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Next: Windows XP Product Keys
From: M K on 31 Mar 2010 04:55
Hi!
I have been given a DELL Inspiron E1505 laptop computer to try to repair for
someone. The manual for the computer says that no Windows reinstalation
disks are necessary or provided as I must use Windows System Restore or a
utility that restores the hard drive to the original factory state. In
attempting to use System Restore the system hung in operation and did not
restore. When I boot, in any mode, the mouse and keyboard will seize up
just at Windows logon. I can no longer access System Restore. I neither
can boot in safe mode and booting with "last known good" seizes up also.

Using the mafacturer's recomendation for restoring the OS would delete all
data files on the computer as it is restored to the original factory state.
I would like not to loose the data on the computer if possible.

I had an idea that I could try to use an OEM Windows Xp home reinstalation
disk from an old Gateway desktop computer to try to repair the instalation
as I have used it once to repair the Gateway. I would like to know if this
can be done.

More specifically I would like to know:
1) If there would be issues with the CD key. Can I use the key for the OEM
version or must I use one intended for the laptop. Where would I find this
key if I do not have reinstalation disks and the computer is not bootable.

2)Are there any issues for product activation that could cause problems? I
am repairing not reinstalling Windows on the computer so I would think
Microsoft would not mind.

3)Would there be problems if I use the OEM disks which were intended for a
desktop and not a laptop? I am thinking thata drivers for the laptop would
not install. However I am thinking if I could repair Windows on the laptop
I could concievably down load any drivers for the system from the internet
or hopefully be able to try another System Restore restoring the computer to
a previous state.

Failing the above I am thinking I possibly could try to fix the mouse and
keyboard problem by booting to the recovery CD and manually copying over
replacement files. I know how to access the CD but not what needs to copy
or where to. Regaining some control of the computer would allow me to at
least be able to try another System Restore again.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Max



From: ruic on 31 Mar 2010 16:22
If the laptop has a MS key printed on it you should be able to use that key
with any XP installation Disk as long it is a XP Pro key and a XP Pro CD or
XP Home key and XP Home disk.

If you are doing a repair then you should not have to put the key in again
if you are doing a reinstall you will need the key.

Laptop and desktop keys are interchangeable. There aren't different keys for
laptops and desktops.

Rui

"M K" <anon(a)anon.com> wrote in message
news:OEppvAL0KHA.6068(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Hi!
> I have been given a DELL Inspiron E1505 laptop computer to try to repair
> for
> someone. The manual for the computer says that no Windows reinstalation
> disks are necessary or provided as I must use Windows System Restore or a
> utility that restores the hard drive to the original factory state. In
> attempting to use System Restore the system hung in operation and did not
> restore. When I boot, in any mode, the mouse and keyboard will seize up
> just at Windows logon. I can no longer access System Restore. I neither
> can boot in safe mode and booting with "last known good" seizes up also.
>
> Using the mafacturer's recomendation for restoring the OS would delete all
> data files on the computer as it is restored to the original factory
> state.
> I would like not to loose the data on the computer if possible.
>
> I had an idea that I could try to use an OEM Windows Xp home reinstalation
> disk from an old Gateway desktop computer to try to repair the instalation
> as I have used it once to repair the Gateway. I would like to know if
> this
> can be done.
>
> More specifically I would like to know:
> 1) If there would be issues with the CD key. Can I use the key for the
> OEM
> version or must I use one intended for the laptop. Where would I find
> this
> key if I do not have reinstalation disks and the computer is not bootable.
>
> 2)Are there any issues for product activation that could cause problems?
> I
> am repairing not reinstalling Windows on the computer so I would think
> Microsoft would not mind.
>
> 3)Would there be problems if I use the OEM disks which were intended for a
> desktop and not a laptop? I am thinking thata drivers for the laptop
> would
> not install. However I am thinking if I could repair Windows on the
> laptop
> I could concievably down load any drivers for the system from the internet
> or hopefully be able to try another System Restore restoring the computer
> to
> a previous state.
>
> Failing the above I am thinking I possibly could try to fix the mouse and
> keyboard problem by booting to the recovery CD and manually copying over
> replacement files. I know how to access the CD but not what needs to copy
> or where to. Regaining some control of the computer would allow me to at
> least be able to try another System Restore again.
>
> Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Max
>
>
>


From: M K on 1 Apr 2010 06:22

OK! It would be possible now to try to repair Windows XP on the laptop
using the OEM disk for my desktop. Thanks for the reply.

