Yeah, I love these Dell disks too. All I run is Dell, so whenever I get a new PC, all my older Dells get the OS updated! Other PC manufacturers include (if your lucky) "restore" dvd's and not "reinstall" ones and they are usually model specific software.
This is perfect if your upgrading from XP to Vista or just reinstalling Vista.
This disk will NOT work as an upgrade disk. Only a complete fresh install. It doesn't require a key because the disk will query your bios and if it reports back a genuine Dell bios, it installs itself with a special embedded key. No activation required either.
Since this requires a fresh install, it doesn't matter what OS you used to have. If for some reason it doesn't update all your drivers, you can go to the Dell website and get them.
If I reformat my Dell desktop does this install OVER my OS? I am an old lady but think I can handle this...Desktop running slow these days..Will it make it better? Can only use on one computer ...right? Thanks and good luck with the auction...If you answer me before it ends I will bid on it..
If you format your drive,then there is no OS installed. This is the preffered method to install, on a nice clean formatted drive. As far as speeding it up, well I have noticed that a fresh install always makes thinks run faster. Memory always helps too. Also, with this disk, you can install it on a million dell pc's and never need an activation code
@Bette this will reinstall and format your harddrive. you do need to have a certificate of authenticity to activate it but if it's a Dell that had vista on it before it'll activate itself. you will probably have to hit f12 when you start the computer to multiboot options and start from cd/DVD drive. if you need help when you win this hit me up!
Just to be clear. This will install on a Dell that had XP, VISTA, or WIN7. NO ACTIVATION KEY required. I have installed these type of disks on HUNDREDS of Dell pc's. Even my Dell Win7 disk installs on XP machines with no activation issues.