For a repair install you can use any CD/DVD, but it must be the same version of Windows as the installation you're trying to repair (and it must have the same service pack or no service pack, as the case may be). Doing this is perfectly legal.

There is no product key embedded into any genuine Windows XP installation disc, so I don't know how you got the idea that there was. It's embedded into the installation (in the Registry) but nowhere will you find it on the installation media.

If during repair you are asked for a Product Key, enter the key that's valid for the installation you're trying to repair.

 

You cannot use a retail installation disc with a OEM Product Key ( which is what you have on the bottom of the laptop )

A Repair installation is not likely to fix the errors you have as a result of the infection. You will have to do a clean installation. Be sure to back up your data if you do that.

If you have the Dell System restore ( not all Dells do ) you can use that and you will not need a install CD

Dell - Technical Support

If not, You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here

You can request a replacement instalation cd here:

 

If you have for ex. I/E 8 on your machine,you decide with the repair install,this must be removed prior to the repair install,because on the disc you will have version 6/7 if you do not do this before the repair install afterwards I/E wont work.

 

This just makes no sense to me. If the version of XP you use has a different version of IE then that will be changed to on the repair. Also service pack on the cd means nothing except if you use an older cd version and the service packs were added by Windows Update, then they will be reomoved by the repair and will have to be installed again.

 

Hi Novice,

There is indeed a product key number in the Unattended.Txt file. But is only a sample number and can not be used for any version. A legit number can be imbedded into an install in a newly made file if someone wanted the number to automatically be installed. I have notes on that file someplace but can't locate it at the moment. If you are interested I will track it down.

Good Luck, Jim

 

Ah, I see what you mean. It was a retail disc and the dell is defintely OEM. I was just surprised to see a product key within the txt file, but I assumed it was for admins who were creating unattended installs in a network environment.

Thank you all for the responses. I think a clean install will have to do..

Dell seems to be charging 25$ for the recovery media. Say for example that I used the retail generic disc and just downloaded the proper drivers & activated via the code on the bottom of the unit(either I change the product key after installation or use microsoft's KeyUpdater utility). It seems like a grey area to me, but would that constitute piracy under its current definitions?

 

As Old Rich stated you need an oem (original equipment mfgr disk), not a retail one but you can use any Dell reinstallation cd to reinstall Windows and even any version of Windows and they can be bought on eBay believe it or not.

 

How to perform a repair installation of Windows XP if a later version of Internet Explorer is installed

 

Dell seems to be charging 25$ for the recovery media. Say for example that I used the retail generic disc and just downloaded the proper drivers & activated via the code on the bottom of the unit(either I change the product key after installation or use microsoft's KeyUpdater utility). It seems like a grey area to me, but would that constitute piracy under its current definitions?

Won't work. An OEM key will never activate on a retail install. Spend the $25 on the Dell disks. With them, you won't need to enter the key at all and it will just work.

 

To get back on topic here, if you are infected with a virus/malware, doing a Repair Install will not get rid of the virus for you. If you want to delete System Restore points, just turn System Restore Off, and restart the computer. If you feel you're infected head over to Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help and post there for more help.

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