However I have to wonder now if there would be a problem repairing from the
desktop OEM CD as drivers loaded from that CD would be designed for the
older desktop computer rather than the laptop. For example, drivers from
that CD would drive a regular mouse and keyboard not a laptop touch pad and
laptop keypad. If the repair operation leaves the existing drivers on the
hard drive and simply adds drivers for a regular mouse and keyboard I may be
ok. However if the repair operation replaces or removes the existing
drivers I may still have a problem. Any thoughts on this?

I would also be interested to know if a Windows repair operation would
delete System Restore points stored on the computer. I do know that a
repair operation does remove updates to the OS why I ask this.


"ruic" <ruic(a)easthanovertownship.com> wrote in message
news:Oclhj$Q0KHA.3412(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> If the laptop has a MS key printed on it you should be able to use that
key
> with any XP installation Disk as long it is a XP Pro key and a XP Pro CD
or
> XP Home key and XP Home disk.
>
> If you are doing a repair then you should not have to put the key in again
> if you are doing a reinstall you will need the key.
>
> Laptop and desktop keys are interchangeable. There aren't different keys
for
> laptops and desktops.
>
> Rui
>
> "M K" <anon(a)anon.com> wrote in message
> news:OEppvAL0KHA.6068(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> > Hi!
> > I have been given a DELL Inspiron E1505 laptop computer to try to repair
> > for
> > someone. The manual for the computer says that no Windows reinstalation
> > disks are necessary or provided as I must use Windows System Restore or
a
> > utility that restores the hard drive to the original factory state. In
> > attempting to use System Restore the system hung in operation and did
not
> > restore. When I boot, in any mode, the mouse and keyboard will seize up
> > just at Windows logon. I can no longer access System Restore. I
neither
> > can boot in safe mode and booting with "last known good" seizes up also.
> >
> > Using the mafacturer's recomendation for restoring the OS would delete
all
> > data files on the computer as it is restored to the original factory
> > state.
> > I would like not to loose the data on the computer if possible.
> >
> > I had an idea that I could try to use an OEM Windows Xp home
reinstalation
> > disk from an old Gateway desktop computer to try to repair the
instalation
> > as I have used it once to repair the Gateway. I would like to know if
> > this
> > can be done.
> >
> > More specifically I would like to know:
> > 1) If there would be issues with the CD key. Can I use the key for the
> > OEM
> > version or must I use one intended for the laptop. Where would I find
> > this
> > key if I do not have reinstalation disks and the computer is not
bootable.
> >
> > 2)Are there any issues for product activation that could cause problems?
> > I
> > am repairing not reinstalling Windows on the computer so I would think
> > Microsoft would not mind.
> >
> > 3)Would there be problems if I use the OEM disks which were intended for
a
> > desktop and not a laptop? I am thinking thata drivers for the laptop
> > would
> > not install. However I am thinking if I could repair Windows on the
> > laptop
> > I could concievably down load any drivers for the system from the
internet
> > or hopefully be able to try another System Restore restoring the
computer
> > to
> > a previous state.
> >
> > Failing the above I am thinking I possibly could try to fix the mouse
and
> > keyboard problem by booting to the recovery CD and manually copying over
> > replacement files. I know how to access the CD but not what needs to
copy
> > or where to. Regaining some control of the computer would allow me to
at
> > least be able to try another System Restore again.
> >
> > Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Max
> >
> >
> >
>
>




From: ruic on 1 Apr 2010 10:22
If the laptop was built before windows xp came out then the drivers should
be on the XP cd. If the laptop is newer then you may have to go to the
manufactures web site to download a driver for the touchpad. The keyboard is
just another keyboard it should work.

Restore points will be deleted.

