I have 2 Dell's. A laptop that is 3 years old. I just purchased a new
desktop. Both run XP.
I want to get a larger HD for the laptop. For formatting and loading XP,
may I use the NEW disk that came with the desktop (and use the laptop's
security code)? Since the new disk is the SP2 updated disk I figure this one
would be bette than the old disk. Both disks (for laptop and desktop) are
OEM disks. I was told they are machine specific and therrefore the new disk
will not RUN on the old laptop.
Thanx

Firstly the laptop hd size (dimensions) will likely be smaller than the
desktop hd
Usually you can install a larger laptop hd, then use the Laptop recovery cd
to do a fresh install, generally OEM cd's tied to a system only fail if the
mobo, maybe vid also, is changed.

"Curious" <Curious@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:96D389E3-59FB-4D35-8BD5-A8C128E48EAF@microsoft.com...

You completely misunderstood the question.
I am NOT installing a new HD in the desktop. I am installing a new HD in
the LAPTOP. I know the dimensions are smaller. I am concerned with the
operating system.
Instead of using the WinXP that came with the laptop, I would like to format
the new HD (in the laptop) with the WinXP from the desktop--as it is an
updated version to the three year old OEM software that came with the laptop.
Is this possible, or are the OEM software disks MACHINE SPECIFIC?
Thanx

"DL" wrote:

That varies. In some cases they are, sometimes not.

I think you'll find that the Dell discs from ~3yrs ago were only mildly
machine-specific, and should work.

You may have a problem with the serial though, as SP1 serials generally
don't work on SP2 CDs.

You will also need the drivers for the laptop, which should be on a separate
CD.

No I didnt, however since you refer to disk instead of cd I naturally took
disk as hd
I also stated that OEM cd's can be sys specific

"Curious" <Curious@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BA0206AF-23EC-4D48-AC2F-00E0F3004E74@microsoft.com...