GrrGrrr asks:
Hello,
I have two Dell laptops – a Dell 620 and a 630 with Windows XP and Vista installed. Unfortunately the CDs supplied by Dell are missing.
I tried installing XP Pro on 620 model and supplying the serial which is on the sticker on the bottom of the machine, but it didn’t accept. The same happened for Vista. I have of course tried installing same OS edition as mentioned on the sticker, but nothing works so far.
Is there a possible workaround to get those serial numbers on the sticker working?
Thanks
Browser: Chrome 12
System: Windows
Tagged: dell, install operating system, product key, reinstall, windows tips, windows vista, windows xp
System: Windows
Tagged: dell, install operating system, product key, reinstall, windows tips, windows vista, windows xp
7 Answers -
Bruce Epper
August 15, 2012Those product keys on the stickers are for the OEM version of those operating systems. They will not work with a retail version of the OS. You may be able to get Dell to ship recovery discs for the machines for a nominal fee. Or you could buy retail copies and use those instead.
ferdinan Sitohang
August 15, 2012Is it already the same edition? such as XP Pro SP1? if not my be it is the problem
I know on the edition as XP PRO, but not on service pack.
i’m sure it was no sp3.
@Bruce – thanks
August 15, 2012if it is the problem, i think you need to have an OEM version XP Pro, since it has some difference with the XP Pro OLP or FPP version.
August 16, 2012Hannes Schön
August 15, 2012If you’re lucky, both laptops have a recovery partition installed, which will set them back to factory defaults (deleting all data stored on them…)
Maybe Dell will resend them to you if you ask kindly? 
)
This way Dell doesnt need to ship countless CD’s and DVD’s to the customer – although if you already HAD those CD’s and lost them, its not much hope for a recovery partition
yes, CDs were shipped for sure.
While doing a reinstall of XP i saw a partition of may b 4Gb, or 400mb size. not sure what it is, and how could i access recovery partition..
August 15, 2012ha14
August 16, 2012How To Restore or Reinstall Microsoft Windows on a Dell Computer
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=52182
once you start DEll perhaps + will give you access to pc restore function.
If you do not press + at the right time, let the computer finish restarting, and then restart it again.
it is ctrl+F11
August 16, 2012didn’t work
August 16, 2012Inside the Dell PC Restore Partition
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/
CTRL-F11 will not access the Dell PC Restore by Symantec partition any longer
August 16, 2012http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/p/19420706/19988591.aspx
scroll down to post by juniorbyron, perhaps DSRFIX zip can help?
Tha
August 16, 2012Thanks ha14
August 16, 2012John Schmitt
August 16, 2012I have contacted Dell in the past and for a small fee (around 20.00 with shipping) you can get the OS CD shipped to you.
FIDELIS
August 20, 2012Hello, I am afraid you only have to choices: one, get the discs shipped by Dell and install them or get a Retail version of the operating system and start brand new. Ever since recovery partitions were provided instead os discs, most big computer manufactures like Dell can only use the license attached to the system with the recovery partition or OEM disc provided.
GrrGrrr
August 21, 2012Thanks everyone for help. I am resolving this question.