I normally don't take computer problems here but since I can't get into my email to register at a computer forum, this is the only forum I can think of to handle it.
I had a Dell desktop, XP, some years back for which I got and used a reinstallation disk sent to me from Dell to reformat. The original product code for the XP Dell is stuck on the case. It died. I shall call this the Old Dell. This was 3 years ago.
So 3 years ago I bought a new netbook, Windows 7 and used that until that went bad yesterday. A few months ago I bought a used XP Dell nearly identical to the one I had 3 years ago at a yard sale. I bought this one because I wanted an XP machine to use for DOS programs. I shall call this new machine the New Dell.
When I brought the New Dell home from the yard sale, I discovered that the original owner used a password to get into it. Finding this person is likely to be impossible-itwas just a yard sale I stopped at on a lark, I don't even have a phone number.
I would like to use the Reinstallation Disk I used on the Old Dell to put a new OS on the New Dell. So, the product code for the XP Home operating system original to the Old Dell I have. The product code for the XP Professional system that the New Dell has I also have. I forgot if the reinstallation disk had a product code or not-I don't have one anyhow. At any rate I would be putting an XP Home reinstallation disk on top of a hard drive with XP Pro.
So my first question is: Can I just reformat the hard drive of the New Dell and install a new XP Home operating system using the XP Home Reinstallation disk I used on the Old Dell? If so, which Product Code should I use-the original Product Code from the Old Dell, (which I reformatted over 3 years ago) or the original XP Pro Product Code which I will be trying to reformat over now?
Like I said,I forgot if the Dell XP Home Reinstallation Disk had its own Product Code-if it did I lost it. Got the disk, but no Product Code.
Any help would be appreciated. And yes, I amstrongly considering going out and buying a new computer, but I figured I would try this for tonight or tomorrow before doing that.
I had a Dell desktop, XP, some years back for which I got and used a reinstallation disk sent to me from Dell to reformat. The original product code for the XP Dell is stuck on the case. It died. I shall call this the Old Dell. This was 3 years ago.
So 3 years ago I bought a new netbook, Windows 7 and used that until that went bad yesterday. A few months ago I bought a used XP Dell nearly identical to the one I had 3 years ago at a yard sale. I bought this one because I wanted an XP machine to use for DOS programs. I shall call this new machine the New Dell.
When I brought the New Dell home from the yard sale, I discovered that the original owner used a password to get into it. Finding this person is likely to be impossible-itwas just a yard sale I stopped at on a lark, I don't even have a phone number.
I would like to use the Reinstallation Disk I used on the Old Dell to put a new OS on the New Dell. So, the product code for the XP Home operating system original to the Old Dell I have. The product code for the XP Professional system that the New Dell has I also have. I forgot if the reinstallation disk had a product code or not-I don't have one anyhow. At any rate I would be putting an XP Home reinstallation disk on top of a hard drive with XP Pro.
So my first question is: Can I just reformat the hard drive of the New Dell and install a new XP Home operating system using the XP Home Reinstallation disk I used on the Old Dell? If so, which Product Code should I use-the original Product Code from the Old Dell, (which I reformatted over 3 years ago) or the original XP Pro Product Code which I will be trying to reformat over now?
Like I said,I forgot if the Dell XP Home Reinstallation Disk had its own Product Code-if it did I lost it. Got the disk, but no Product Code.
Any help would be appreciated. And yes, I amstrongly considering going out and buying a new computer, but I figured I would try this for tonight or tomorrow before doing that.
1) How will you install the OS if the computer has system/setup/BIOS/Administrator password and you don't have the password? In this case you have to buy a software to crack the password from a third party. This is still very expensive ($80?). Easier (for me) is to open the casing and reset the EEPROM chip manually.
2) There are different distribution CDs. One is to be used with any legal product codes. Another is to be used with a set of product codes that come with the distribution CD (I think this is your case).
3) If the OS was purchased bundled with the machine, you can get the product code from Dell by showing your product service code (can see on the machine) and may be buyer's credentials (that you don't know unfortunately). Basically if it is your rights, you should be able to get it back. Problem is, the cost for DELL technical support is very expensive.
4) XP is not going to be supported anymore. And for computer techies, there are many ways to do illegal things related to cracking a software. Even a kid here know how to solve the software issue, so I'm not really familiar with the legal way.
2) There are different distribution CDs. One is to be used with any legal product codes. Another is to be used with a set of product codes that come with the distribution CD (I think this is your case).
3) If the OS was purchased bundled with the machine, you can get the product code from Dell by showing your product service code (can see on the machine) and may be buyer's credentials (that you don't know unfortunately). Basically if it is your rights, you should be able to get it back. Problem is, the cost for DELL technical support is very expensive.
4) XP is not going to be supported anymore. And for computer techies, there are many ways to do illegal things related to cracking a software. Even a kid here know how to solve the software issue, so I'm not really familiar with the legal way.
Hi!
- Your old Dell had a XP Home OS, made by/for the manuafcturer (OEM).
- Your new Dell has a XP Professional OS, also OEM.
(OEM = Original-Equipment-Manufacturer)
I doubt that you can install AND activate the old OEM XP Home with the product key of the new OEM XP Professional.
Without your old Dell, the old XP Home might be useless, as well as the new XP Professional, if you don't have a password to get into it.
As said before, you could contact Dell and give them the model-number of your new machine to get a recovery-CD from them.
