XP for Dell only

I have XP Home Edition on the pc I'm using now and would like to install "XP Pro" that I have from my Dell. (I want to put 98SE on the Dell.) How can I install the Dell's XP on another computer if it's not a Dell computer?

 

From my understanding, most OEM's are BIOS locking Windows XP to the system they were shipped on. In other words, you won't be able to install XP that came with your Dell system on another system. I believe this was forced on most of the OEM's by Microsoft, but due to changes in the licensing, it is no longer a requirement.

 

Most likely not!

As part of the OEM licensing agreements, Most major Comp Mfgs use a O/S installer CD which as part of the install process checks the BIOS mfg ID tag.

This started late in the W98SE and shortly before they started shipping WME.

However - a DELL OEM Xp will install on older Dell's... so if you have others... just remember that the license agreement only allows you to have 1 copy installed on one machine... so that other machine will require W98 or other O/S.

On a side note: Part of that same OEM licensing agreement requires all systems shipped from "Microsoft Solution Providers" must be shipped with an O/S. - DELL, meeting the requirements, but not the intent, found a way to ship bare systems. They included a copy of FreeDOS in the box, its up to the owner to decide if they want to install it...

 

Well,,,,

Is it possible to parse files from my Dell XP pro setup disk to use on my XP home edition???

 

Doing so will violate the license agreement. You purchased 2 different versions of XP. Even though the files maybe the same, they are intented for 2 different systems.

 

OK Thanks everybody

The Dell XP will stay on the Dell machine...

 

It is comforting that market forces are beginning to erode M/S's quasi monopoly. With Dell providing their business customers an option to install an OS of their choice with a purchase of their equipment opens the door for a competing OS.