Hello, I have a question about the possibility of installing either Windows or Microsoft Office from a "Restore CD" instead of a regular copy, and if it is possible. I had a computer that came with a Restore CD, and the machine was preloaded with Win 98 and Microsoft Office. However, since then the machine went bad, so I scrapped it and parted it out. Now I have built a different computer, and I'm wondering if there is any way to use the "Restore CD" that I have left to install either a)Windows 98, b)Microsoft Office, or c)both, on the new machine. Also, since the new computer is a totally different setup (hardware-wise) than the old machine, also with a different hard-drive size, I'm wondering if it would work. I don't want to run the total "System Restore", just installing Windows 98. I also have a newer Compaq machine with Win XP and Office, but I received all 3 of the "Quick Resotre CD's", and I'm wondering if I could ever use them to install XP or Office onto a different machine. Any help would be appreciated, thanks. -Dustin

Well, maybe. I'm not 101% sure on this, so don't chisel my reply in stone :-) But, I believe Restore CDs are usually made for a particular computer brand and particular system. I don't think you can use a Restore CD from, let's say, an EMachines system on a Compaq. The reason being that particular companies put their own software on them usually---meaning you can't use EMachines system files on a Compaq. Also, the device drivers on the Restore CD are usally meant for specific hardware for a specific model sytem. So if you changed all your hardware, chances are the device drivers on the CD can't be used. Other than those two particular problems, I believe you could use it since the XP system files will be the same. Well, there could also be another problem I just thought about. XP was designed to be registered for one system I believe, so I don't know if having a different computer would make it not work or if registration pertains to one name and address only. I'm sure others in here can tell you what's what a lot better so I'll leave it to them :-)

I understand the "hardware drivers" part of it, because simply doing a System Restore would involve all the drivers, software, etc. all based around a certain machine's profile. But I'm wondering if any "Restore CD" that comes with a new computer contains an actual full, working copy of Windows 9x/XP on the disc somewhere. I don't intend to do a "Full System Restore", just the OS install. Does the OS on the compaq/e-machines restore CD have different (company specific) files imbedded in the OS that you might not find on a full-version CD? Now, if I were to have a full Windows 98 version disc, it wouldn't matter what hardware I had installed. So if the restore CD contains the same OS on it somewhere (unless it is all intertwined with hardware drivers, other software, etc), I don't see why, if you know what to do, you couldn't install Windows any differently than from a normal full-version CD copy. I believe if you buy a computer with Restore CD you still should have the same full license as purchasing Windows seperately, but I have heard some people say "No".

Hi Dustin, yes, all restore CDs have the full OS on them, what makes them different from standard install Cds is that the drivers and the pre-installed software are specific to a certain model of the company line. For example, one sytem may have a DVD drive and another may not. The one that does needs specific software and drivers to make it run, so the system that has the drive will have the software and drivers for it on that particular system's Restore CD. The company really doesn't have any "special files", so to say, usually a company like EMachines will have certain software to register your computer with them. Now, all that being said, some, including my own, restore cds have two different discs, one for the OS and the other for drivers. The reason I first said it may not work on a different computer is because they may not all have seperate discs, they may be "intertwined" with the OS. If you have one that has two discs, one with the XP operating system (or whatever OS you want) being the only thing on that one disc, then yes, you probably can use it. As far as licensing goes, I don't know if Restore CDs have a different way of doing things or if there is just one overall policy. I hope I've helped and not made things worse for you, good luck.

hi! normally, if you try to install xp from recovery disks on another pc, the installation process will ask for serial number of the pc (memorized on the eeprom on the mobo). it is normal with the xp recovery disks from big maker as compaq is. if not available (and it will be so), you can not install (but you can try). as for office, normally itīs integrated in the xp (i mean, in this case - recovery disks) and it is not possible to install w/o the whole system. but i never had an compaq, and who knows?

Hi, I asked this same question once b4...basically the answer is NO from what i understand.. Reason beind i tryed a 98 disk from a HP that i had..it will start to load on a new machine..but will get into it then put up a message to say basically it will only load on a HP machine, so too bad .. Oz http://computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/150883.html