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    OS Reinstall Discs?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by wk1989, Aug 20, 2007.

  1. wk1989

    wk1989 Notebook Enthusiast

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    My friend bought an Inspiron 1520 but he doesn't want to use Vista so he installed Xp Pro. He has the Vista reinstall disc, so I want to try Vista on my Vostro 1500 (I ordered with Windows XP). Would the Vista disc that came with the Inspiron 1520 work on Vostro? Also, if he decides to use Vista afterall, is it possible to install the copy of the OS on two PCs?
     
    wk1989, Aug 20, 2007
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  2. bigmo

    bigmo Notebook Consultant

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    Absolutely but having it on both computers at the same time is illegal!
     
    bigmo, Aug 20, 2007
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  3. chuck232

    chuck232 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    It depends. The OEM discs may be tied to a certain system configuration, so you may not be able to activate it.

    And as bigmo says, it is illegal as the OEM version is meant only for the system it shipped with.
     
    chuck232, Aug 20, 2007
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  4. xScorp1on

    xScorp1on Notebook Evangelist

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    If you don't activate it on the originally computer, I don't see why not. And I would think Vostro and Inspirons would have the same internals.
     
    xScorp1on, Aug 20, 2007
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  5. ATR90

    ATR90 Notebook Evangelist

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    If you do a clean installation of Windows Vista, it will work just fine.
     
    ATR90, Aug 20, 2007
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  6. wk1989

    wk1989 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anyone tried it before?
     
    wk1989, Aug 21, 2007
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  7. TuxDude

    TuxDude Notebook Deity

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    Hmm I think it would work though.... Do try and let us know here.....
     
    TuxDude, Aug 22, 2007
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  8. billcsho

    billcsho Notebook Deity

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    It may or may not work. The Vista OEM from Dell will check the SLIC code in the BIOS. Although it is a Dell, but system shipped with XP, Vista, or no OS have different SLIC code.
     
    billcsho, Aug 22, 2007
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  9. chrisL2

    chrisL2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    same internals for vostro and inspiron. after all it's an Operating system. you would only have to download the specific drivers for your system. video card and upgraded audio may differ from what your 2 systems have.
    dell os media will not ask for a product key if it's from a clean install and installed on a dell system.

    but take note of the word illegal
     
    chrisL2, Aug 22, 2007
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  10. Gigamaster89

    Gigamaster89 Notebook Consultant

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    It should work, try it and let us know.

    Yes it's illegal, but when has that stopped anyone?
     
    Gigamaster89, Aug 22, 2007
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  11. wk1989

    wk1989 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Running the same copy of Windows on two machines is illegal, but what if I just trade with my friend?
     
    wk1989, Aug 22, 2007
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  12. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    technically when you buy a pc you get an oem key. it is legally tied to that specific make model and motherboard. it isnt allowed to be moved to another computer. however, microsoft is usually ok with this. im sure if you both never reinstalled your origional os back again, you will be fine. or you will know your not when your windows copy gets void by microsoft and you cant use your pc anymore :D
     
    nizzy1115, Aug 22, 2007
    #12