Rui

"M K" <anon(a)anon.com> wrote in message
news:udY6bVY0KHA.4832(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>
> OK! It would be possible now to try to repair Windows XP on the laptop
> using the OEM disk for my desktop. Thanks for the reply.
>
> However I have to wonder now if there would be a problem repairing from
> the
> desktop OEM CD as drivers loaded from that CD would be designed for the
> older desktop computer rather than the laptop. For example, drivers from
> that CD would drive a regular mouse and keyboard not a laptop touch pad
> and
> laptop keypad. If the repair operation leaves the existing drivers on the
> hard drive and simply adds drivers for a regular mouse and keyboard I may
> be
> ok. However if the repair operation replaces or removes the existing
> drivers I may still have a problem. Any thoughts on this?
>
> I would also be interested to know if a Windows repair operation would
> delete System Restore points stored on the computer. I do know that a
> repair operation does remove updates to the OS why I ask this.
>
>
> "ruic" <ruic(a)easthanovertownship.com> wrote in message
> news:Oclhj$Q0KHA.3412(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> If the laptop has a MS key printed on it you should be able to use that
> key
>> with any XP installation Disk as long it is a XP Pro key and a XP Pro CD
> or
>> XP Home key and XP Home disk.
>>
>> If you are doing a repair then you should not have to put the key in
>> again
>> if you are doing a reinstall you will need the key.
>>
>> Laptop and desktop keys are interchangeable. There aren't different keys
> for
>> laptops and desktops.
>>
>> Rui
>>
>> "M K" <anon(a)anon.com> wrote in message
>> news:OEppvAL0KHA.6068(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> > Hi!
>> > I have been given a DELL Inspiron E1505 laptop computer to try to
>> > repair
>> > for
>> > someone. The manual for the computer says that no Windows
>> > reinstalation
>> > disks are necessary or provided as I must use Windows System Restore or
> a
>> > utility that restores the hard drive to the original factory state.
>> > In
>> > attempting to use System Restore the system hung in operation and did
> not
>> > restore. When I boot, in any mode, the mouse and keyboard will seize
>> > up
>> > just at Windows logon. I can no longer access System Restore. I
> neither
>> > can boot in safe mode and booting with "last known good" seizes up
>> > also.
>> >
>> > Using the mafacturer's recomendation for restoring the OS would delete
> all
>> > data files on the computer as it is restored to the original factory
>> > state.
>> > I would like not to loose the data on the computer if possible.
>> >
>> > I had an idea that I could try to use an OEM Windows Xp home
> reinstalation
>> > disk from an old Gateway desktop computer to try to repair the
> instalation
>> > as I have used it once to repair the Gateway. I would like to know if
>> > this
>> > can be done.
>> >
>> > More specifically I would like to know:
>> > 1) If there would be issues with the CD key. Can I use the key for the
>> > OEM
>> > version or must I use one intended for the laptop. Where would I find
>> > this
>> > key if I do not have reinstalation disks and the computer is not
> bootable.
>> >
>> > 2)Are there any issues for product activation that could cause
>> > problems?
>> > I
>> > am repairing not reinstalling Windows on the computer so I would think
>> > Microsoft would not mind.
>> >
>> > 3)Would there be problems if I use the OEM disks which were intended
>> > for
> a
>> > desktop and not a laptop? I am thinking thata drivers for the laptop
>> > would
>> > not install. However I am thinking if I could repair Windows on the
>> > laptop
>> > I could concievably down load any drivers for the system from the
> internet
>> > or hopefully be able to try another System Restore restoring the
> computer
>> > to
>> > a previous state.
>> >
>> > Failing the above I am thinking I possibly could try to fix the mouse
> and
>> > keyboard problem by booting to the recovery CD and manually copying
>> > over
>> > replacement files. I know how to access the CD but not what needs to
> copy
>> > or where to. Regaining some control of the computer would allow me to
> at
>> > least be able to try another System Restore again.
>> >
>> > Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> > Max
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
>
>


From: M K on 2 Apr 2010 03:39
So I should now be able to at least recover Windows even though I may loose
drivers and restore points. But at least the data on the computer would be
saved. From here I should be able to redownload updates and work towards
restoring the computer. Thanks again.

It seems odd that the only two main options to repair Windows are a factory
reset or System Restore without the functionality to repair that used to be
possible when reinstalation CDs were provided. I awoke this morning with an
idea. I checked and there is an i386 folder on the laptop. Years ago I may
have recovered a Windows instalation using a setup program in it. If I
could repair the Windows instalation this way then the problem of obsolete
drivers should become mute. My problem now is I can not access the laptop
even in Safe Mode and the Recovery CD does not seem to allow me to launch
excutable programs. There is nothing about this in the manual and I failed
to find any thing about it on the DELL website. Perhaps there is a boot
sequence that you may know that may activate this program at boot or a way
to make the Recovery Console execute a program from disk.

