windows General

Activate Windows xp

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