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    switch operating system

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by ebco6226, May 27, 2008.

  1. ebco6226

    ebco6226 Newbie

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    Hi, i have a dell desktop with xp and laptop with vista. Is it possible to switch the os's ie.) desktop to vista, laptop to xp? I would have two valid product keys so it should work rite? Never understood how the product key policy thing worked. Thank you!
     
    ebco6226, May 27, 2008
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  2. proxima_centauri

    proxima_centauri Notebook Consultant

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    If their not OEM versions, i.e., the two version's were purchased separately from the systems, then I don't see why it wouldn't work. If you have a set of XP recovery desks from Dell I don't think it would work on the laptop because it's tailor specific to your desktop.
     
    proxima_centauri, May 27, 2008
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  3. VinylPusher

    VinylPusher Notebook Consultant

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    Contrarily, I believe this will work. I believe that the Vista and XP recovery disks merely have to detect a Dell BIOS (which both your systems have) to proceed with installation.
     
    VinylPusher, May 27, 2008
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  4. Dell-Chris B

    Dell-Chris B Notebook Enthusiast

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    ebco6226:

    The OEM versions of the MS software are only licensed for the computer they were sold on. As a result, installing the software on another computer would be illegal and agains the Microsoft EULA.

    Retail copies of the software are not bound by such restrictions.

    Hope this helps.
     
    Dell-Chris B, May 27, 2008
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  5. sesshomaru

    sesshomaru Suspended Disbelief!

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    Is it possible: Yes.
    Is it legal: Not sure.
     
    sesshomaru, May 27, 2008
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  6. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    I think its gray area legal. Dell wont like it so if you need help pertaining to the os then they wont help. But Microsoft "shouldn't" mind.

    So yes it will work.
     
    nizzy1115, May 27, 2008
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  7. Dell-Chris B

    Dell-Chris B Notebook Enthusiast

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    nizzy115 is correct.

    Should you contact Dell technical support for any issue, support will only be able to assist with hardware issues at the diagnostic level as the OS will have changed from what it originally shipped with.

    Just another thing to keep in mind.
     
    Dell-Chris B, May 28, 2008
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