Dell XP restore discs - usage question?

wimbleQ

Hello

We had a Dell desktop PC which is not very well. It came with discs to restore Windows XP and also the software disc for Word etc.

Our question is are we allowed to use these discs to put on to any other PC we buy and if so would they work if we don't buy another Dell or would they be geared somehow to only work with another Dell PC?

We are thinking of just picking up a cheap used PC.

Would the discs just self-load on to a new PC without difficulty?

Ta muchly

Browntoa

Dell XP Cd's only install on Dell PC's with no problem as Dell have a "Service Tag" on their PC's that the CD sees.Try and install on a non Dell and it will need a valid COA number for XP

wimbleQ

Hello Browntoa

Thank you. What is a "COA"? We still have the old PC itself which has a sticker with a reference/serial number on it, is this the COA and, if so, does this mean we could put it onto another PC and legally or would this be breaching copyright?

If it is okay to do then when put in will it just run itself automatically and then ask for the reference number to be entered?

Thank you again.

cmatt360

wimbleQ wrote: »

Hello Browntoa

Thank you. What is a "COA"? We still have the old PC itself which has a sticker with a reference/serial number on it, is this the COA and, if so, does this mean we could put it onto another PC and legally or would this be breaching copyright?

If it is okay to do then when put in will it just run itself automatically and then ask for the reference number to be entered?

Thank you again.

certificate of authenticity.

and no - afaik it will look for a service tag which is burned into the bios and render your installation useless.

XP retails for around 45 oem (pro version) now anyway

[Deleted User]

The computer will have come preinstalled with an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows, which is tied to the Motherboard of the machine it was installed on and the terms of the licence do not permit you to use that product key on any other machine.

[Deleted User]

Browntoa wrote: »

Dell XP Cd's only install on Dell PC's with no problem as Dell have a "Service Tag" on their PC's that the CD sees.Try and install on a non Dell and it will need a valid COA number for XP

and it probably wouldnt work either because all the drivers would be for the dell hardware,