OS Recovery CD?

Apologisenow · #1 Jul 4, 2008, 01:09 AM

I have a recovery CD for Windows XP Home edition on my dell computer. Can i use this on other computers to put an OS on?

Curlyben · Jul 4, 2008, 02:03 AM

Nope as it's a model specific image.

Apologisenow · Jul 4, 2008, 03:03 AM

What exactly does that mean?

NeedKarma · Jul 4, 2008, 03:53 AM

The Recovery CD contains not only the operating system installation files but the drivers specific to the hardware included in that model of computer. They all get installed at the same time.

Apologisenow · Jul 4, 2008, 03:59 AM

This is probably stupid but can you not just delete the drivers then and have the OS?

NeedKarma · Jul 4, 2008, 04:16 AM

I guess you could. The computer would boot with missing drivers and error messages especially if the recovery CD installs motherboard chipset drivers.

JBeaucaire · Jul 4, 2008, 05:45 AM

Good luck on this, most of the Recovery CDs I've tried to boot in another computer stop me completely when the hardware test it runs at the beginning reveals it's NOT the right computer. I've never been able to get the Recovery CD to actually install on anything other than the correct PC/laptop.

Apologisenow · Jul 4, 2008, 06:17 AM

Aww so if im building a PC do i have to buy an OS?

NeedKarma · Jul 4, 2008, 06:23 AM

Yes if you are planning on using Windows or Mac OSX, no if you are planning on using Linux.

Apologisenow · Jul 4, 2008, 06:39 AM

Ok thanks. Is there anywhere on the web i can get a cheap windows XP?



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