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Reinstalling Windows

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6 replies

by vickyan

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My Dell computer crashed. I have several Dell back up CD's and the one I used to try to reinstall windows the product key doesn't match what is on the back of the computer so it keeps coming up with an error and won't let me past that point. Can someone tell me how to proceed? I am trying to install Office 2000 Professional that I have the product key for but can't figure out how to do it. Can someone help. Thanks.

6 replies

by boxfiddler

This person is running Win2K, not XP. The thing is crashed so there is no way to get into the registry to find an existing key or change what is there.

Pay attention or go away.

by older mycroft

Assuming it takes 1 second to hit the 'Submit Post' button, that only leaves 86,398 chances to be wrong, per day.

Mmm... ;)

by boxfiddler

Do you know whether or not it has a recovery partition? Have you checked at Dell's website for a Users Manual to help you find and use a Recovery partition?

Do you have the original disks that came with the computer? Those would be the correct disks to use, as they would have the bundled software and the correct drivers for that computer.

by kenone

The ones that came with the machine? You should have one for the OS and one for apps and one for drivers. Use the OS one first, it shouldn't even ask you for a Key. Are you trying to upgrade the OS? From 2000 to XP for example? You'll need a key code for that.
You can't install any apps until you get the OS installed. I'd do the drivers first though.
Are you saying that office crashed? To re-install office you'll need an office install disk the Key code for that is on the disk cover. Not the machine.

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