From: Don on
I have a Dell Latitude D510 with Windows XP Pro SP2 installed. It's used and
the machine didn't come with a restore disk, and there is no restore
partition. But the COA sticker is attached to the bottom of the machine. I
have an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2. If I have to reinstall the
operating system, can I use the OEM version and use the laptop's COA to
activate Windows? I realize that I may have to hunt down drivers such as
WiFi and sound if they aren't included with my OEM copy.

Thanks

From: Bruce Chambers on
Don wrote:
> I have a Dell Latitude D510 with Windows XP Pro SP2 installed. It's used
> and the machine didn't come with a restore disk, and there is no restore
> partition. But the COA sticker is attached to the bottom of the
> machine. I have an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2. If I have to
> reinstall the operating system, can I use the OEM version and use the
> laptop's COA to activate Windows? I realize that I may have to hunt
> down drivers such as WiFi and sound if they aren't included with my OEM
> copy.
>
> Thanks


Yes, you can do it that way. As long as the Product Key is for an OEM
license of WinXP Pro, and you use a generic, unbranded OEM CD for WinXP
Pro, regardless of service pack level, it will work. You wouldn't be
able to use a Recovery CD from another manufacturer, though.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
From: Bob I on
Should work, as long as the drivers are collected for installation. Get
them from Dell's site with the service tag number on the bottom of the
machine

Don wrote:

> I have a Dell Latitude D510 with Windows XP Pro SP2 installed. It's used
> and the machine didn't come with a restore disk, and there is no restore
> partition. But the COA sticker is attached to the bottom of the
> machine. I have an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2. If I have to
> reinstall the operating system, can I use the OEM version and use the
> laptop's COA to activate Windows? I realize that I may have to hunt
> down drivers such as WiFi and sound if they aren't included with my OEM
> copy.
>
> Thanks

From: Jose on
On Mar 17, 11:47 am, "Don" <misterd2...(a)yahoo.ca> wrote:
> I have a Dell Latitude D510 with Windows XP Pro SP2 installed. It's used and
> the machine didn't come with a restore disk, and there is no restore
> partition. But the COA sticker is attached to the bottom of the machine.  I
> have an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2.  If I have to reinstall the
> operating system, can I use the OEM version and use the laptop's COA to
> activate Windows?  I realize that I may have to hunt down drivers such as
> WiFi and sound if they aren't included with my OEM copy.
>
> Thanks

Assume it doesn't work. What would you do?

Before reinstalling, I would use this tool also to view licensing info
and print the results:

http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Dell is happy to provide you a mechanism for ordering a set of CDs. I
have heard rumors the first set is no charge:

https://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form%20
From: Twayne on
In news:u0oYzuexKHA.5036(a)TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl,
Bob I <birelan(a)yahoo.com> typed:
> Should work, as long as the drivers are collected for
> installation. Get them from Dell's site with the service
> tag number on the bottom of the machine
>
> Don wrote:
>
>> I have a Dell Latitude D510 with Windows XP Pro SP2
>> installed. It's used and the machine didn't come with a
>> restore disk, and there is no restore partition. But the
>> COA sticker is attached to the bottom of the machine. I
>> have an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro with SP2. If I have to
>> reinstall the operating system, can I use the OEM version
>> and use the laptop's COA to activate Windows? I realize
>> that I may have to hunt down drivers such as WiFi and
>> sound if they aren't included with my OEM copy. Thanks

Right. Just make sure the installed OEM is the same version as the other OEM
disk. e.g. both are Home, both are Pro, not one Home and one Pro.

HTH,

Twayne`
--
Life is the only real counselor; wisdom unfiltered
through personal experience does not become a
part of the moral tissue.