Help: Have a xp COA but won't work with friends disk..

nu1isit?

Hello!

Just wondering if anyone can help me, or give me some ideas please...
I have a Dell computer, and have recently had to install a new hard drive:eek:. I have a C.O.A. for Windows XP Professional on the side, but no recovery discs...It was suggested to me that I should try someone else's disc and use my code; however it does not work. Is there anyway I can get my genuine copy of windows installed without having to buy another disc (I can't afford it to start with).

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

:D:D

BillScarab

What disc does your friend have? It has to be the same version of Windows as you originalyl had installed. I believe it even needs to be the same Service Pack as well so if yours originalyl had XP pro on it and there disc is XP Pro with SP1 it won't work.

weegie.geek

Recovery disks/partitions are evil. Prebuilt manufacturers should be forced to give you proper winxp discs.

You have a COA but do you have a proper xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx product key?


If it's the same version of XP you're trying it on (oem XP Pro with the same sp) and it's still not working, I'd harass Dell if I were you. I've read that some of these prebuilt manufacturers give you keys/cds specific to them, the keys won't work on non-dell versions of xp for instance. PITA.

dkpoole

I had the same problem with a Dell laptop.
I used an OEM XP Pro disc I had but it wouldn't accept the COA code so had to use another code just to install.
I re installed using a Dell recovery disk - actually a fully edition of XP - and it installed without even asking for COA codes

Conor_3

There are two types of Windows XP CD Key - pre and post SP1. This is because MS changed the algorythm used with the CD key validation in service pack 1 to try and combat the keygens that were widely available. What this means is that a pre SP1 CD key will not work with a SP1 or later installation CD.

Chances are you're using a pre SP1 version CD key with a SP1 or later CD or vice-versa.

stan747

you need the dell re-installation disks to work with the key (coa) drop me a pm with your addy and i'll send you a copy of the one i have.

banger9365

there are 3 xp home versions or four if you include media centre (not include xp pro) the main ones are
XP the first release
XP sp1 second release
XP sp2 thired release
all home versions
put they all say version 2002 on and look the same,unless dell/hp ect made the disk
each COA will only work with the right version of XP and if it's pro there are a few more version in xp pro put the same applies
and how do you find out which one ??? what year did you get the pc
it the easly way to find out which one
xp 2001 to
XP sp1 , 2002
XP sp2 , 2004
i think if i rememder right,thats what i go on and usally works +six month for the disk to be used by poeple that make the pc's
silly me forgot a version XP sp1a was 2003 ( i still have them in packets they come in {i am sad})

robt_2

I know it does not immediatly help you, but if you ring Dell they will send you *all* the discs for recovery of software for free (they did for me anyway).

nu1isit?

:DThanks to everyone who's offered help:D

I'm going to take the advice and ring dell, see if they can send me some recovery discs...

Thanks to everyone again...:beer:

Conor_3

There's a Dell WinXP Home recovery CD on Bittorrent at the moment. It's for a 9100 but it works with all Dells although you'll need to get drivers for your hardware. It will only install on Dells.

IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL to download and use this if you have a valid Windows XP CoA. You pay for the licence to use Windows XP, not the media.

robt_2

Conor wrote: »

There's a Dell WinXP Home recovery CD on Bittorrent at the moment. It's for a 9100 but it works with all Dells although you'll need to get drivers for your hardware. It will only install on Dells.

IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL to download and use this if you have a valid Windows XP CoA. You pay for the licence to use Windows XP, not the media.

The OP wanted XP Pro

If you do decide to download the correct version of Windows, it is worth ringing Dell anyway - for all the other CDs they will send you. They sent me installation media for all the pre-installed software, for XP, and all drivers etc. They didn't just send a recovery disc.