License for reinstall

[JB]

I have 4 Dell computers, each came with a copy of Windows XP pro, so I have 4
legal copies of Windows XP. Three have Service Pack 2 on them, which would
make it quicker to go through the process of reinstalling, but the machine I
need to reinstall on came with the version before any of the service packs.
Does it matter which copy of XP I use to reinstall with, or can I use one of
the copies with service pack 2 already on it?

[kim]

"JB" > wrote in message
...
>I have 4 Dell computers, each came with a copy of Windows XP pro, so I have
>4
> legal copies of Windows XP. Three have Service Pack 2 on them, which
> would
> make it quicker to go through the process of reinstalling, but the machine
> I
> need to reinstall on came with the version before any of the service
> packs.
> Does it matter which copy of XP I use to reinstall with, or can I use one
> of
> the copies with service pack 2 already on it?

Just use one of the copies with SP2.

[John Barnett MVP[_3_]]

You can use a copy that has SP2 incorporated.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..


"JB" > wrote in message
...
> I have 4 Dell computers, each came with a copy of Windows XP pro, so I
> have 4
> legal copies of Windows XP. Three have Service Pack 2 on them, which
> would
> make it quicker to go through the process of reinstalling, but the machine
> I
> need to reinstall on came with the version before any of the service
> packs.
> Does it matter which copy of XP I use to reinstall with, or can I use one
> of
> the copies with service pack 2 already on it?

[JB]

Thanks for the help!

"JB" wrote:

> I have 4 Dell computers, each came with a copy of Windows XP pro, so I have 4
> legal copies of Windows XP. Three have Service Pack 2 on them, which would
> make it quicker to go through the process of reinstalling, but the machine I
> need to reinstall on came with the version before any of the service packs.
> Does it matter which copy of XP I use to reinstall with, or can I use one of
> the copies with service pack 2 already on it?

[John Barnett MVP[_3_]]

You're Welcome!

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..


"JB" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the help!
>
> "JB" wrote:
>
>> I have 4 Dell computers, each came with a copy of Windows XP pro, so I
>> have 4
>> legal copies of Windows XP. Three have Service Pack 2 on them, which
>> would
>> make it quicker to go through the process of reinstalling, but the
>> machine I
>> need to reinstall on came with the version before any of the service
>> packs.
>> Does it matter which copy of XP I use to reinstall with, or can I use one
>> of
>> the copies with service pack 2 already on it?

[Patrick Keenan]

"JB" > wrote in message
...
>I have 4 Dell computers, each came with a copy of Windows XP pro, so I have
>4
> legal copies of Windows XP. Three have Service Pack 2 on them, which
> would
> make it quicker to go through the process of reinstalling, but the machine
> I
> need to reinstall on came with the version before any of the service
> packs.
> Does it matter which copy of XP I use to reinstall with, or can I use one
> of
> the copies with service pack 2 already on it?

You can use the SP2 disks, unless they are "restore" disks, in which case
you won't also have separate driver CDs for each system. If you have the
driver CDs, then the Dell drivers aren't incorporated into the XP CD.

You can also try slipstreaming SP2 or SP3 onto these disks, but I have had
mixed results doing that with Dell XP CDs; often the slipstream fails
complaining that other updates had been applied.

HTH
-pk