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    Reinstall XP with somebody else's disk?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by bjcadstuff, Jul 24, 2009.

  1. bjcadstuff

    bjcadstuff Notebook Consultant

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    My daughter has a Dell E1505 and she is contemplating reinstalling the OS, but she isn't sure if she can find the original disks or not. Could we reinstall the OS using the XP disk from another computer, but then put in the code that is on the sticker on her machine to activate it? Would there be too many problems with missing drivers if we install from a generic XP disk or will the install program figure that out?

    Secondly, how could we tell if that machine has a recovery partition with the OS install files already loaded on it?
     
    bjcadstuff, Jul 24, 2009
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  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Read the e1505 manual - it will tell you if there is a recovery partition.

    The key on the bottom of the laptop is an OEM key. If you have another OEM version of XP, you can use it on the e1505 and enter the key on the bottom. Installation discs do not have Dell drivers on them - you have to visit the Dell support site, enter the Dell code on the bottom of the laptop into the driver search page, and then download all of the drivers you need. You will install them after you install the operating system. Visit the Dell board (on this website) and see if anyone has posted a "how to" guide.
     
    kegobeer, Jul 24, 2009
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