Installed WinXP MCE on Inspiron 1100, worked!!!

I used the $10 Dell WinXP MCE DVD that came with my E1505 to do a clean XP install on my old Inspiron 1100. Bit surprised.

The XP install routine went w/o a hitch, NO activation code needed, the install included the Dell 30 minute banner, again no problems. The biggest problem was the small starting screen, VGA or less. Had to quickly install the Intel video driver to get to XGA.

My conclusion, those red Dell WinXP MCE DVD's are gold, worth the $10.

BTW, the 1100 is off to PA tomorrow, sold to an eBay buyer.

Hermit

 

So, what are you running on your 1505? You can't use your copy of MCE anymore, since it's now on the 1100. How did you move your COA from the 1505? Those things are pretty sticky.

 

Good job, you just technically commited a crime. If you're still using your MCE on the 1505 and have it installed another computer then sold to another party. Illegal to run two copies of the same operating system on 2 seperate systems.

 

Obviously I did and the E1505 has XP MCE from the very same DVD. That was my "Bit Surprised."

COA???

I assume, thought I'm not absolutely certain, that this copy, any copy of XP MCE can be installed on an infinite number of Dell computers, hence my attribution of gold. At least that is my conclusion from my simple test.

I have yet to try an install on a non-Dell computer. Don't have a ready candidate.

Hermit

 

You can install any dell oem operating system cd on any computer as many times as you want. But it's still illegal. They come with serial keys for a reason. 1 per computer.

 

Technically perhaps, you suppose Bill is going to come down from his perch and get me?

Besides the 1100 has with it a still shrink wrapped copy of XP Home that the buyer will receive.

This was and is an intellectual exercise into what is possible. I would assume that by MS giving Dell this unrestricted freedom, Dell agrees to pay an OS fee for every unit sold. Except for servers, I don't think it possible to buy a Dell w/o an OS.

Hermit

 

Says I paid for my operating system on my invoice. At a lower than retail cost but says I paid for it.

 

Okay, the reason Dell's don't need keys upon installation, is because they can't input all the keys manually on every machine produced, simply because it'd take too much time, and Dell doesn't boot up the system (the Customer is the first to boot, unless it's a refurb).

What you should of done, was take the XP Home you are shipping it with and install that. Technically, you are no longer legally allowed to run MCE on your E1505 since you installed it on the 1100. Just because it lets you, doesn't mean it's legal. Your car (at least most) let you go 100+, but that doesn't mean it's legal

As for Dell shipping machines minus Operating Systems, you can only do that in the Business sections, due to support reasons. Dell cannot support Operating Systems they don't know, or don't ship with. Same thing goes with Businesses, but most have VLK's and such, so they make exceptions there...

 

Having a key for a new computer is quite different than a key on a reinstall. All the time I did this I was expecting either a key request or some other interupt. Just didn't happen . . . surprised. I sold the 1100 to an eBayer w/o OS installed. The only reason my red DVD was in there was to format the HD. So I did a "what the hay" let's see what happens. Surprised it worked.

So how does Dell know the PC is good? What if there's a loose connection? Doesn't seem possible to not boot as part of QA.

Hermit

 

That's quite the opposite, a key is a key. It is good for a new machine, reinstall, whatever. However, most keys can only be activated twice. It doesn't matter what you have done, an activation is an activation. It doesn't ask for a key, nor is it supposed to.

As for QA, Dell runs an extended POST (Power on Self Test) prior to shipping, but never actually boots.

 

Its too late, the damage is done.

You better melt that hard drive down with a blow torch then wait for darkness to fall so you can slip out of the country undetected before the man catches up to you.

You just made the FBI 10 most wanted list.

 

Regardless of personal opinions, what Hermit did was illegal. Yes, it works. No, you aren't asked for a key. However, this does not make it right. You need a valid key for every copy of XP that is installed, unless you have a volume license agreement. You can't use an XP Home key for XP MCE. I'm pointing this out for all computer novices that happen upon this thread, hopefully preventing them from making this mistake.

 

I tried this on my 8600 after i reformatted my XPS. Everything worked out fine, like you would install it normally.

What i did, was not illegal

 

@nickspohn: As long as you have two valid MCE (or whatever version of XP you have) keys for both machines, you did nothing illegal.

 

Interesting

If i bought Windows Home from Dell, and then this cd came with my XPS, i can install it. I never was asked a for a Cd-Key

So it looks like, the one that i got, which i did not pay extra for, i can do it.

I cant figure out why i wasnt asked for a Cd-Key though, and thats the only thing i can think of.

 

Let's take Dell out of the equation for the moment and focus on the XP EULA. You must have a valid key for every XP installation. Normally an OEM affixes a COA to the computer during the manufacturing process that has a valid key for a particular version of XP. Businesses usually purchase a volume license agreement, which gives them permission to install an operating system on a certain number of machines. In that case, each computer will not have a COA affixed to it.

Dell's XP installation disks do not ask for a key. Dell has an agreement with Microsoft that allows them to do this. However, that does not relieve your legal requirement to have a valid key.

Bottom line: If you have a computer running XP, you must have a valid key for that computer. If you transfer the operating system to a new computer, you must remove the operating system from the original system. If you have two or more computers running an operating system that you installed using the same Dell XP installation disk, you are in violation of the EULA.

 

Can we stop throwing the illegal word around?


Illegal - against the law: forbidden by law

There is no US law that forbids the installing of software on more than one computer.

"contract dispute" works alot better

http://www.microscum.com/mmpafaq/

 

How about: violates the EULA.

 

Thank You!!!

 

Here's what I hope everyone comes away with from this thread: you can't use your reinstall disk to install XP on more than one computer at a time. Just because the disk doesn't ask for a key doesn't give you the right to do so.

I know it seems like a small point to some people, but in the end it's an integrity issue, and integrity is a value I hold in high esteem. Enough said on this issue.

 

FACTS:

1. an OEM OS disc (regardless of where you get it) never requires a key; this is part of WHY it's an OEM disc.

2. you are only allowed to install one copy of XP for every 1 license you own. if you happened to get an OEM copy of XP from your notebook manufacturer, that is NOT a license to install it on any computer you want. it's how OEMs send out their OS discs, that is all

3. installing multiple copies is ILLEGAL because it is PIRACY. it can either be a civil action (the RIAA sues you) AND/OR a criminal action (federal or state authorities prosecute you).

if this turns into a bunch of stupidity about it NOT being illegal, i'm closing this thread.

 

this is a ridiculous supposition.

there is no law that says it is illegal for me to chop your head off with a rusty spoon. but it's still illegal, because, assuming it was premeditated, it's first degree murder.