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    Installing XP with a OEM Key

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by ronnieb, Mar 14, 2010.

  1. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    My GF's dad has a p4 system from dell, those small box ones, and he'd like me to wipe it and reinstall windows xp using the existing key. How do I go about doing this if he has no CD's?
     
    ronnieb, Mar 14, 2010
    #1
  2. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    Quite simply, you don't without an xp oem cd. Your gf's dad probably got restore disks with his computer...use those.

    A retail cd will not work, an upgrade cd will not work. You need a generic oem cd to do it.
     
    gerryf19, Mar 14, 2010
    #2
  3. guitarplayer

    guitarplayer Notebook Guru

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    I have an old p4 dell (around 2003) and it has a restore partition on it. Now how it works if it works I have no idea.
     
    guitarplayer, Mar 14, 2010
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  4. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    Let's hope his has that, and I can just burn system recovery discs and work from there.
     
    ronnieb, Mar 14, 2010
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  5. gerryf19

    gerryf19 I am the walrus

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    Often times, the restore partition does not allow the creation of discs in Windows XP, but rather allows the end user to reinstall windows from the partition using a key combination as the computer is booting.
     
    gerryf19, Mar 14, 2010
    #5
  6. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Usually it's by hitting one of the function keys as the system boots, just like getting into the BIOS setup. If you check on Dell's website, you should be able to find the user manual for your system, which should tell you what key you have to hit in order to fire up the recovery partition.
     
    Shyster1, Mar 14, 2010
    #6
  7. jason1214

    jason1214 Notebook Evangelist

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    Your best bet would be to find a Dell XP disc by either borrowing one or getting it off of eBay. You might also be able to purchase one from Dell.
     
    jason1214, Mar 14, 2010
    #7