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July 4th, 2008 16:00

Dell Reinstallation CD on a different Dell Computer?

I have a Windows XP reinstallation CD from Dell. I think it's originally for a XPS 630. I have a new XPS 730 with preinstalled Vista coming in, can I use the XP CD from XPS 630 to install on my XPS 730? I really don't want to use Vista.

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46K Posts

July 4th, 2008 17:00

bigwatch

A Dell OEM reinstallation disc, can be used on a different computer, if the disc is the same version, that was factory installed.

Bev.


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23 Posts

July 4th, 2008 18:00

I see. So you're saying that in my case, it won't work because my XPS 730 is preinstalled with Vista?

326 Posts

July 4th, 2008 19:00

Your new Dell is an XPS M1730 right, as there is no M730 model.

Your XP cd should work fine. But you will need to download all

the XP Drivers from the Dell web site. If, however, what you have

is a Recovery CD then it may not work, as that has drivers on it

and also loads a bunch of applications. 

 

Link to M1730 drivers

 

 http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=&SystemID=XPS_1730

Message Edited by 85rx-7se on 07-04-2008 04:17 PM

23 Posts

July 4th, 2008 19:00

My XPS 730 is not a laptop. It is a desktop...

 

I've spoken to a couple of people from tech support at Dell. Some say it'll be ok, others say not. Apparently my new XPS 730 has the Vista product key information embedded into its motherboard so it will not ask for a product key when using the original reinstallation cd that comes with my 730. Which means if I use the 630 Windows XP reinstallation cd, it'll ask me for a product key that I don't have... I think?

 

Will it ask for a product key if I'm installing from a Windows XP reinstallation cd onto the XPS that originally came with Vista?

2.5K Posts

July 4th, 2008 19:00


@bigwatch wrote:
I see. So you're saying that in my case, it won't work because my XPS 730 is preinstalled with Vista?

Your computer is most likely not licensed to install or run on Windows XP

326 Posts

July 4th, 2008 20:00

Lucky dell still has XP drivers for that model

 

Link below:

 

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=-1&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=XPS_730&hidos=WLH&hidlang=en

 

Same info above applies .. Get your drivers downloaded before you start.

2.5K Posts

July 5th, 2008 01:00


@bigwatch wrote:

My XPS 730 is not a laptop. It is a desktop...

 

I've spoken to a couple of people from tech support at Dell. Some say it'll be ok, others say not. Apparently my new XPS 730 has the Vista product key information embedded into its motherboard so it will not ask for a product key when using the original reinstallation cd that comes with my 730. Which means if I use the 630 Windows XP reinstallation cd, it'll ask me for a product key that I don't have... I think?

 

Will it ask for a product key if I'm installing from a Windows XP reinstallation cd onto the XPS that originally came with Vista?


The OEM Windows setup Dell uses does not ask for a product key when being installed, but will prompt for a product key on Product Activation if it thinks your Windows is not installed on the appropraite machine, at which point you cannot use your Vista product key to activate your Windows XP (unless that is you have a Vista Business license or above)

 

Vista Home Basic and Home Premium are not licensed to use Windows XP.

3 Posts

January 16th, 2009 09:00

If two computers are different models, mine is a Latitude and the disk I want to use is from an Inspirion can I use the dell reinstallation cd if they are both running XP

2.2K Posts

January 16th, 2009 11:00

If the OS is the same, you should not have any problems.

Now... about downgrading Vista to XP using an OEM XP disk. Even IF it worked and IF it did not ask for Key, it is still against the EULA to do so.

To downgrade Vista to XP legally, you'd need Vista Ultimate or Vista Professional, and from there, the only allowed downgrade is to XP Professional.

The only other allowed way to use XP on that machine would be to have a retail version with an open/unused license.

132 Posts

January 16th, 2009 15:00

Ive  used my Dell Windows XP CD (purple color) on a Gateway machine for a friend. Worked just fine, and this was two years ago.

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