Hey everyone, I hope I'm posting this in the correct place...

Here's my question... Can I use a Dell OS restore cd to reinstall XP on another laptop? Here's the situation, I'm working on a friends laptop and it has sever virus/trojan issues in the registry that I've been unable to remove. I figure the quickest and easiest solution it so backup needed files and reinstall. Here lies the problem, they do not have a OS installation cd from Dell from when they bought the laptop. I too have a Dell laptop (different model) and I was wondering if I could use my cd from Dell to install XP on my friends laptop as well as my laptop without running into any conflictions??? I realize I will need to downlaod the drivers needed for the different laptop which is no biggie, but didn't know if Dell uses a "defualt" key for those cd's or if each one has it's own seperate key to register...

Let me know if you have any questions or if I need to make something clearer.

Thanks,
Scott

Hello and welcome to PC Help Forum.

Yes you can use the disk as long as it is same operating system lets say he has XP Pro then you need to install XP Pro on his machine.If he has home he needs to have home installed or his key code will not work.

Thanks for your quick response!!

However (I'm not denying your comment by any means), I curious as to why the type of XP would matter. I have XP Pro, but the laptop I'm working on has XP Home. What is it that would be tied to the XP version if it is a brand new reinstall?? Again, not questioning your comment, just trying to understand better.

Thanks again!!
Scott

You can install XP Pro on friends laptop however his key code as in coloured sticker on the bottom is for home.If you install Pro he does not have a Pro key.

You cannot install Pro and use an Xp home key to activate it.

XP Pro=XP Pro key

XP Home=XP Home key.

The XP Pro Disk from a dell supplier is not tied to any computer as it is OEM not retail.

The key he has is home a home key can not be used with pro OS install disk.

I got you... I was thinking that when doing the reinstall, it didn't ask for the key when using the Dell cd... That makes sense.

Thanks.

Your welcome.

As I said it is the key is tied to the laptop not Dell disk.He will need a Pro key to activate the laptop within a ceratin time frame or it will shut down and will have to have Xp reinstalled.

This disk is not the problem.If you buy a retail XP disk they are bought and have there own key supplied with the disk.