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    Reformatting now: Windows XP Pro Disc sent to me? Instead of MCE.

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006.

  1. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    I'm reformatting my e1405 now. it's asked me the setup questions like my location, time, etc. and is going through the setup. however, i notice the messages on the screen keep referring to windows xp pro.

    now the thing is my laptop originally came with xp mce. this is odd.

    these messages are ones like 'windows xp pro offers blabla security features', 'thank you for purchasing windows xp pro' etc.

    does this mean i'm actually installing windows xp pro now? that's actually fine by me BUT is that going to cause problems when i put in the serial number on the bottom of the laptop since my laptop originally came with MCE and i'd assume that the serial number is good for MCE....

    i guess i'll find out soon enough.
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
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  2. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    btw, i paid $8 to have the windows disc sent to me when i bought the laptop...

    9 minutes to go...
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
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  3. compsavy

    compsavy Notebook Deity

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    What does it say on your disc that they sent you?
     
    compsavy, Jun 10, 2006
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  4. compsavy

    compsavy Notebook Deity

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    if your using the disc provided by dell you will not need to activate your copy of windows because the s/n is built into the motherboard.
     
    compsavy, Jun 10, 2006
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  5. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    the disc itself says MCE 2005 with update rollup 2.
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
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  6. kguo7

    kguo7 Notebook Consultant

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    It may not work. I think XP Pro has a different set of serial numbers. If it doesn't work. What you can do is call Microsoft, stating your problem and they will give you a serial number, I think.
     
    kguo7, Jun 10, 2006
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  7. compsavy

    compsavy Notebook Deity

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    i know for a fact that if you are reformatting your computer by booting on a disc from dell you would not need to put in a serial number and activate it as dell put serial numbers for all the operating systems built into the motherboard.
     
    compsavy, Jun 10, 2006
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  8. Unreal

    Unreal Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Same thing happened to me last week when l was reformatting my E1405. Don't worry about it because if you didn't know MCE is basically xp pro with media features but its missing ONE feature from pro (forget what it is, but you dont need it). So microsoft probably just left the screens saying xp pro instead of mce.
     
    Unreal, Jun 10, 2006
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  9. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    another "up to 30 mins" while it's "installing applications". i hope i don't have issues with the s/n.

    free xp pro would be nice...
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
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  10. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    ok, now that i know someone else had the same experience, it seems like my joy was short lived.

    on the other hand, i heard MCE was more or less the Home edition with some media stuff added on... meaning it's really closer to the home edition and not the pro.
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
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  11. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    ok, unreal, you are right. i googled the topic and xp mce is pretty much the same as the pro. thanks for the info.
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
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  12. Unreal

    Unreal Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    No problem, thats what i'm here for :D
     
    Unreal, Jun 10, 2006
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  13. matt330ci

    matt330ci Notebook Guru

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    just to follow up and for everyone's info, xp mce was installed on my pc. my pc boots up so much faster now. this was my first time reformatting, was a little nervous but i highly recommend doing it. southerngirl's sticky at the top made it easy.
     
    matt330ci, Jun 10, 2006
    #13