Can a DELL Re-installation Disk be used on a Non-Dell PC

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
       #1

    Can a DELL Re-installation Disk be used on a Non-Dell PC


    I had a custom PC built, and a Dell Re-installation Disk was used initially
    to Install Windows. The System worked about 30 days, and started getting BSOD's.

    After a Clean Re-Install of Windows Pro 64 bit on a New Hard Drive,
    Windows updates will not complete, and seems to be in a loop of Failure:
    Reverting Configuration Changes. Sometimes the system gets to the
    Desk top, but soon as an action is attempted [like installing IE-11] it throws
    BSOD's. There are NO Dell components in the system build. Could the Dell
    Re-installation Disk be causing the problem, even though the Disk was
    Validated as Genuine Windows? I questioned the builder as to why he used that
    particular Dell Re-installation Disk, and he denies purchasing & installing it.
    That's another issue, but I want to know if the Dell disk is giving me the headaches?
    Most components are ASUS.
    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #2

    Whether it works or not, its illegal to use a Dell OEM on non-Dell units.

    Dell OEM disks used to check for a Dell BIOS and if it wasn't there it wouldn't install. Later ones apparently do not check.

    But, I doubt that the Dell OEM OS is the direct cause of your problems.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #3

    Yeah, if it doesn't see the matching Dell BIOS SLIC table it should prompt for a key. If you have the Dell disk, and want to make it a stock disk. Remove the $OEM$ folder from the sources folder. And the ei.cfg file in the sources folder. That should turn it into a stock universal disk. Deleting the $OEM$ folder gets ride of the custom DELL install scripts and any Dell drivers etc. Deleting the ei.cfg file will give you a menu to pick which version to install, instead of being locked into one version. Pick the version that matches the key you plan on using. A simple way to do this is to create a bootable thumb drive, then just delete those items from the thumb drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Can a DELL Re-installation Disk be used on a Non-Dell PC


    fireberd: Thanks for the "Legal reminder." The disk will be replaced.
    I'm hearing there are "Dell Drivers" on the disk, wouldn't that
    contribute to BSOD's and Updates?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    alphanumeric: Thanks for that information!
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8,135
    Windows 10 64 bit
       #6

    The Dell drivers wouldn't install unless the hardware device(s) are compatible.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #7

    Technically it's not legal to use it on a non Dell PC. The way OEM-SLP activation works though, there has to be a Dell SLIC table in the BIOS for it to do the OEM-SLP activation. If the correct SLIC table is not found it will fail activation. As far as I know with Windows 7 custom OEM install media, there is no not looking for it. My guess, is they used the key on the COA sticker to activate your PC.

    I'm no expert on it, but some drivers and OEM apps may be installed with scripts, even if the hardware isn't there. The assumption is, its only ever going to used on the PC it was created for. I think It could be possible some of that is causing your issues.

    Another side effect of using branded OEM media like that is you'll end up with Dell logo's etc hidden in Windows. Like on the system screen. I add an $OEM$ folder to my install media to add the Logo's and Manufacturer system info.

    Like this.
    Can a DELL Re-installation Disk be used on a Non-Dell PC-system-capture.png
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 503
    Windows 7 x64 SP1
       #8

    I used my wife's Dell disc on my Gateway computer, because my own disc for that computer was defective, and made this loud whirring noise. sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. So I popped her disc in, and it worked. At first I got a message that it was illegal, but when I put in my code for that computer, it authorized fine and I have no problems. As a bonus, the Dell disc had SP1, which saved me a lot of updating.

    I should point out that I tried to take my defective disc back to Walmart, but of course they told me to contact Gateway. Which doesn't exist anymore. So I really had no choice. If Dell wants to come after my ass, so be it.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4,466
    Windows 10 Education 64 bit
       #9

    Once the OEM-SLP activations fails, it reverts to the standard enter a key to activate. Your PC is legally activated. Some would debate that, but me personally, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. It might have some excess Dell baggage in the mix though. Strip the $OEM$ folder out and its stock install media. The other gotcha with doing that is if the versions don't match, your key won't work. That's why I recommend striping out the ei.cfg file too.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7
    Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I'm inclined to believe your scenario concerning the origin Dell PC.
    One of the things that puzzles me is, Windows was "Activated" and
    gave me a "Genuine" Windows stamp. When the ASUS motherboard
    Drivers were installed, I later got error Device Driver Software was not
    successfully Installed. Driver for Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller
    is not installed. Could that be at least one of the culprits to BSOD?
      My Computer


 
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