[10FootPianist]

My friend has a Dell Latitiude D620 with Windows XP Pro given to her from a friend. She doesn't have the Dell OEM CD that came with it, but the computer does have a sticker with a valid product key. I downloaded and burned a Dell Windows XP Pro SP3 OEM CD. I'm not sure if her computer came with SP1, 2, or 3. Does it matter if my CD is SP3 and her product key is SP2 or 1? Will the product key work? And if so, will it activate?

 

[Old Rich]

Re: Windows Product Key

The service pack level does not matter . . but where did you download the installation from . . it may be infected

She can request a replacement instalation cd here:

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

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=181316

 

[10FootPianist]

Re: Windows Product Key

I downloaded it, but it was from a reputable source with positive reception, so I'm confident its clean. I want to get it fixed ASAP so I really rather not wait for a backup disk. I already formatted her computer, it was beyond anything System Restore could do. Thanks for your help.

 

[Prophet]

Re: Windows Product Key

easiest way to find out if serial will work with cd is to run cd from windows as upgrade and you'll get enter serial prompt and you'll see if it accepts it if you downloaded the cd image from dell for her specific model you should be good to go. And i don't think activation will be a problem with a sp3 version if the serial works. Worst case scenario you'll have to call dell who is legally responsible for tech support under their oem licensing. If thay won't help yo with activation or want to charge just call microsoft direct they are pretty good about multiple activations on same pc for a clean install.

 

[TheOutcaste]

Re: Windows Product Key

The Dell PC Restore is not the same as a Windows System Restore. It restores a factory image to the drive, replacing everything with an image of the way the system shipped.

The drive will have a small (4.5-5 GB) partition with the image, and is accessed by pressing (usually) CTRL+F11 at boot. Some systems display a blue bar with www.dell.com at the time you press the key combination, others don't. You only have a 2 second window to press the keys.

Check the User Guide for the system to see how to access the PC Restore if this system has it (and it hasn't been removed, or the proprietary MBR replaced).

The User Guide should be available on the Dell Support site, easiest to use the Service Tag to get to the page specific to that system.

 

[10FootPianist]

Re: Windows Product Key

The CD worked. I'll keep the Dell Restore in mind for next time. Appreciate the advice, thanks.