🚀 go-pugleaf

On Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:22:43 +0000, Grinder wrote:

> bilsch wrote:
>> A guy recently told me he could load any OEM copy of XP Home on a Dell
>> or a Compaq and use the 25-digit code from a sticker on the computer
>> case as the product code and the copy of WinXP would be activated.  Is
>> this true?  If you have a Dell with the 25-digit sticker can you
>> activate your OEM WinXP Home on the Dell?
> 
> I routinely use a "generic" OEM installer to reinstall XP on big box
> (Dell, etc) computers.  Just plug in your product key from that sticker,
> and it should work.   You won't have any of the factory extras, of
> course, but they're mostly crap.  Less fortunate is the loss of specific
> drivers that are sometimes included into branded OEM installers.
> 
> This is the order of preference I use in resetting a machine's software:
> 
> 1) Restoration partition on the hard drive. 2) Restoration discs
> provided by manufacturer. 3) Generic OEM installer.
> 
> You can often get a cleaner install by just using option 3.  Some
> manufacturers restore the system by basically just copying a disc image
> that is preloaded with all sorts of bloat, and you can avoid that by
> using the generic installer.  Finding and kicking drivers in place,
> though, has its own set of problems.

And the answer to his question is?

Yes or no?


-- 
I'm one of those linuxfux. So sue me.