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Reinstalling Windows XP
I had to reinstall my version of windows xp off a recovery disk after i had to reformat my hard drive
i managed to save all of my documents etc. and when i run windows it is mostly fine. However, when i try to activate windows xp with the product key on the bottom of my laptop (dell obviously), it says the product key is incorrect - I have tried many times and have checked for typing errors many, many times and am still faced with this message.
What can I do to activate windows succesfully?
Thank You.
JustAnotherTech1
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Posted February 14th, 2007 23:00
you need the dell supplied windows OS cd bec it is an OEM copy and will not ask you for a product key if you install it on your dell. you can resolve this issue by using the product key that should be on the cd that you used to install windows xp.sfdsklfkdjk
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Posted February 15th, 2007 07:00
I need to reinstall the operating system due to a virus issue and would like to delete the partitions on the drive. I do not have the dell drivers/utility disc but I would like to run the Dell™ Clean 1k Utility. Does anyone know where I can download the utility? Or is anyone aware of any low level format utility that will wipe my system clean, apparently the virus is on the boot sector and fdisk will not remove it.sfdsklfkdjk
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Posted February 15th, 2007 07:00
If you do not have your dell operating cd Dell will be pleased to send you one. Just call them. Basically when you install the operating system with the Dell cd, the installation process will check the BIOS (system setup) to see if there is a service tag present. If it find one you will not be prompted for a product key, if it does not find a service tag in the bios it will still prompt you for the product key and if the product key on your system is the same version as the operating system you are trying to install it will work.tommyo1954
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Posted February 15th, 2007 11:00
Message Edited by tommyo1954 on 02-15-2007 07:44 AMtommyo1954
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Posted February 15th, 2007 11:00
If at all possible, you can also borrow a Dell reinstall disk from a friend; providing the version of Windows XP is the exact same as what your computer originally came with. In other words... if it came with Windows XP Home, then you can't do a reinstall with Windows Media Edition or Windows Pro. You must use Windows XP Home. The reason being that product codes are attached to the motherboard. maybe that is why you couldn't activate........So see if you can find one from a friend.. but if you can't, you can always ask Dell if they can send you one. I prefer using e-mail; others prefer the telephone.... and some use the chat.The contact numbers are available by clicking the blue "technical support" in the upper-left side.Hope you get it all up & runnin'.....Edit >>>>> I am having a heck of a time posting messages and replies... half of my replies are not showing up; been doing this for two days now..... So if I don't reply again, it means I can't post...... Not even sure if this typing here will display correctly...JustAnotherTech1
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Posted February 15th, 2007 12:00
only drive manufacturers have access to low-level format utilities, so it is unlikely that end-users can low-level format their drives. Or you're might be referring to zero-filling your drive to wipe everything off. DBAN is one that I can recommend. Or you can go to maxtor, seagate or western digital for their zero-fill utilities.but if your problem is just boot sector virus, you can just run an ASM script on debug mode which you can access when you boot your computer to any real DOS prompt.you can click here for full instruction.Romeo
JustAnotherTechGuy- Well i can see both your edit and the normal post so it seems to be workingThank you for your advice - i will ask around and if not contact them using the methods you suggested.I will update whether this is succesful when i have got around to doing it.Thanks again.
tommyo1954
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Posted February 14th, 2007 13:00