dell e520

I have had alot of Dells in my time, I sell them on to people I know etc so I have alot of disks lying around. Recently I got a Dimension e520 with XP Home Edition on it. Using a Dell system disk where-by you dont need to enter another cd key I tried to put professional on it. Everytime I got into the screen to agree to the windows terms, it blue screened on me, with any disk I put in, HE, Professional and Media Centre. It still worked when I booted it up normally though. So I decided to install Pro with a 3100 I have, happy days! it worked! on the 3100 that is. As soon as I put it in the e520 started cutting out as it was about to boot into windows, and starting a loop, no safe mode either. I put it back in the 3100 to check and it does actualy work. Other hard drives work in the e520 ok as well. I am totaly stumped. Any ideas anyone?

At first glance, it looks like you are trying to do something, that by definition/EULA is not permitted. Dell backup or Restore or reinstallation CDs for the various XP operating systems sold for the accompanying machine are designed to be used on that machine only. Even if you are successful installing a Dell XP version onto another Dell machine, you are only setting up the owner/user for future problems of Activation/Validation/Update Failures. Best Regards

Hi, Sorry to hear of the problem with your Dell Computer. It is possible that Windows XP Home is installed on your e520 with the operating system locked to the Bios (tattoo) or that there is a hidden partition on the hard drive that contains the Recovery data and, of course, as that refers to Windows XP Home, it creates a problem when you attempt to install Windows XP Pro. It may well be that the Windows XP Pro install disc is either a Dell customised OEM, or an ordinary OEM version, in either case it would not usually be licensed for use on your e520 If you really want to put XP Pro on this machine then it would be best to Consult Dell, buy a retail copy of Windows XP (not an OEM version) and use this after deleting all existing partitions and formatting the drive (full not quick format required). You must be sure that all partitions have been removed including if applicable the hidden one. The object is to attempt to wipe everything completely from the disc before attempting the fresh install of Windows XP. on the newly partitioned and formatted disc. You may also be able to download disc cleaning/conditioning utilities from the hard drive manufacturer's web site that will help. You may find it easier to buy a new hard drive for your machine to go with your new Retail Windows XP Pro operating system. A phone call to Dell would quickly ascertain the licensing situation and provide information on whether your new hard drive, if you buy one, would need to be tattood by Dell or if a Bios update is required, or possible, and if so, all the fees involved. The general recommendation therefore must be to consult Dell before you make any moves and ensure that you have backed up all important files, data, settings and drivers. Regards paws