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    Reformatting Laptops

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by mowzie, Jul 21, 2006.

  1. mowzie

    mowzie Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi! This is my first post on this extremely helpful site. I am about to get my first laptop, but I am trying to save money when it comes to choosing between the two versions of XP. My question is, when you reformat your laptop, are you able to use any XP professional disc? Or does the laptop vendor integrate special hardware drivers onto its OS disc, preventing this? Thanks for all the help in advance!
     
    mowzie, Jul 21, 2006
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  2. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    You should be able to use any disc to reformat, as long as you have your own specific license key that came with your copy. Meaning, if you have home, you can't use a Pro disc to reformat.

    There are no integrated drivers aside from built in plug and play capable drivers. Anything else can be downloaded.
     
    ttupa, Jul 21, 2006
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  3. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    What laptop are you going to get?
     
    Amber, Jul 22, 2006
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  4. syxbit

    syxbit Notebook Evangelist

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    you can install any windws disc you like (as long as it's not an HP disc on a non HP system etc..)
    you just get the drivers from the website of your laptop brand
    eg... dell.com
    asus.com
    hp.com etc...
    you should have also received a drivers cd with your purchase that you could also use
     
    syxbit, Jul 22, 2006
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  5. mowzie

    mowzie Notebook Enthusiast

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    errmm i'm planning on buying the dell d820. To ttupa's response, so if i buy a dell d820 with home edition, i cannot reformat it with a xp pro disc that came with my dimension desktop (it's a legit copy, i have the key)
     
    mowzie, Jul 22, 2006
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  6. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    I guess as long as you don't have Pro on your desktop at the same time. You can only use a license key on one computer. You break the EULA if you use it on more than one. If you take the new Home version off, put it on your desktop, then put Pro on your laptop I think you'd be good to go.
     
    ttupa, Jul 22, 2006
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  7. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    With the latitudes, you'll receive everything that you need. You'll get a retail disc of the XP version that you order - it is your choice whether you use it or a disc that you already own.

    You'll also get a driver's disc - which is normally outdated, but you can download the updates from support.dell.com

    You might want to look at the Format Guide (link in signature) for Dell laptops. It is really long, but I made it for the users that have never formatted before, so probably a lot of it you can skip. Yet, it does have some helpful hints about the discs that you will need from Dell as well as Media Direct issues, etc.
     
    Amber, Jul 22, 2006
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  8. mowzie

    mowzie Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks all for the helpful advice, especially SouthernGirl's reformat guide =D
     
    mowzie, Jul 22, 2006
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  9. midkhan

    midkhan Notebook Consultant

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    I just bought a dv6000z but I didnt get a drivers disk.
     
    midkhan, Jul 23, 2006
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  10. ScifiMike12

    ScifiMike12 Drinking the good stuff

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    ScifiMike12, Jul 23, 2006
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  11. midkhan

    midkhan Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks very helpful. You know I called hp and they said they I can not buy the os cds now. I can only get it once I order the notebook. They said I have to wait till october. I burnt one myself but still how can they not have them or ship me one from China. They offered me a credit, what a shame.
     
    midkhan, Jul 28, 2006
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