kjs862 said:
Hey guys I figured I would post this here maybe I will get an answer, but I recently sold my Dell PC on ebay, but I lost my windows xp pro CD so now I can't do a clean install for the buyer.
What I was thinking being that I have the product key on the side on the case, is there a way I can download windows xp pro off the internet and just stick that on a CD and using my pre exsisting CD key.
Ken
correct way to solve is to call dell and get a replacement disc set. small charge to you from dell due to m$ agreement that dell has to live with.
do not download off the internet. they are all out there for a reason, and the reason is not good. dell, or a friend with a dell.
the key on the side is for use with the original system upon which the COA was attached. i.e., according to m$, you are able to use, install, re-install, and even upgrade the original hardware "EXCEPT" for the motherboard. if you change the motherboard, or the mobo kills itself, by law (eula) you would need to purchase a new copy of XP. no joke. all letter of the law from m$. i am listed with m$ as a 'oem system builder', and this is straight out of the latest coa/marketing/sales/partner stuff they send me. oh, and the coa can NOT be transfered to a new system even if you are no longer using the first system, or if you upgrade your OS. original system. period. coa's on ebay/internet are not legal. period.
the coa on the side of the dell is an 'oem', and depending on luck, might work with a retail pro cd. same odds as powerball more or less. it really depends on stamp date, and the service pack level. the key will work with any xp pro 'oem' cd. due to the recent coa lock-out by m$, you might still have trouble with the activation after getting it loaded. the key will NOT work with xp home (retail or oem).
a 'clean install' is nothing more than just using add/remove programs to remove any programs that are yours, backing up and then deleting your files, creating a new user/account, logging off your account, logging on to the new user/account and then removing your old account. presto. clean install. unless you have virus/spyware issues
(gasp, on a windows box?! never!).
if you have personal stuff that you don't want found, doing a clean install is no more likely to keep your info safe than the above. you would need to use a utility to wipe/shread the files. there are several free and open source programs available that you could use to wipe/shread the files before sending it off.
not my ideas/rules, just thought i would share info. getting less fun by the minute to work with m$, but it's still a living... X at home, xp problems and solutions for a large hourly rate to everyone else.
