[macclink]

Hi and thanks in advance for your help!
I have a new MacBook and an iMac on the way for business use, and used to have a Dell 4500 as well (for a couple non-Mac applications). However in my old pile of "PC stuff" I found a CD, still in shrink wrap, that's labeled Microsoft Windows XP Home Ediiton.....and it says "for distribution with a new Dell PC only."
So, what does that mean? Can I install this on my new Macs once I get BootCamp and/or Parallels on there? Is this some proprietary Dell version? Or do I need to buy a new version of XP for those?


Thanks!!

[Mediaman_12]

How old is it, it may not be a 'Service Pack 2' install.
It may attempt load a load of Dell drivers, but surely the disk will have the standard XP drivers on too?

[macclink]

...it says version 2002...

[BkueKanoodle]

Even if is a full blown install of XP and not a Dell proprietary install disk , you cannot use that on any machine other then the one it came on. Damn license agreements.

I'm not saying it won't work, but you would be in violation of the license agreement. In addition, you will run into some hurdles if it requires you to activate that copy of Windows.

Having said that, i doubt it is XP sp2 either, so at the very least, you would have to use it create a new xp install cd with SP2 sliptstreamed into it.

[kylemacr]

I am 99.9% sure that it will ask you to activate it, and when it does, it won't let you because you are not on the Dell.

[ghporter]

Kyle is wrong. The Dell-only CD will check for a "Dell" signature somewhere in BIOS and STOP the install process before it gets started. It's sneaky, but it does reduce piracy loss for Dell and Microsoft.

[sieb]

I haven't run into a Dell bios check since Windows 98. Granted your not supposed to install it on anything but the Dell machine, there is nothing to stop you. I am assuming the "shrink wrapped" means its the standard Microsoft hologram disk. If its a custom made "restore cd" from Dell, it might have a check, but I've never seen one. OEM Volume copies don't call home either.

[DarwinX]

It is for Dell hardware and Dell hardware only. I'm not sure if it does a BIOS check or not, but you will be asked to activate it.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by sieb

I haven't run into a Dell bios check since Windows 98. Granted your not supposed to install it on anything but the Dell machine, there is nothing to stop you. I am assuming the "shrink wrapped" means its the standard Microsoft hologram disk. If its a custom made "restore cd" from Dell, it might have a check, but I've never seen one. OEM Volume copies don't call home either.

The "Dell only" Windows discs I've seen are NOT standard hologram OEM discs. They're Dell discs in blue/green/purple/whatever and white.

As for the BIOS check, this is something I haven't delved too deeply into-I have three Dell computers at home and I'm not interested in messing with the others to see how the disc detects whether or not the machine is a Dell. I'm told by Dell certified techs that it DOES do a check on the hardware and the Windows installation will not procede if it doesn't find Dell hardware.

[DarwinX]

Originally Posted by ghporter

The "Dell only" Windows discs I've seen are NOT standard hologram OEM discs. They're Dell discs in blue/green/purple/whatever and white.

As for the BIOS check, this is something I haven't delved too deeply into-I have three Dell computers at home and I'm not interested in messing with the others to see how the disc detects whether or not the machine is a Dell. I'm told by Dell certified techs that it DOES do a check on the hardware and the Windows installation will not procede if it doesn't find Dell hardware.

Wow. In my experience I've had the Dell CD work on a different PC and fully install but always requires activation. When installed on proper Dell hardware, the software simply installs and no activation is required.

This is very interesting ghporter, thanks for the heads up. Will stay tuned.