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February 10th, 2004 21:00
Dell Operating System CD
I have two computers both from Dell. They both have Windows XP Pro on them. Like most people I keep all of my computer cd's, drivers, etc. in a folder so if needed I can easily find them. However I had some problems with the hard drive on one of my computers. So I reinstalled Pro back onto my machine. The only problem is does it matter which CD I used. When I installed it didnt ask me for a CD key or anything. So basically is each CD unique with its own Product Key. Or are both CD's exactly the same. Thanks
Jim
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Bill Snyder
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February 10th, 2004 22:00
The CD's are tied into the Dell BIOS; if the systems are both fairly recent (and hence have sufficiently similar BIOS), then it probably does not matter which CD you use for which system.
Jim_E4
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February 10th, 2004 22:00
But would it still work if I used the same cd on both machines. I have two CD's but Im not sure which one I already used. I really dont want to reformat both and set one cd to each machine. But since it works I would assume that I must have gotten the right one. Because each Product Key on the CD can only be used once. If im wrong let me know.
Jim
Denny Denham
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February 11th, 2004 01:00
You are correct. Each CD can be used only once. If you used the correct CD to reinstall XP it should be activated. You can check by going to Start|Run, typing oobe/msoobe /a and clicking OK. If the system is activated, you need take no more action. If it is not, you can change the Product ID of the copy of XP installed on the computer and activate it using the procedure here.
gryjhnhpe
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February 11th, 2004 03:00
The XP Pro Retail CDs don't contain any Product Key but the DELL reinstallation XP Pro CDs have a file added by DELL which contains a generic Product key not the COA sticker Product Key supplied with Computer.
The WINNT.SIF file is for partial unattended install.
You can view the file on a DELL reinstallation XP CD with Notepad & it shows the generic product key install by reinstallation CD.
The file WINNT.SIF in \i386 Folder.
I think its also in the C:\i386 Folder only if the XP OS was OEM DELL installed.
Probably the same Product Key on both XP Pro CDs.
Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 02-11-2004 04:05 PM
Denny Denham
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February 11th, 2004 05:00
Per this, "Under the UserData section, type ProductID = yourProductID (your ProductID is located on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker)."
Jim_E4
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February 11th, 2004 18:00
Alright I wasnt looking for a way to get out of activating my OS. I just wanted to know if each CD was unique in its way. I know that the retail versions come with a COA. I just didnt want to have the same key on two different computers when I have the oppurtunity to put them on seperate machines. Now if both of the cds are not unique and the keys are identical than it really wouldnt matter. The only thing is what does Microsoft do from someone installing the CD on multiple computers. Who says you can just buy 10 Dell computers with one version of Pro and installing them on all the machines. I mean if they are exactly the same what limits do you have? Just a thought.
Jim
gryjhnhpe
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February 11th, 2004 18:00
Obviously , I meant the Microsoft XP Pro Reatail CD doesn't contain a file with Product Key.
I know they come with COA Sticker Product Key but that isn't in a CD file.
You have to copy the CD while adding WINNT.SIF file to create an Unattended Install XP CD.
gryjhnhpe
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February 11th, 2004 19:00
If your referring to OEM DELL reinstallation XP Pro CDs they all have the same generic Product Key in file WINNT.SIF like it said.
The OEM DELL XP Home & XP Pro have different generic Product Keys , the same for each type.
Any DELL reinstallation XP Pro CD can be used of any DELL Computer with a COA License Sticker.
They are pre-activated & usually don't request the Product Key during install as they use the WINNT.SIF file data , I have read that on some Computers they do & then the COA Product Key is used.
DELL don't sell Computers with an OS , ie: XP Pro or XP Home.
You could use the same OEM DELL XP CD on say 10 DELL Computers as each is sold with a COA License Sticker & OS installed.
If you use a retail Microsoft XP CD it request the Product key during install & although it could be installed on say 10 Computers it can only be Activated on one Computer with Microsoft.
Activation checks a code for the Computer the XP OS is activated on & doesn't allow activation on any other Computer.
You could use the same Microsoft or OEM DELL XP CD on many Compters as the Microsoft XP CD request the COA Product Key during install & the DELL XP CD shouldn't thus installing the same generic Product Key on all DELL Computers.
The XP CDs are the same expect for type XP Home or XP Pro & possibly version.
Neither Microsoft or OEM DELL XP CDs contain a file with the COA Product Key.
Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 02-12-2004 08:40 AM