Dell, Inc announced on Friday that it will offer Windows XP operating system to their personal computer customers after the June deadline. Microsoft has scheduled to pull the Windows XP operating system from store shelves on June 30 in an effort to upgrade customers to Windows Vista.
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Member since:2005-12-02
"Dell installs the OEM version of Windows XP without providing you with a valid XP product key. The OEM version doesn't require you to activate, so as long as you don't have to reinstall you're golden, you still get updates and stuff."
Actually you can reinstall XP all you want to, as the Dell version does not require a key to be upon install, nor does it require activation. If you reinstall you will still get updates as long as Microsoft publishes them.
Member since:2005-07-22
I've bought quite a few PCs from Dell since the deadline, and have requested Vista to be downgraded(?) to Windows XP using downgrade rights, granted by the Windows Vista license.
Dell pre-install XP for you, but only supply Vista media. So a simple reinstall from Dell media isn't an option (unless you have a copy of Dell's OEM Win XP Pro CD from a previous purchase).
Dell don't have a Deal with Microsoft to allow them to do this, any OEM could supply a system with Windows XP, infact you could do it yourself as long as you have a copy of Vista (to downgrade from), and a copy of the XP Pro Retail Media (you don't have to own the license either).
To exercise downgrade rights your self, perform the XP Pro install using the CD Key supplied with your retail copy of XP Pro, but when you need to activate the product, don't do it over the internet, instead opt to do it by telephone. When you ring the telephone number (provided by the activation wizard), don't press any numbers, just ignore the menu system and just wait for your call to be diverted to a human (after two cycles of the menu options). At this point explain to the person on the phone that you want to exercise downgrade rights. The person on the phone will ask for the installation number, and should give you a new product key that you can enter. You can't use your Vista license and use XP at the same time (e.g. on another computer, or dual boot), but you can upgrade(?) back to Vista at any time by simply reinstalling from the Vista media.
Edit: You can only downgrade from Vista to XP if you have Vista Business or Ultimate. The home versions don't cut it.
Edited 2008-09-01 09:19 UTC
Member since:2005-07-06
BUT try to reinstall XP and you're screwed. The little Windows license key label stuck to the top of your system has a VISTA product key, not an XP key. The provided Vista key cannot be used for reinstalling XP.
You do realise that these computers come with a Windows XP restoration DVD/CD that does not require the end user to input a key at installation time - do you? or is this yet another example of an individual allowing hate to get in the way of a rational discussion?
Member since:
2008-08-31
Dell installs the OEM version of Windows XP without providing you with a valid XP product key. The OEM version doesn't require you to activate, so as long as you don't have to reinstall you're golden, you still get updates and stuff.
BUT try to reinstall XP and you're screwed. The little Windows license key label stuck to the top of your system has a VISTA product key, not an XP key. The provided Vista key cannot be used for reinstalling XP.