I know you're not supposed to put the OS that came pre-installed with a computer on another computer, but my notebook died and I might want to install Win2k Pro on a second (old) computer so I can have Win98SE, Win2k Pro and SuSe Linux on it. The problem is that the Win2k CD won't work on my computers because they're not Dells. Can I somehow get it to work anyway, or am I out of luck?
I don't think there is a way around it. OEM versions of operating systems usually have restrictions where they can be installed. I think they use the cpu serial to identify which computers are dell and which are not. If you BIOS has a setting to turn the cpu serial off then it may work.
Why don't you get an evaluation copy of Windows Server 2003 and install that instead?
I'm aware of changes that can be made to the BIOS information (not via the menus, but with certain DOS utilities) which the CD will read when it boots to determine if the machine is a 'Dell'. Something Like changing the stored manufacturer name or OEM name to 'Dell' I expect.
Hmm... I think I'll just stick with Win98SE and SuSe Linux for now. I'd rather not mess things up, which I surely will if I have to do something in DOS
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Posted - 26 September 2003 : 07:36:05
