Anyone in the area have a Dell computer with XP AND still has the "official" Dell install disk for Win XP? I have a Dell in which Windows has been trashed. I have a fully legal DELL OEM XP Pro license and my own product key. I can show the proof of licensing. Problem is I lost the CD and it turns out that a Dell OEM Windows License key will ONLY work with a DEL OEM Windows Install disk. I ordered one from Dell two months ago and they keep trying to cancel the order every 3 days because they can't find a copy of this "obsolete" product in their inventory. I don't want to become a criminal and the pirated copies of Windows that are available everywhere are usually loaded with malware. Microsoft itself has no email contacts available on this issue and I've already run up $20 in long distance fees waiting in queue's trying to find a real human being at MS Support who can help. That's a real waste because I've delt with MS on issues like this years ago and the only thing their human robots can say is "you have to deal with Dell". I've got the machine working with Ubuntu Linux for the time being but we use Quicken and TurboCAD which will not work. I'd really appreciate any help with this. JohnInValencia
If you can find a real disk to install from with a key you can install it. Do not activate it though. Once it is installed you can use the activation wizard to get to a window that will allow you to change the product key. You can then enter your OEM product key. However when you try to activate it, it will not activate because it is an oem key that is supposed to be pre-installed and does not need to be activated. You can get out of this catch 22 by calling MS on the phone with the number they provide and explain the situation to them. They will then walk you through the manual activation process. I have done this before and it will work however you are correct in wanting the dell install cd's. I have a set but I am not yet in there. No need to worry about piracy because they will not install unless it is a Dell computer. Also you will not need to activate.
Win xp is not supported anymore by windows as far as i know. Ubuntu might be a good replacement but you got to have linux base software to run them. So far i have no experience with dell laptops but most of the laptops nowadays does not include the windows cd because windows think that everybody is capable of doing illegal thing like copying their os.
Thanks... Tom2bad68. I guess I'll take that approach. Problem is that here in Valencia we only have cell phone service, no land line, and calling US 800 numbers can be a massive pain.... not to mention expensive if one winds up in a service queue while they pass the buck on a non-standard problem. But I'll try.......... Thanx again.
John, I think I have an original, and I can make you a copy of it if you like. It is XP Pro for Dell. I live in Tambobo, on my next trip to town I can bring it for you, we can just meet somewhere. M
have you tried wine to install Quicken and TurboCAD in ubuntu? ubuntu is really a good os i must say.
Dell will still ship out disks if you pay them a shipping fee. Xp is still supported but is under extended support if I remember correctly.
The philippines has its own number for dialling and reactivating product keys. try this number 1800 1441 0158 if outside Manila.
