Re-installing Windows XP

mrsw

Due to virus problems that I could not get rid of, I had to reformat my hard drive. My Dell laptop, purchased in 2003, had XP Pro pre-installed, but I don't have the installation disk and I don't know which service pack it was. I borrowed an XP Pro retail disk from a friend, but it wouldn't accept my product key. Would this be because Dell installed an OEM licence?

What are my options now? Can I purchase a retail copy of XP Pro, install it and use the product key supplied with in? Or is my laptop locked into the product key supplied by Dell?

Thanks for any advice.

codheadling

what is the model name/number of your laptop

Browntoa

Any Dell XP pro CD will do

I picked one up off ebay for £10

mrsw

Browntoa wrote: »

Any Dell XP pro CD will do

I picked one up off ebay for £10

Even an SP2 CD, even though I bought my laptop before this SP was issued?

KeithP

Yes mrsw, an SP2 CD is good... as long as its Dell XP Pro.

LuciferTDark

My Son's pc had to have XP reinstalled a while back, couldn't find the cd that came with it so used the one that came with my machine, mine's a Medion his is a Dell, no trouble whatsoever installing & I didn't need the product key although I had his to hand.