I have a Dell desktop with Windows XP-a registered version in my name. I'd like to put the XP version on my HP laptop that has Windows 98 also registered in my name. Is this possible? I've been told that the Dell version will not allow installation on a non-Dell product. Has anyone tried this?

I don't think is a Dell issue, though it's possible. The main reason is that XP requires activation w/ MS. When you bought the Dell, your XP license was activated for that particular system. If you tried to put it on you HP, the different configuration would prevent you from activating it.

The activation scheme looks at several different parameters (video card, cpu, expansion cards installed, etc.) then creates a unique hash value. That value is then put on an MS server when XP is first activated. You're allowed a limited number of system changes before you have to reactivate XP. If you put XP on an entirely different system, it would immediately flag it as the wrong system.

If your HP is running 98, I don't know how well your XP experience would be. The requirements for XP may be more than it can handle, or at least make your system feel "boggy".

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Thanks for the reply. Never thought about the HP Laptop bogging down- I'm sure it would. I'll probably leave everything the way it is. Looks like you are in the Navy- I was a long time ago. Thanks for serving.