will restore cd's work as dual boot?

[pacinitaly]

When I can afford it, I'm getting another gateway with win7.

I have a gateway laptop m-6881 w/ vista 32bit HP sp2. (8/2008)
I also have a gateway tower S500 XP Pro 32bit SP3 ( 3/2003)


The laptop has 3 restore DVD's with the OS on it (sp1) - also other programs and drivers.
The tower has 4 restore CD's with the OS on it - including 2driver cd's, 2programs cd's.

Can I use the restore CD from the XP or/and vista machine on my win7 machine as a dual boot as long as I wipe the HDD of the XP machine and toss it? ( since all are gateways )


I no longer want to use my XP,win2000 or win98 rigs anymore.
I'm going to wipe the HDD and give them away.


This may not make sense but I can't get my fingers to type what I'm trying to say



{Dell laptop win98 and a Dell win2000 tower - I don't even boot them up anymore}


~Carmine

 

[andythecurefan]

I think you are trying to ask if you can use the XP that came on a previous desktop as a secondary OS on your new PC as long as you format the hard drive of the original PC.

I think the answer is No, because that copy of XP is limited to that hardware, and I remember reading somewhere that when you change the hardware drastically then sometimes your OEM copy of XP will not activate as it will think it is a new machine.

 

[pacinitaly]

I think you are trying to ask if you can use the XP that came on a previous desktop as a secondary OS on your new PC as long as you format the hard drive of the original PC.

I think the answer is No, because that copy of XP is limited to that hardware, and I remember reading somewhere that when you change the hardware drastically then sometimes your OEM copy of XP will not activate as it will think it is a new machine.

It is a new machine. I thought because I already paid for the OS and the computer, I was able to reuse it as long as I don't have it on more than one machine. oh well, can't wait till I can buy a machine with windows 7. Probably when windows 9 comes out

 

[Orbital Shark]

If you've bought a computer with Windows pre-installed then there is nothing stopping you from installing it on another machine so long as you are not using the old 1. XP will give notification that your hardware has changed and offer you the option to call for a new code, not costing anything. I've done this many times when changing hardware. Even a new CD/DVD writer can cause XP to ask for re-actiation

 

[Webadict]

This is a fine line here.

You did purchase a license to use xp on one pc, but at the same time, that license is for the pc it came preinstalled on.

However, if you wipe the HDD and decide to reinstall on another, you can still use your OEM key.

When XP tells you it can't be activated, simply call the number it gives you for your location, and you will be asked if the os is installed on only one pc. Tell them yes and they will give you the activation key.

Hope this helps.

Scott

 

[Brink]

Hello Carmine,

Sorry, but a OEM XP like that will usually only work on the same computer that it came preinstalled on.

 

[pacinitaly]

Hello Carmine,

Sorry, but a OEM XP like that will usually only work on the same computer that it came preinstalled on.

I was waiting....


Thanks Shawn

 

[harpua]

Yeah, it will only work on the PC it came preinstalled on, unless and until you call MS for a new activation code and explain that it is only installed on one machine and that there just was a significant/substantial change of hardware. At least that's my understanding, which could, of course, be wrong.

 

[Webadict]

I wasn't exactly refering to the original media, as much as the OEM key itself. Getting a hold of an OEM copy of XP isn't that dfficult. And in some cases, the OEM restore cd will work with any pc. I have an old Dell desktop that came with Xp Home, and when that motherboard died, I pulled out what good components were left, shelved them, and used the Dell recovery cd to install on a home built system, using the OEM key. I simply called Microsoft Product Activation, they asked me if the software was store bought or OEM, and if it was on more then one computer. I told them it was OEM, and it was only on this one pc, they activated it.

Though I understand that all recovery software won't work like this.

Scott

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Didn't read everything that was said but just to add, restore DVD/CD's for one model computer will not work on another model even if it is the same brand.

Example;

I cannot use my Vista Home Premium Recovery discs from my HP Dv5-1235dx, on my Compaq SR5W223, it just simply won't work.

 

[grouchpunk08]

no experience with backup DVD/cd's. but you can use an install disk on other computers. My gateway pc came with an install disk for Home premium, and my roommate used it to reinstall on his hp computer. He did use his own license for activation tho.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

no experience with backup DVD/cd's. but you can use an install disk on other computers. My gateway pc came with an install disk for Home premium, and my roommate used it to reinstall on his hp computer. He did use his own license for activation tho.

Thats odd, perhaps its just HP Recovery Discs that doesn't allow cross model installs.

 

[grouchpunk08]

Thats odd, perhaps its just HP Recovery Discs that doesn't allow cross model installs.

Idk if it would be considered a recovery disk, its a full install Home premium disk that had 64 and 32 bit on it. I didn't have to make it, it came with my laptop when I bought it.

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

Idk if it would be considered a recovery disk, its a full install Home premium disk that had 64 and 32 bit on it. I didn't have to make it, it came with my laptop when I bought it.

Ahh, see I couldn't use my Compaq Recovery Discs on my HP Laptop, nor the other way around. (Since Compaq is owned by HP I consider them all one).

Is it considered illegal to download a copy of Windows XP/Vista to make a new copy (I lose them frequently), I have the product keys lol

 

[grouchpunk08]

Ahh, see I couldn't use my Compaq Recovery Discs on my HP Laptop, nor the other way around. (Since Compaq is owned by HP I consider them all one).

Is it considered illegal to download a copy of Windows XP/Vista to make a new copy (I lose them frequently), I have the product keys lol

I'm not certain on the legality of it, but the way I always looked at it, you can install an operating system without the key and use it for thirty days. So the way I look at it is if you have the key that you bought, I don't think it matters where the original media comes from. Not sure if its legal to download it, but then again as long as you activate with your key I don't think they would come track you down. The way it seems to me is you buy the license key. Cuz a disk by itself is worthless

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

I'm not certain on the legality of it, but the way I always looked at it, you can install an operating system without the key and use it for thirty days. So the way I look at it is if you have the key that you bought, I don't think it matters where the original media comes from. Not sure if its legal to download it, but then again as long as you activate with your key I don't think they would come track you down. The way it seems to me is you buy the license key. Cuz a disk by itself is worthless

Okay, back to the original question of the thread I suppose