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Are Recovery Disks Brand Specific?

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crabby3:
My first computer was an Averatec laptop, running XP and came with 3 recovery disks.

Can I use these on a different brand machine?  Like Dell, Acer or whatever?   :tellme:

40hz:
It depends. Quickest way to find out is to try. General rule of thumb: look at the disk directory. If it looks like a regular Windows CD, it will probably work. If you just see a few setup type executables plus long list of cryptically named files (like DM1134.MM or IMGSET.001...002...003 etc.) it probably won't work.

Older recovery disks from many vendors (like Dell) would usually work on any PC. That's because they were standard Windows disks tricked out with an installer shell and manufacturer specific driver sets, utility programs, and (later) crapware they were being paid to load on a fresh installation.

Newer disks, and most from Sony and HP, can be very brand (and in some cases model) specific. Not hard to do since a query to the BIOS will usually reveal make/model/ serial# info - all of which could be keyed to the supplied (or user created) recovery disk set.

The real tech hassle using another maker's recovery disks is that you'll need to obtain hardware drivers specific to your machine. A minor niggle. But one to be aware of.  And there's also a new issue that may become problematic down the road. HP has started a new policy of restricting free and open access to driver and BIOS updates for their servers. If you don't have a support subscription - no driver downloads for you! It will be interesting to see if other manufacturers follow suit - or if the practice spreads to desk and laptop models.

Note: the license for that OEM copy of Windows that ships with a PC is not transferable and is legally for use only on the machine it originally shipped with. That's why it cost much less than the full retail version Microsoft would be happy to sell you. Not to say an OEM licensed copy of Windows can't be physically installed and validated on another machine. But it is a EULA violation to do do.

Just sayin'  ;)

crabby3:
It depends. Quickest way to find out is to try. General rule of thumb: look at the disk directory. If it looks like a regular Windows CD, it will probably work. If you just see a few setup type executables plus long list of cryptically named files (like DM1134.MM or IMGSET.001...002...003 etc.) it probably won't work.

Older recovery disks from many vendors (like Dell) would usually work on any PC. That's because they were standard Windows disks tricked out with an installer shell and manufacturer specific driver sets, utility programs, and (later) crapware they were being paid to load on a fresh installation.

Newer disks, and most from Sony and HP, can be very brand (and in some cases model) specific. Not hard to do since a query to the BIOS will usually reveal make/model/ serial# info - all of which could be keyed to the supplied (or user created) recovery disk set.

The real tech hassle using another maker's recovery disks is that you'll need to obtain hardware drivers specific to your machine. A minor niggle. But one to be aware of.  And there's also a new issue that may become problematic down the road. HP has started a new policy of restricting free and open access to driver and BIOS updates for their servers. If you don't have a support subscription - no driver downloads for you! It will be interesting to see if other manufacturers follow suit - or if the practice spreads to desk and laptop models.

Note: the license for that OEM copy of Windows that ships with a PC is not transferable and is legally for use only on the machine it originally shipped with. That's why it cost much less than the full retail version Microsoft would be happy to sell you. Not to say an OEM licensed copy of Windows can't be physically installed and validated on another machine. But it is a EULA violation to do do.

Just sayin'  ;)
-40hz (May 12, 2014, 08:28 AM)
--- End quote ---

Thanks for the info 40hz.   :)  You've answered my question and then some.  Just have to find somebody who needs or wants em.
Bought the Averatec in 2005 and they went out of business in 2011 so my chances of locating an interested Averatec user are pretty slim.   ;D

40hz:
I'm guessing they'll probably work with almost anything.

You might want to hold onto them in case you ever need an "emergency copy" of XP. <wink-wink>  :)

tomos:
Note: the license for that OEM copy of Windows that ships with a PC is not transferable and is legally for use only on the machine it originally shipped with. That's why it cost much less than the full retail version Microsoft would be happy to sell you. Not to say an OEM licensed copy of Windows can't be physically installed and validated on another machine. But it is a EULA violation to do do.

Just sayin'  ;)
-40hz (May 12, 2014, 08:28 AM)
--- End quote ---
For the record - this is not fully true in Germany:
from an(y) ebay.de reseller of OEM Windows 7 -
Lizenzbestimmung: Durch das Urteil des Bundesgerichtshofs wurde der Verkauf von OEM-Versionen und DSP-Versionen ohne zugehörige Hardware erlaubt. Daher dürfen Sie diese Lizenz auf jedem xbeliebigem Rechner einsetzen. Dies ist im Bundesgerichtshof Urteil vom 06.07.2000 - I ZR 244/97 auch eindeutig dokumentiert.

--- End quote ---
-
roughly: the courts ruled that OEM versions may be sold without related hardware.

FWIW, they usually resell Dell OEM's

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