Can I use my desktop's recovery CD's for my laptop?

Question

I have the recovery CD's to install Vista from my HP desktop and want to use them to recover my laptop to its factory condition. The recovery partition on my laptop did NOT work and Dell wants me to pay for a set of recovery CDs. Can I save money and just use the desktop's recovery CD's? Will it work?

Answer 1

No.



The recovery disks are tailored specifically for the hardware of your desktop. It wont' work for your laptop because the preinstalled drivers will not match the laptop.

Answer 2

You can't use an HP recovery disc on a Dell. You can use an OEM Windows Installation disk to reinstall Windows on the Dell. It must be the same version (i.e. XP SP1, XP SP2, Vista, Vista SP1) as the original installation on the Dell laptop. If you know someone that has the proper disc (an OEM or Dell with the correct version) you can use it. But you must have the product key for your laptop to type in during the installation, or the installation will fail.

If you don't have the product key, then your only option is to get it and the Recovery disc from Dell.

Or install Linux ;)

Answer 3

Question is, did you try it?



I think you can't use it since the laptop should come with a recovery CD from the company.



Can't you call them and argue with them regarding this issue?



Didn't they give you the recovery CD with the Laptop when you bought it?



If you can, go to the place you bought the laptop from. They might have a better idea or they can do it in there shop with lesser money cost.



Good Luck.

Answer 4

No the recovery disk has the files specific to that that laptop model