Or you have a look at ebay, there might be retail-versions of WinXP Pro (ServicePack3 included) for serveral machines, like Dell or Fujitsu, available for little money. This way you could reinstall the whole thing as often as you like or need to.
Good luck!
Martin
- Your old Dell had a XP Home OS, made by/for the manuafcturer (OEM).
- Your new Dell has a XP Professional OS, also OEM.
(OEM = Original-Equipment-Manufacturer)
I doubt that you can install AND activate the old OEM XP Home with the product key of the new OEM XP Professional.
Without your old Dell, the old XP Home might be useless, as well as the new XP Professional, if you don't have a password to get into it.
As said before, you could contact Dell and give them the model-number of your new machine to get a recovery-CD from them.
Or you have a look at ebay, there might be retail-versions of WinXP Pro (ServicePack3 included) for serveral machines, like Dell or Fujitsu, available for little money. This way you could reinstall the whole thing as often as you like or need to.
Good luck!
Martin
product keys follows the type of XP. XP home for oem, Branded XP home, XP pro oem and XP pro Branded. They all have different code and different kinds of product key. There are ways to get around this. It might og might not work. One thing for sure is that it's not worth the trouble. I have and old lenovo laptop with lenovo XP pro licens and no installation discs. I had to find some lenovo XP pro laptop discs - type of machine doesen't matter. Later i found out that lenovo sold recovery disc for around 20$ (genuine product and machine specific). Check the price that Dell charges for new discs before spending hours/days trying to find a free copy - or ask the guys next door or collegues if they have the discs for Dell XP pro
Installing Home where you had Pro should not be a problem; downgrading isn't an issue but they (MS) aren't happy with the other way.
Where is the password? to get into the OS or in BIOS? If OS, not hard because you will wipe the OS with a clean install. BIOS is a problem but not insurmountable.
Abs (MCP)
Where is the password? to get into the OS or in BIOS? If OS, not hard because you will wipe the OS with a clean install. BIOS is a problem but not insurmountable.
Abs (MCP)
BTW, I have a Dell laptop and will never buy another Dell product while my bottom points to the ground.
The Dell XP reinstlation disk just checks if it is being instaled on a Dell it never ask for the COA key numbers.
Only for a month, windows will require that you type in the product key. I have a Dell OEM on a self build HTPC. I could be different on a DELL product
Id only have a Dell if it was gratis.
Their OEM XP is a mare, i had the same experience and gave up trying to fix it.
Yours,
A former Dell logistics operative.
Their OEM XP is a mare, i had the same experience and gave up trying to fix it.
Yours,
A former Dell logistics operative.
I did this for my sister when she forgot her password. You boot from Linux and use the password recover software. Easy. But if you can do a fresh XP install with the serial #, that's the preferred way to go.
FWIW, we have about 100 Dell laptops here at work, and none have ever died, that I know of. Some are old and slow, but not dead yet! 🙂 I'm banging this out on an old Latitude D820 and it works just fine.
For 30 bucks geek squad can remove the password. They have a disk they install and it removes the password. If the machine works then it is worth an extra 30 bucks to unlock it.
Brian:
But I only paid 15 bucks for the machine at the yard sale! 😛
It was near the end of the day and when I asked for a computer they led me to the garage where all the participants, (multi-family), had dumped their old computers and CRT monitors. I'm sure I could have gotten it for less but I was too embarrassed to offer lower for a functioning computer.
Seriously, your suggestion is a good one and one that I will definitely use if I don't find a way around this password thing fairly soon. Like a day or two. Thanks for the tip.
But I only paid 15 bucks for the machine at the yard sale! 😛
It was near the end of the day and when I asked for a computer they led me to the garage where all the participants, (multi-family), had dumped their old computers and CRT monitors. I'm sure I could have gotten it for less but I was too embarrassed to offer lower for a functioning computer.
Seriously, your suggestion is a good one and one that I will definitely use if I don't find a way around this password thing fairly soon. Like a day or two. Thanks for the tip.
I'm sure they do... 🙂
I'm also sure that 90+ out of 100 were dropped or thrown 6feet onto a conveyor.
But its not like other brands Don't also have the same treatment. I'm just speaking from my experience in Europe's only distribution centre for Dell (and Apple) products.(2001-2007)
I wouldn't buy an Apple either.... Megalol
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Check your BIOS settings. Can you change the boot priority or not.
When you want to install new OS, the BIOS must be set to read the drive where you put the installation CD before the drive where you have the old OS. In BIOS setup it is called BOOT PRIORITY or such.
If it is passworded, you need the software to crack it. $30 is imo fair for US "price". Alternatively you have to have access to the 8-pin CMOS EEPROM chip (similar to opamp) and jumper the specific legs during start up.
The location of the chip can be anywhere on the motherboard (depends on the computer model). If you're lucky it can be just under the ethernet card (you only need to open the keyboard along with the ethernet card).
There is a youtube video on how to do it with a certain model (yes, sometimes you have to open the whole casing to get access to the chip, where the $30 is I think a fair cost for the service job).
Set the BIOS to boot from optical drive and install the new OS, voila!
If you need a clean installation image (what you burn to a DVD/CD to use), they can be downloaded from the web. I think all up to, and including, that pox Windows 7 is available.
Abs
If the password is the user password at OS startup, why not log on as "Administrator" using the safe mode ?
Then you can add a new user to groups and remove the old user...
Then you can add a new user to groups and remove the old user...
That will work. Normally you should push F8 or another F key to interrupt normal boot. No you can choose different boot types. Try google - there are several step-by-step tutorials to do this.
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