Reinstallation CD with non-internet connected PCs

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  1. conrad101
    Posts : 9
    Windows 10 + Mac OS
       New #1

    Reinstallation CD with non-internet connected PCs


    Hi

    To say at the outset, I know that Windows XP has not been patched in ages and is totally obsolete, but please if I can explain...

    There is old lab equipment which requires Windows XP Pro - this is something I have zero control over. The tower computers being used have abolutely no connection to the internet. They will not ever be on the internet.

    We have some Dell XP Pro reinstallation CDs. The computers it would go on are also made by Dell.

    The main question - will these installation CDs work as far as installing XP on what is extremely likely a diifferent model of Dell PC?

    I'm a bit unclear, but I think there is an activation code required - I'm not exactly sure how XP activation worked?
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  3. pepanee
    Posts : 2,917
    Windows 10 Pro for the Bro
       New #2

    I think you can find a free Windows XP Pro installation disc online (if it is offered for free, or even if it is not free, I don't think there's any immoral issue on getting it, because it is no longer being sold anyways.) [does someone have more information on this topic?] Never mind this.

    Microsoft offers it for free:
    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Down....aspx?id=18242
    (this is x64 version)

    But anywho, I'm sure Microsoft offers it for free. Try searching online.

    Try installing it on one Dell PC, and hopefully you don't need to install any drivers for those Dell PCs, because it will be almost impossible, but I think still possible to find drivers required for the PCs using intense research online, and finding really old Windows XP drivers for those PCs...
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  4. dalchina
    Posts : 43,004
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #3

    We have some Dell XP Pro reinstallation CDs. The computers it would go on are also made by Dell.
    That they were issued by Dell then bears no correlation to the (presumably relatively new) PCs you wish to install it on.

    It is highly likely you will not have appropriate drivers for some of your hardware.
    FWIW consider whether you will install 32 bit XP or 64 bit XP.
    Your newer PCs may only have drivers compatible with a 64 bit O/S - you should check.

    Good luck!
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  6. Berton
    Posts : 14,022
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #4

    My experience is that Dell-branded OEM CDs work only on Dell and usually are Pre-Activated or OA. If it is not Pre-Activated it will accept the Product Key on the COA/Certificate of Authenticity. Also, WinXP Pro was offered as either x86 or x64 but the Home edition was x86 only, I still have a 64-bit CD. And I still have usable WinXP and Win7 computers, the only downside with the 64-bit was availability of other software that work on it.
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  7. Malneb
    Posts : 1,211
    Windows 10
       New #5

    Yes those install CDs will work.

    If the Dell PC are from the XP era too so anything 775 and below roughly and roughly ddr2 based platform then they are going to have an OEM XP sticker on the side of the tower somewhere unless someone removed it.

    You can just do what @pepanee mentioned and download it from Microsoft failing all these options then you can get a cd key online for free very easy from a website like this. WinWorld: Welcome

    or even just google for XP keys you wil get many hits straight away as XP was pirated very heavily and keys were so easy to get from the side of schools pc or pcs in the library etc and just in general keys were easy to source illegitimately.
    Last edited by Malneb; 18 Nov 2022 at 11:03.
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  8. conrad101
    Posts : 9
    Windows 10 + Mac OS
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Many thanks all!

    You've given me all the information I could possibly need

    Most appreciated!
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  9. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,343
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #7

    What is extremely likely a different model of Dell PC?

    Give us the hardware specs of the PC
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  10. Malneb
    Posts : 1,211
    Windows 10
       New #8

    @Megahertz They can just use all the basic MS drivers if its only going to be used for lab equipment? as i understand this is where you are heading?

    if op is lucky then their PC's will fall under XP driver support and hopefully they are not newer than that but depending on context it might not matter if all they are doing is very specific tasks and nothing outside of that.

    They also said they not going online so its sounds like some sort of proprietary use case like some old database or software reqs.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Multimedia would only be the hamper but i doubt they need that in the lab.

    - - - Updated - - -

    But yeah i agree post the specs and someone will elaborate further.
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  12. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,343
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #9

    Depending on the hardware you won't even see the target drive on witch you want Win XP installed (For example, there is no NVMe drivers to XP).
    A solution may be to install win XP on a virtual machine.
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  13. Paul Black
    Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       New #10

    Hello @conrad101,

    I am a bit late on parade but I found this for you which is an interesting article that you might find useful . . .

    > How to Download and Install Windows XP for Free

    It gives extra information on things that might NOT immediately spring to mind.

    I hope this helps.
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