# So my Dell computer sucks... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 7, 2009, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683 "2009-03-07T22:32:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ManiacMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b782af/32.png) [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/21 "2009-03-08T22:06:46Z")
Thanks again for all the replies… I will do some more homework and before I do anything I will back up all my stuff. Will let you guys know how it went when I take the plunge…or more like sometime after I take the plunge. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/22 "2009-03-09T15:17:16Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I was always under the impression that an OEM version of Windows and a retail version of Windows were not, in fact, the same thing, and that an OEM license key will not work with a retail version of the software. You may be right about that; I don’t know. I can tell you for sure, though, that any OEM version will work with any OEM license … I have done it many times … so if there is a difference between the retail and OEM versions the OP simply needs to borrow an OEM CD. It’s possible I never ran into any problems simply because most everybody uses OEM. I just hate to see the OP needlessly give more money to MicroSoft when he already holds a valid license. If he is unable to or uncomfortable with borrowing a CD for some reason, MicroSoft will send a replacement CD for something like $10 to a valid license holder. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/23 "2009-03-09T16:12:57Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > That was the case at one time (they used the same 20 pin connector, but the pin layout was different), but they have since switched to the standard. I have replaced the power supplies on a Dimension 4500 and a 4700 with non-Dell units and have not had any issue. Glad I weasel-worded my statement then. 🙂 My at-home experience with Dells is always limited to five-to-six-year-old models because I buy them used at library upgrade sales. To date, I’ve had a GXa, a GX1p, a GX150, a GX260, and a GX400. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/24 "2009-03-09T17:17:14Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > I was always under the impression that an OEM version of Windows and a retail version of Windows were not, in fact, the same thing, and that an OEM license key will not work with a retail version of the software. Here’s my understanding: If you have an OEM machine that needs a new reinstall, you can use any cd (as long as it is XP Home to XP Home, or XP Pro to XP Pro, or Vista whatever to Vista whatever), because when you need to do the Activation, you’ll give the code that is one the sticker of the machine you’re working on. What you CAN’T do, is to use that OEM sticker for a different machine. You can’t say, “I paid for this license, and now I’m transferring this license to another machine.” Nope. Can’t do it. That’s why OEM licenses are cheaper than boxed ones. Boxed licenses CAN be moved from pc to pc, as long as it is only on one machine at a time. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/25 "2009-03-09T18:07:58Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > Here’s my understanding: > > If you have an OEM machine that needs a new reinstall, you can use any cd (as long as it is XP Home to XP Home, or XP Pro to XP Pro, or Vista whatever to Vista whatever), because when you need to do the Activation, you’ll give the code that is one the sticker of the machine you’re working on. I have tried this, and it has failed. I don’t know if it will always fail, but the times I have tried it, the OEM product key from the sticker on the computer would not work with a retail version of Windows XP. ---
**Author:** ![Xgemina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/b5e925/32.png) [@Xgemina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xgemina)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/26 "2009-03-09T21:06:08Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I have tried this, and it has failed. I don’t know if it will always fail, but the times I have tried it, the OEM product key from the sticker on the computer would not work with a retail version of Windows XP. I just did this with my Dell about 6 months ago. The original HD crapped out after 3 years and I put in a new Seagate 500 GB Sata. I used my roommates retail XP disk to install since I couldn’t find mine. When I came to the verify part of the install it would not take the OEM sticker license number so I chose the verify later option. When XP OS tried to update the MS website took me to a verification area where it offered me a valid license for $99 or I could try putting in the license # on the website. I put in the OEM sticker # here and it accepted it as a valid license. My machine has been happily updating ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2009, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683/27 "2009-03-09T21:23:10Z")
> [@Xgemina](#): > > When I came to the verify part of the install it would not take the OEM sticker license number so I chose the verify later option. When XP OS tried to update the MS website took me to a verification area where it offered me a valid license for $99 or I could try putting in the license # on the website. I put in the OEM sticker # here and it accepted it as a valid license. My machine has been happily updating ever since. In my experience, it will not complete the install without a key that it considers valid. I did not get a chance to verify later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-dell-computer-sucks/488683.md?page=1)