Dell XP recovery disk

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I bought a Dell computer with XP Pro pre-installed several years ago. Can I install XP Pro from the disk that came with that computer onto a new computer that I'm building?

[Crm7290]

You can try but I really doubt that it would work. Those disks are usually connected to the machine they came with.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

How are they connected? I have the numbers on a sticker on the computer. Can't I just use those for the new install? Does the install know it is a different configuration?

[upnorth]

Legally, no! And I think Dell install disks are tied to the Dell Bios. That is only a guess cuz you it puts all the licensing in for you.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Where can I get XP now days? Can't run anything else because of some proprietary software issues.

[Jim Almquist]

If you can come up with a valid key I can get you a copy of XP or XP Pro. Not sure why you would not want to go with Windows 7. I have been using it for 5 months and can't really say anything bad about it. Lots of cool features as well.

I also have disk for Service Packs 2 & 3 if needed.

[upnorth]

A quick google search turned up a few sites still selling XP. You could also look into Windows 7 XP mode.

Windows 7 XP mode

Have used this a couple times already myself.

[Jim Almquist]

A quick google search turned up a few sites still selling XP. You could also look into Windows 7 XP mode.

Windows 7 XP mode

Have used this a couple times already myself.

Funny you bring this up because we just covered it in class this week. Run stuff in XP as a virtual machine if it will not work in compatibility mode. That was just another cool thing that Win. 7 can do.

[Valv]

I don't think it should be a problem installing XP into another machine. It is a complete separate unit from the computer you bought. As long as you don't install it and run it on 2 different systems, it is your software and you can use as you like it. Once installed you can call Microsoft and activate it using the serial number on the case of the old computer. I had 4 systems at my house, 2 belonged to the kids which obviously downloaded cra p every month. They system was wiped every 6 months and I used any of the OS packages that came with them, called MS, explained the issue, and got a new code every time.

The point is, as long as you OWN 1 copy of the software you can install it in 1 machine as you please.

[upnorth]

If the OS(windows XP, 7, Vista) came with the machine, it is consider OEM and the license stays with the machine and not transferable to another PC. That is way of Microsoft licensing. Is right no, but it is how they work with the manufacturers to keep the price down. OEM licensing from Microsoft is substantially cheaper than their normal licenses.

And yes XP mode is a pretty groovy thing

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I need Win 7 64 to run a virtual machine, correct?

[Jim Almquist]

It should fine with a 32 bit system but you at least 2Gb of ram. Here is a link to check if your machine can run it:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/de...;displaylang=en

Here is a link to the software you need in order to run it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Hope this info helps.

Here are the notes from our class:

IV.Windows XP Mode for Windows 7

a. Windows XP Mode is a downloadable compatibility option for the Professional, Enterprise, and

Ultimate editions of Windows 7.

b. Windows XP Mode uses Microsoft Virtual PC to run Windows XP virtually under Windows 7.

c. The applications you install in Virtual PC are made available in the Windows 7 Start Menu, so

the user may not know the application is running in a virtual machine.

d. Windows XP Mode requires a processor that supports hardware virtualization using AMD-V or

Intel VT options. These options are often disabled in the BIOS and may need to be turned on.

e. A utility that checks if your computer supports hardware virtualization is available at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=0ee2a17f-8538-4619-8d1c-

05d27e11adb2&displaylang=en

f. If you set this option in your BIOS, you should do a complete power off of your system, as a

warm reboot may not enable the setting.

g. The system on which you run Windows XP Mode allocates 256 MB of RAM to the XP Mode

client, so the Windows 7 system must have a minimum of 2 GB of RAM.

h. To install an application in Windows XP Mode:

i. First, be sure your system supports hardware virtualization.

ii. Second, download and install the two components of the Windows XP Mode (Windows

XP Mode and Windows Virtual PC). They can be obtained here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

iii. Start the XP Mode client from the Windows Virtual PC folder of the Start menu.

iv. Install the legacy application.

v. You can now start the legacy application from the Windows 7 Start menu, under Virtual

Windows XP Applications. The application appears to run in Windows 7, though it is

really running in a virtual machine.

i. Windows XP Mode applications can be copied to the desktop or Taskbar so they look like any

other Windows 7 application.

j. Windows XP Mode provides an x86 version of Windows XP Professional SP3. There is not x64

version.

k. Because XP Mode applications are executing in a virtual machine, there will be some

performance overhead.

l. Windows XP Mode should be a last resort, as it requires more system resources than built-in or

custom compatibility modes.

m. Understand that Windows XP Mode requires more administration, as the Windows XP running

in Virtual PC requires all the care (virus software, updates) that the host operating system

requires.

[Crm7290]

Jimalm what class are you taking?

Wish-I-were-I would go with Windows 7. What software are you worried about running? A simple google search will show if it works with 7 or not. Aren't they going to be dropping full support for XP soon anyway?

[Jim Almquist]

That was from my Windows Client class.

[upnorth]

There are more than a couple apps that won't run under Windows 7 and a few that just won't run on 64 bit. We deal with a version of quick books and more than a few business apps that won't run on Windows 7.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Own a machine shop and a few high end programs won't run on Win 7 without buying the updated version, which I don't want to do.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Jim, that is not detail for running a virtual machine, only XP mode, which is different I believe.

[delcecchi]

no, I don't believe so. But if you check around you might find someone with a copy of xp laying around that you could purchase.

In fact I have one new in box that I probably won't ever use. Still got original shrink wrap. Never got around to building machine to put it on.

But check on xp mode too.

[upnorth]

Wish check the link I posted it allows you to download Virtual machine for Windows 7.

BTW I spent 12 years working in Machines shops back in the late 70s early 80s. Miss the days where I could just punch out at the end of the day and not worry about it til the next day

[Jim Almquist]

Jim, that is not detail for running a virtual machine, only XP mode, which is different I believe.

Basically the program runs in Windows 7 and to the user it is transparent but it is running on XP in a virtual machine within Win 7. If I remember right the first program you download is the software that will emulate XP and the second download is the software to make it run as a virtual machine.

[upnorth]

Some info and the download on Window 7 Virtual PC and Xp Mode. You literally install an app that install a "virtual" XP PC within your Windows 7 system.

Virtual PC

[Scott K]

I run Windows 7 Pro and I need to run virtual XP, works great to run the needed programs, but a few tricky things that dont work are printing to PDF, scanners, printers, you have to go back to the Windows 7 side to print, the 2 dont share the same drivers. Basically all it is, is a tab and you click it, and you are running on XP, then click back and you are back to Windows 7.

I need to use it because my work programs arent updated to work on the new system yet.

[spearchucker]

You will need to install the drivers for the scanners/printers on the XP virtual machine in order to print. You have to look at the virtual machine as a totally separate PC.

[pureinsanity]

I use to work on dells, NO you cannot install a Dell XP cd on a computer you are building unless you find a new key or some how talk Microsoft into getting you a new key as you already own XP(it is worth a shot).

The Dell CD's are strictly for dells. You can use it on ANY Dell ( or at least you use to be able to. I did it a couple years ago with my XP cd to my moms dell to get rid of vista).

If you do install it to your new computer you are building it will give you a 30 day trial and that's it. Than your computer is a paper weight until you get a valid key

[blakjack23]

Pureinstanity is correct, a Dell XP CD will work on ANY dell, but not on any other manufacturers PC. Legally, like others mentioned, there are different versions of licensing, some can be transferred to a new PC legally, some are strictly for that PC only.