Thanks again for your assistance you have been a great help to me.
Max

"ruic" <ruic(a)easthanovertownship.com> wrote in message
news:ulv52aa0KHA.4204(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> If the laptop was built before windows xp came out then the drivers should
> be on the XP cd. If the laptop is newer then you may have to go to the
> manufactures web site to download a driver for the touchpad. The keyboard
is
> just another keyboard it should work.
>
> Restore points will be deleted.
>
> Rui
>
> "M K" <anon(a)anon.com> wrote in message
> news:udY6bVY0KHA.4832(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> >
> > OK! It would be possible now to try to repair Windows XP on the laptop
> > using the OEM disk for my desktop. Thanks for the reply.
> >
> > However I have to wonder now if there would be a problem repairing from
> > the
> > desktop OEM CD as drivers loaded from that CD would be designed for the
> > older desktop computer rather than the laptop. For example, drivers
from
> > that CD would drive a regular mouse and keyboard not a laptop touch pad
> > and
> > laptop keypad. If the repair operation leaves the existing drivers on
the
> > hard drive and simply adds drivers for a regular mouse and keyboard I
may
> > be
> > ok. However if the repair operation replaces or removes the existing
> > drivers I may still have a problem. Any thoughts on this?
> >
> > I would also be interested to know if a Windows repair operation would
> > delete System Restore points stored on the computer. I do know that a
> > repair operation does remove updates to the OS why I ask this.
> >
> >
> > "ruic" <ruic(a)easthanovertownship.com> wrote in message
> > news:Oclhj$Q0KHA.3412(a)TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >> If the laptop has a MS key printed on it you should be able to use that
> > key
> >> with any XP installation Disk as long it is a XP Pro key and a XP Pro
CD
> > or
> >> XP Home key and XP Home disk.
> >>
> >> If you are doing a repair then you should not have to put the key in
> >> again
> >> if you are doing a reinstall you will need the key.
> >>
> >> Laptop and desktop keys are interchangeable. There aren't different
keys
> > for
> >> laptops and desktops.
> >>
> >> Rui
> >>
> >> "M K" <anon(a)anon.com> wrote in message
> >> news:OEppvAL0KHA.6068(a)TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> >> > Hi!
> >> > I have been given a DELL Inspiron E1505 laptop computer to try to
> >> > repair
> >> > for
> >> > someone. The manual for the computer says that no Windows
> >> > reinstalation
> >> > disks are necessary or provided as I must use Windows System Restore
or
> > a
> >> > utility that restores the hard drive to the original factory state.
> >> > In
> >> > attempting to use System Restore the system hung in operation and did
> > not
> >> > restore. When I boot, in any mode, the mouse and keyboard will seize
> >> > up
> >> > just at Windows logon. I can no longer access System Restore. I
> > neither
> >> > can boot in safe mode and booting with "last known good" seizes up
> >> > also.
> >> >
> >> > Using the mafacturer's recomendation for restoring the OS would
delete
> > all
> >> > data files on the computer as it is restored to the original factory
> >> > state.
> >> > I would like not to loose the data on the computer if possible.
> >> >
> >> > I had an idea that I could try to use an OEM Windows Xp home
> > reinstalation
> >> > disk from an old Gateway desktop computer to try to repair the
> > instalation
> >> > as I have used it once to repair the Gateway. I would like to know
if
> >> > this
> >> > can be done.
> >> >
> >> > More specifically I would like to know:
> >> > 1) If there would be issues with the CD key. Can I use the key for
the
> >> > OEM
> >> > version or must I use one intended for the laptop. Where would I
find
> >> > this
> >> > key if I do not have reinstalation disks and the computer is not
> > bootable.
> >> >
> >> > 2)Are there any issues for product activation that could cause
> >> > problems?
> >> > I
> >> > am repairing not reinstalling Windows on the computer so I would
think
> >> > Microsoft would not mind.
> >> >
> >> > 3)Would there be problems if I use the OEM disks which were intended
> >> > for
> > a
> >> > desktop and not a laptop? I am thinking thata drivers for the laptop
> >> > would
> >> > not install. However I am thinking if I could repair Windows on the
> >> > laptop
> >> > I could concievably down load any drivers for the system from the
> > internet
> >> > or hopefully be able to try another System Restore restoring the
> > computer
> >> > to
> >> > a previous state.
> >> >
> >> > Failing the above I am thinking I possibly could try to fix the mouse
> > and
> >> > keyboard problem by booting to the recovery CD and manually copying
> >> > over
> >> > replacement files. I know how to access the CD but not what needs to
> > copy
> >> > or where to. Regaining some control of the computer would allow me
to
> > at
> >> > least be able to try another System Restore again.
> >> >
> >> > Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks
> >> > Max
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>


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