# Windows XP add-on...I think. Can I use this? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 16, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676 "2004-03-16T18:22:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/1 "2004-03-16T18:22:12Z")
My wife brought home a Windows XP add on so I can put it on my machine…I am currently using ME (aka satan-ware) and I want to upgrade to XP. But this software she got from work and it says it is for use on new Dell PC’s only. Apparently it came with every Dell provided to people in her department…Is this the actual program? It say’s windows XP. but when I put it on my machine and entered the product key given it would not accept it. Do I have to completely uninstall windows to install this? I have a back-up of everything already created. What should I do? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/2 "2004-03-16T18:31:16Z")
It sounds like an OEM install disk. These vary greatly in what they will and will not allow you to do. If you don’t have a Dell PC, it’s at least possible that the install program detects that and won’t allow you to use that key. If it won’t accept that key, then you’re SOL as far as anything I could tell you here. Go buy XP, ya bum! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![LateComer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5ac83/32.png) [@LateComer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LateComer)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/3 "2004-03-16T18:36:37Z")
If you’re machine is not a Dell, I don’t think you can install it. I think what you have is a Reinstallation CD, is that correct? I have one in front of me, it says: “Only use this CD to reinstall the operating system on a Dell Computer.” We’ve tried to use these to rebuilt machines and they do indeed check to see if the machine is a Dell and will not work. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/4 "2004-03-16T18:37:55Z")
**Q** - I do have a Dell…does that matter? ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/5 "2004-03-16T18:38:07Z")
Um, you are aware that the question you’re asking is this, yes? > [@](#): > > Hi. I want to steal a copy of Windows XP. But that dang Microsoft put in protection so that it won’t install on my computer. Also, they put a big label on it, telling me so. Help me in my theft! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/6 "2004-03-16T18:47:42Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > **Q** - I do have a Dell…does that matter? Not really, no. As far as the installation program is concerned, your PC doesn’t qualify. Again, if it won’t accept the key, there’s nothing you can do about it. That said, _do_ upgrade. ME is the original OS From Hell. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/7 "2004-03-16T18:51:51Z")
**Bill** I believe the software is licensed to be multi-user But I am not sure. it came with my wifes machine…Oh well. I’ll just buy one I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/8 "2004-03-16T19:07:59Z")
**Phlosphr** , I know it’s an innocent error, but when you buy a Dell with Windows on it, it’s for that machine only. I’m fairly certain as I’ve bought several dozen Dells in the last few months. I concur that XP is what you want and ME is what you want to be rid of. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/9 "2004-03-16T21:16:13Z")
I worked for Dell for a couple of years and they gave all the tech support guys and gals a Dell OEM XP disk. I built a new system a couple of weeks ago and decided I’d thow that disk in to see if I could install. Worked like a charm. However they never gave us product keys so I was pretty much up the creek at that point. Yes, a Dell OEM disk will install on a non-Dell system. But if that product key has ever been used before, then you wouln’t be able to activate XP with Microsoft and it will be useless in 30 days anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Quint\_Essence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/54ee81/32.png) [@Quint\_Essence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint_Essence)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2004, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-xp-add-on-i-think-can-i-use-this/234676/10 "2004-03-17T01:11:45Z")
it likely simply didnt install because A: It detected the existance of a prior operating system and it is NOT an upgrade version, (to fix this delete your boot partition or erase [coomand.com](http://coomand.com) and c:\windows\[win.com](http://win.com) and boot with the xp cd. NOTE\* this will render your current windows inoperative.) or B: Your machine does not have the processor speed, memory, and/or disk space necessary.