Dell on Dell

Hey guys and gals, please correct me if I'm wrong, but is it true that you can install Win XP pro from a Dell reinstallation CD on a Dell computer that was running Win Home, without a product key ?? My friend (a tech) said he installed XP Pro on a a Dell running XP Home, and he didn't need a key because and Dell disk will work on a Dell PC without the key. True or False ?? He also says he upgraded Win 98 to XP Pro the same way. Thanks.

 

Maybe, but probably not.


Some of these reinstallation disks check for specific motherboards. If that model never came with XP Pro, it will likely fail. SLP media checks the BIOS for certain things to make sure you aren't doing the very thing you are talking about.

Either way, it isn't really "legit", so....we are just discussing this theoretically, right? I'd hate to have to close the thread

 

Hey TimW, that is what I heard but I was just curios. Adrynalyne, trust me, I would never risk anything doing what is not legit or that is wrong in any way. He just kept telling me that you can use a Dell disk on a Dell computer without the key, and being that I'm on the MG board, I know for a fact you guys will know the answer, I thoroughly respect your opinions. Thank both of you very much.

 

Dell disks don't have the key built in.


They are SLP, meaning the key is the hardware. Whether this works or not is entirely dependent on how closely the SLP media checks the BIOS. If it just looks for a generic Dell code, then it would work. If it checks model as well....as you can imagine, it probably will fail to work.

The only way it would be remotely possible to work from 98se to XP like mentioned, is if the machine was sold at the end of that era, and/or had a BIOS update that enabled SLP media. SLP didn't come about until Windows 2000 or XP, I don't think.

 

Actually, you had me recall something that did bug me out once.

I have a pretty solid collection of software discs, and many are OEM Dell discs. I did have a Dell once that when I did the OS install, it did not ask for the license key to be typed in. It activated with no issue, and I never typed in a key.

So, I can say from firsthand experience it has happened at least once on a fresh install.