Dell Windows Xp cd on a Non-Dell PC

Tinuel

Evening all,

I have a reinstallation cd from an old Dell PC I had, can I install that version of Xp on a non-Dell PC?
It has never been used, it's still sealed with the cd key. I need to re-install Windows Xp on my current PC. The registry keys have been damaged by what looks like a virus.

When loading up it just stays on the Windows XP screen with the blue bar moving on the bottom.

Can I format/install the Dell version? If so, how?
Many thanks,

Dime_Bar

What does the disk say on it? As long as it is a Operating System CD disk only it should be ok. I use a Dell one all the time for all manner of PC's.

Not sure what the Home ones are like but the XP Pro ones are Grey with SP1 and Green with SP2.

Tinuel

Dime Bar,

The main title on the cd is:
Operating system, already installed on your computer.

Small text: Reinstallation CD, Microsoft Windows Xp Professional ,service pack 2.

It's a green CD!!
Hope this helps

albertross_2

You could use it to do a chkdsk in recovery console, or a repair

unrich

A friend of a friend has a home built PC quite old now.

He couldn't afford full blown XP at the time and bought a Dell XP CD with COA and key unused in a sealed bag.

It installed perfectly and registered itself without problem.

After mucking about with other operating systems the friend of a friend even found that MS gave a full code after the three installations had been exceeded. No difficult questions about whether the PC was a Dell or not!! It was in the spirit of being installed on only one PC and had the COA and key.

As for using it to install over another version I think he would be unsure.

If my friend was in your position he might have a try at installing the Dell XP version on a brand new disk as a clean install. Then recovering/re-installing/restoring everything else on the new build. Using the old disk as a secondary.

Hopefully ending up with a nice a clean system with no possible underlying disk issues.

Anyway the friend has now put linux on the machine.

Tinuel

Thanks friend of a friend!! LOL

Dime_Bar

Yes the green disk will be fine. When you have installed make sure you check for updates though.

VictorMeldew

Is it asking for a driver or controller? My Dell Inspiron laptop did this when I tried to put windows onto a new hard drive using the XP recovery disk supplied by Dell. I got around this by pressing F7 part way through the startup ( I think when it asks do you need to install an SCSI controller) and it installed fine. Not sure why it worked - my brother inlaw told me about it!

Sorry - just re-read your post. Thought you'd already tried using the disk on a non-dell pc. Try the above if you have any problems though.

Tinuel

All,


I installed the XP Pro this morning, however all the devices, ethernet adapter, ports and even the floppy and cd-rom driver have a yellow question mark on device manager. I can't connect to the internet. Is it something on Bios? Please heelllp!!

ABH_3

Tinuel wrote: »

All,


I installed the XP Pro this morning, however all the devices, ethernet adapter, ports and even the floppy and cd-rom driver have a yellow question mark on device manager. I can't connect to the internet. Is it something on Bios? Please heelllp!!

With Dell there are two cds, 1) Operating System (Green) 2) Drivers and Utilities (Blue) you run the 2nd disk, it opens your browser and you're able to choose which of the drivers to install, lasttime I did it. I chose them all, it then reboots your computer after applying all the drivers and utilities restarting each time and presenting you the same page in your web browser.

If you're using a dell computer and haven't got access to the Drivers and Utilities cd, then you could use the Service Tag option, though of course you need internet access to download them: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx? or: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/topic.aspx/emea/shared/support/my_systems_info/en/details?c=uk&l=en&s=gen the service tag should be found on the bottom of a laptop, or the back of the PC case.

HTH

startrekker

Tinuel wrote: »

I have a reinstallation cd from an old Dell PC I had, can I install that version of Xp on a non-Dell PC?

The drivers arent installed because you have only installed the operating system. You would need your motherboard cd which would have all the device drivers on it.

You could download Belarc Advisor which will help you find out which devices you have, or open up the case and look for the motherboard manufacturer and model number and download direct from their site..