Dell Reinstallation Disk Is............

[jedihobbit]

Okay being noobie.......a dell reinstallation disk (SP Pro) will only work with a dell system, correct?

[NEOAethyr]

....
Yes and no.
Most likely no.

Needs dell bios acpi slic table and the oem cert on the disk it's self meant for that specific key.
Which is generally just one or 2 keys per oem.

If the disk isn't a recovery disk, if it's a windows disk.
It'll install, but you won't beable to use it for very long.

If it's a recovery disk, not very likely that you'll even beable to to install from it.

I'm afraid that it's a 99% chance that you'll need an original windows disk.
And not a recovery or oem windows disk.

You can try, but do note it could be a 20min waste of your time .

[desnudopenguino]

This summer I reloaded xp on a family computer (dell) using the original install discs, even though the hardware has changed a bit (new hdd, motherboard, and upgraded ram), it worked fine. Well except for needing to load the sata (raid) drivers with a floppy during install. This was the XP install disc that came with the system, not the system restore disc. I also had access to the original key for the license and it's still chugging along as we speak.

[TJ TRICHEESE]

I've used a dell xp disc to install on another computer thats not dell and it worked fine

[Ket]

I've used OEM install disks loads (not recovery disks) on all kinds of different systems and they work fine. All you have to do is use the key stuck to the case (usually back).

[Sparky]

Dell OEM install CD requires to be installed on a Dell to not need key input or activation. But if you use it on another PC, it won't ask for a key during the windows install, but then once it boots into windows it'll be like hey this ain't no dell! and bug you for an OEM key and activation.

No, it won't work with a retail box key.

[jedihobbit]

Yeah to avoid any hassle I just used an HDD that had another copy of XP already loaded and just re-initialized....it be working fine except for a clitch I created with the 3870!

[jstutman]

What if he has the OEM Key? Can it not be installed, and jellybean the OEM key?
He would then have to call the 800 number to activate it, as the online activation would fail.

[Sparky]

What if he has the OEM Key? Can it not be installed, and jellybean the OEM key?
He would then have to call the 800 number to activate it, as the online activation would fail.

Not always. I've done online activation of XP with OEM keys many times.