How can I tell if I have the right XP Pro CD for a reinstall?

My wife and I were given an older Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop for our daughter to use (play games, type, and other general use, she is only 4). It has XP Pro installed and a few of their programs. I want to use a fresh install so that there is no remnants of their programs and/or company information. On the bottom of the laptop is two (2) Microsoft Certificates of Authenticity, one for XP home, and one for XP Pro. The XP Pro appears to be a multi use license as it has "Windows XP Professional 1-2CPU" on it. I have a bag full of OS CDs that they have, but have no idea how to determine which one is the right one for this machine. Or does it not matter?

Let me know if you need any other info as well.

The COA stickers will install what is properly known as the OEM version of windows XP. The serial for OEM, retail and VLC are not interchangeable. Additionally the home key will only work with hom, the pro key only with pro. There may be a dell restore/OS disk included as its an older machine, otherwise any OEM CD will work, so long as you have a valid working key.

The 1-2 CPU is not a multi use license, its for SMP workstations with multiple processors. As per the EULA, one OEM key is attached to the machine the sticker it is on (legally).

So to sum up, you are looking for possibly a "dell restore CD" which will reinstall all of dells junk, or a Windows XP 'oem' disk, which will look like any other XP CD.

nadtz wrote in post #7749801
The COA stickers will install what is properly known as the OEM version of windows XP. The serial for OEM, retail and VLC are not interchangeable. Additionally the home key will only work with hom, the pro key only with pro. There may be a dell restore/OS disk included as its an older machine, otherwise any OEM CD will work, so long as you have a valid working key.

The 1-2 CPU is not a multi use license, its for SMP workstations with multiple processors. As per the EULA, one OEM key is attached to the machine the sticker it is on (legally).

So to sum up, you are looking for possibly a "dell restore CD" which will reinstall all of dells junk, or a Windows XP 'oem' disk, which will look like any other XP CD.

Thanks for the help. I have both a Dell Restore CD (actually there are two) and about 6 regular OEM XP disks. It looks like I should try one of the Dell Restore disks then and the other OEM disks are for their non-Dell machines?

Like nadtz said, as long as you have a valid COA all you need is a OS disc. You might want to go onto the MS site ahead of time to download SP3 and burn it to a disc so you can install it before you add any software. It will likely save you time and aggrevation.

hawkeye60 wrote in post #7749824
Like nadtz said, as long as you have a valid COA all you need is a OS disc. You might want to go onto the MS site ahead of time to download SP3 and burn it to a disc so you can install it before you add any software. It will likely save you time and aggrevation.

I really only want to go as far as SP2, which said it had to be done via Windows update, but thanks.

You may want to quickly check the titles of each of the OEM CD's you have in the bag that came with the machine by sticking them into the laptop and seeing what pops up in My Computer. IIRC, the CD title will say what type of OS it is ( Home/Pro etc )

that might give you a better indication of which disc to try first. I'd imagine the XP Pro will be newer than that the Home version. ( COA's should also say if they are SP1 or SP2 ... the part numbers changed for each new release )

There are softwares which will let you know what is the license key for the OS installed on your computer, write it down and install the same version (home/pro) on your laptop from one of the OEM discs and use that license key.

You can download SP2 and burn it to a CD, google for it. I would never connect an unpatched XP machine to the internet, it'll be taken over before you can run windows update.

hawkeye60 wrote in post #7749824
Like nadtz said, as long as you have a valid COA all you need is a OS disc. You might want to go onto the MS site ahead of time to download SP3 and burn it to a disc so you can install it before you add any software. It will likely save you time and aggrevation.

XP Keys are media specific. Retail Keys will not work with OEM CD's and vice versa. Upgrade and Full Keys are CD specific as well.

What I'll do if I don't have the correct media for an install is install XP with my Volume License Key and CD, then use the Microsoft Key changer to then install the Key that is on the machine.
this is what I do,
http://support.microso​ft.com/default.aspx/kb​/328874


There is also this one, but I haven't tried it,
http://www.microsoft.c​om …5a-4872-87d2-4b365e062d0e

Thanks for the advice guys. I used one of the two Dell OEM disks and it worked just fine. I still have updating to do, but all drivers are loaded and the machine works fine.

Tim, I have yet to have any trouble connecting a machine to the internet that hasn't been updated. Maybe because I am behind a firewall or perhaps just because I am very careful about where I go.

A firewall will only let data though on specific ports, so it will protect you from a lot of things.

In2Photos wrote in post #7749913
I really only want to go as far as SP2, which said it had to be done via Windows update, but thanks.

You can almost always get a full version from Microsoft download center (look for network install package for IT). Here is a link for XP SP2 full install http://www.microsoft.c​om …8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a . Like others said, I always have the service pack on my data drive for instant install after a reformat.