WINDOWS XP

If Dell will not supply the Disc, you will have to purchase one.  I think they may still be available, get an "OEM" version as it is cheaper than a full retail version.  It is the same, just an OEM version can only legally be installed on the original PC it's installed on (basically the same as a Dell CD). 

You can download any needed drivers from the Dell Downloads  at www.support.dell.com    enter the Service Tag number and it will list all applicable downloads for your specific system.

Thanks for the response. Where do I go to try and get the "OEM" version?

When surfing through the Dell web site I did find the section about driver down loads.

You will have to buy the disc from a retail store or on-line computer store.  HERE  is the only one I found doing a google search..

The OEM version is not available for download from anywhere.  You have to purchase it just like you would any version of XP.  Although it is a little cheaper than buying the rull Retail version, it does have some restrictions - most notably it cannot be transferred/reinstalled on another machine - it is kind of locked to one computer.  Retail versions are more flexible - you can install it on any computer (one at a time).

If you buy an OEM version, make sure it comes with the license/Product Key, because your Dell OEM PK will NOT work with a Microsoft generic OEM disk.

per microsoft you can downgrade to windows xp for free...the following was found at http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/3cc872ef-2230-4e0b-a637-8f7b35296ff2 

however your not really downgrading from a new computer and should still have your product id key if not follow the instructions below after you go to a search engine and type in windows xp download for free...then choose one of the respectable sites like download.net  brothersoft.net or even cnet.com  I just downloaded it because I have the same issues with Vista.  But I still have my cd key from the computer that was destroyed in a fire.  Luckily I didn't sell it to someone else...but if you don't still have your cd key you can follow the instructions below that I got off of MS site...also search for Microsoft supports downgrage to xp

How do I downgrade? Install a copy of Windows XP Professional with the product key that came with the copy, and then when you hit the activation screen -- which is near the end of the installation process -- select the activate by phone option rather than the online method. You'll likely end up talking with a live rep; tell him that you're downgrading from Vista to XP, and give him the Vista product key. The rep is supposed to walk you through the rest.

Where do I get the XP install disc? Until this summer, Microsoft put the responsibility on the end users' shoulders. For example, in this Vista downgrade rights document targeting resellers, the company said "media is provided by the customer." 

However I went to ask.com and typed in download windows xp for free.  If you click the link above there is also a downloadable pdf file that goes into more detail.

Morath

His whole problem is obtaining the XP CD - downgrading is not relevant here.  There is no LEGAL way to download XP without some sort of account with Microsoft.  Even then, his Product Key would not work (although I've heard of manual activations in cases like this - requires a phone call on a good day to Microsoft). 

Ask.com ... nice.  That will get him nothing but trouble.

Oh, I wanted to add one thing though I rarely disagree with Fireberd because he is right 99.99999999 percent of the time and I totally respect him, but the eula agreement put on the software by Microsoft actually says and I quote....Its ays any single workstation computer not only the orginal computer

 Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not be used by more than one processor at any one time on any single Workstation Computer. Installation and use. You may install, use, access, display and run one copy of the Software on a single computer, such as a workstation, terminal or other device ("Workstation Computer"). The Software may not be used by more than one processor at any one time on any single Workstation Computer.

It goes on to say that you can sell the software separately under the following conditions...and I quote

SCOPE OF LICENSE.  The software is licensed, not sold.  This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software.  The manufacturer or installer and Microsoft reserve all other rights.  Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement.  In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways. 

With my Vista version it even goes over the downgrading option...again I quote

        DOWNGRADE.  Instead of using the software, you may use one of the following earlier versions:

·     Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional,

·     Microsoft® Windows® Professional x64 Edition, or

·     Microsoft® Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition.

This agreement applies to your use of the earlier versions.  If the earlier version includes different components, any terms for those components in the agreement that comes with the earlier version apply to your use of them.  Neither the manufacturer or installer, nor Microsoft is obligated to supply earlier versions to you.  You must obtain the earlier version separately.  At any time, you may replace an earlier version with this version of the software.

What that says to myself is you can get the software for free it's the license that costs and now Microsoft is standing behind the free downgrade as I stated in my earlier post.  So go to any search engine and type in download windows xp for free an you'll find a bunch...just don't download those illegal cracks and keygenerators THAT would be illegal

theflash1932

Actually before I posted that I asked my brother in law who is a corporate lawyer if I was understanding that correctly he said that it clearly states that the license is sold not the software...again I quote Microsoft EULA Agreement.

SCOPE OF LICENSE.  The software is licensed, not sold.  This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software.  The manufacturer or installer and Microsoft reserve all other rights.  Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement.  In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways

Oh and I did state he could go to ANY search engine.  Not only ask.com. Clearly stated that....I would never recommend one search engine over another as they are all basically the same.  I did do my homework.

Sources cited on EULA agreement: Microsoft  that can be found at: Microsoft's website...you do agree that Microsoft is aware of the wording in their own legal document, right???  Sources cited: Microsoft Eula Agreement page 5 paragraph 8 to be exact.  A copy of this agreement can be downloaded in pdf format from Microsoft's website at:

http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Windows%20Vista_Ultimate_English_36d0fe99-75e4-4875-8153-889cf5105718.pdf

I'm not going to argue with you over this ... I am not a corporate lawyer, and just because your b-i-l is doesn't make your hammer heavier or that what he says is authoritative at all - for all we know he writes HR docs.  To be honest, I didn't go back to read it, because I find it hard to believe that 95% of those in the IT field have simply misunderstood the EULA for the last 20 years.  Why is it then that MS polices sites like eBay for "illegal" distribution of their software?   If indeed it is legal to simply download it, why are there no "official" locations for the download - like Microsoft, Dell, HP, CNET?  Why wouldn't there be safer ways to obtain it than some strange bit-torrent you found on Ask.com?  (Not all search engines are the same, and I'm not sure what the difference is if you endorse one over another.)

I just don't understand how your post here was relevant to his problem.  He needs a Dell XP CD to properly activate and use the license he has.  If indeed he can use his Windows 7 PK to downgrade, then he still needs the XP CD - why not get one that will avoid the risk of downloading a copy from a shady source and avoid the unnecessary work and expense of downgrading?

you can use that disc as many times as you like on as many different computers as you like.  anything you use it on has to have a coa on it with the same version of the os on it;. i've used dell xp restore cd's on ibm's gateways and dells many times. you won't even have to activate it, it does it automatically coz the coa is stored in the hardware of the computer.  again, you don't have to buy the os, you already own the os, per the coa.  you're just reinstalling it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Windows-XP-Pro-Srv-Pack2-Opertg-System-Re-Install-Disc-/260664254920?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cb0cce1c8

if your machine already had xp on it and the coa says xp on it then all you need is the xp restore disc to reload the os.  you already own the os, all you're doing is reinstalling it.  you need a disc like this one. make sure the version is the same.  if it's xp home or xp pro you need the disc to match.  but they're cheap and you don't have to buy a whole new operating system. just that disc.  i probably have 2 or three of them laying around here somewhere.  i think i paid 10 bucks apiece for them.