Building new computer-can I install XP on new one? Activation?

[Guest]

Here's one for you experts:
We currently have two computers, mine (Dell running XP Pro retail upgrade -
from original OEM WinME); and my son's (Dell running XP Home original OEM
preload). I'm building a new computer for myself and my first question is
can I use my existing Win XP Pro on the new computer without reactivation
issues? The new box will be all new (motherboard, CPU, ram, video) but I'll
use the HD's and optical drives from the old one.

Next, since my son wants my old computer because it has better video than
his small Dell, we plan to pull his HD out of his little Dell and put it in
my old one, then he'd use that one as his.

Then, we'd get a new HD for his little Dell, and give that one to my wife,
using the XP Home that came with that machine--the only new component on that
one would be a new hard drive, so we'll be OK with the OEM license, right?

That leaves us with my son using my old Dell with his HD, and the plan is to
buy a new copy of XP Home OEM for that machine.

So I'll be adding a computer, and I'll be buying a new copy of Win XP, so
that should be OK with the Microsoft folks. But we'll be using the existing
copies of XP on different computers, basically.

Do I understand the XP license agreement correctly that an existing copy of
XP can be used on a new computer as long as the old one is taken out of
service (or a new copy is purchased for it)? I'm a little hazy as to the
best way to proceed. Also, I've heard that in order for an existing copy to
be installed on a new or upgraded computer, I have to call Microsoft to get
approval?

I hope I haven't confused everyone too much, but I thought I'd give this a
shot before I use a phone call to Microsoft. Any suggestions would be
appreciated. Thanks folks!

Don
email: dsamanas(thisgoesaway)@charter.net

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Here's one for you experts:
We currently have two computers, mine (Dell running XP Pro retail upgrade -
from original OEM WinME); and my son's (Dell running XP Home original OEM
preload). I'm building a new computer for myself and my first question is
can I use my existing Win XP Pro on the new computer without reactivation
issues? The new box will be all new (motherboard, CPU, ram, video) but I'll
use the HD's and optical drives from the old one.

Next, since my son wants my old computer because it has better video than
his small Dell, we plan to pull his HD out of his little Dell and put it in
my old one, then he'd use that one as his.

Then, we'd get a new HD for his little Dell, and give that one to my wife,
using the XP Home that came with that machine--the only new component on that
one would be a new hard drive, so we'll be OK with the OEM license, right?

That leaves us with my son using my old Dell with his HD, and the plan is to
buy a new copy of XP Home OEM for that machine.

So I'll be adding a computer, and I'll be buying a new copy of Win XP, so
that should be OK with the Microsoft folks. But we'll be using the existing
copies of XP on different computers, basically.

Do I understand the XP license agreement correctly that an existing copy of
XP can be used on a new computer as long as the old one is taken out of
service (or a new copy is purchased for it)? I'm a little hazy as to the
best way to proceed. Also, I've heard that in order for an existing copy to
be installed on a new or upgraded computer, I have to call Microsoft to get
approval?

I hope I haven't confused everyone too much, but I thought I'd give this a
shot before I use a phone call to Microsoft. Any suggestions would be
appreciated. Thanks folks!

Don
email: dsamanas(thisgoesaway)@charter.net

Your plan has two flaws. When you move a disk with an existing WinXP
installation to a different machine, then
a) WinXP will demand to be re-registered, because it now runs on
different hardware; and
b) The boot process will most likely fail because the drivers are
all wrong. They refer to the old motherboard.

Problem b) is probably the more serious of the two. You will
recognise it straight away: At boot time it says "Inaccessible boot
device", and that's the end of it. With a lot of computer skills
and patience you may be able to solve it - perhaps. A new
installation of WinXP would probably be faster - if Microsoft
come to the party on problem a).

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Don

It would make more sense to get a new OS for your new computer, and then
make whatever changes to the software build of the other two.. changing
drives that have OEM/preinstalled software will be problematic re. both
licensing and getting everything to work..

You might want to consider getting a retail version which can be transferred
from one computer to another..

 

[T. Waters]

Don, in a perfect world, your plan makes perfect sense. However, in the
warped world in which we live, there is the specter of activation, as you
mentioned. Please read this article:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm
This phrase may or may not apply:
"It may not be transferred to a different computer. It is activated as
described above, but if it were installed to hardware seen as not
substantially the same, the activation would be refused as falling outside
the license."
Here are some things to consider:
-Do you have the CD's for ME, the Pro upgrade, and XP Home??
-Are you at all concerned with the fact that what you are attempting is
"technically illegal," though it's not something that could get you in any
kind of legal trouble?
-I suggest you first put the XP from your son's old machine on the new
machine, realizing that there is a slight chance the XP won't activate,
before you start pulling parts.
The activation may go through OK, as Dell supposedly has not been using
proprietary, Dell-only versions of XP. If this does not work, you may need
to rethink your plan.
Feel free to post any other questions.

 

[Jb]

Didn't I read somewhere that Microsoft STOPPED activating Dell OEMs in
March?
Check out Ebay, there are a lot of OS for sale there and lots of warnings
that OEMs can't be activated.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Didn't I read somewhere that Microsoft STOPPED activating Dell OEMs in
March?
Check out Ebay, there are a lot of OS for sale there and lots of warnings
that OEMs can't be activated.

One should be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes
no prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate; they react
only after someone files a complaint. (And then all that really happens
is the seller of the pirated software returns using a different alias,
to continue selling illegitimate licenses.)


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[T. Waters]

Thank you. Timing is everything:
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1769339,00.asp
With the right cock-and-bull story, MS might still issue an override key,
but since OEM XP is $100 or less...

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Here's one for you experts:
We currently have two computers, mine (Dell running XP Pro retail
upgrade - from original OEM WinME); and my son's (Dell running XP
Home original OEM preload). I'm building a new computer for myself
and my first question is can I use my existing Win XP Pro on the new
computer without reactivation issues? The new box will be all new
(motherboard, CPU, ram, video) but I'll use the HD's and optical
drives from the old one.

Next, since my son wants my old computer because it has better video
than his small Dell, we plan to pull his HD out of his little Dell
and put it in my old one, then he'd use that one as his.

Then, we'd get a new HD for his little Dell, and give that one to my
wife, using the XP Home that came with that machine--the only new
component on that one would be a new hard drive, so we'll be OK with
the OEM license, right?

That leaves us with my son using my old Dell with his HD, and the
plan is to buy a new copy of XP Home OEM for that machine.

So I'll be adding a computer, and I'll be buying a new copy of Win
XP, so that should be OK with the Microsoft folks. But we'll be
using the existing copies of XP on different computers, basically.

Do I understand the XP license agreement correctly that an existing
copy of XP can be used on a new computer as long as the old one is
taken out of service (or a new copy is purchased for it)? I'm a
little hazy as to the best way to proceed. Also, I've heard that in
order for an existing copy to be installed on a new or upgraded
computer, I have to call Microsoft to get approval?

I hope I haven't confused everyone too much, but I thought I'd give
this a shot before I use a phone call to Microsoft. Any suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks folks!

Don
email: dsamanas(thisgoesaway)@charter.net

You should do a Repair Install on the first boot after moving the hard
drives to the new computers. Technically, you will not be in compliance with
the system upgraded from OEM Me, but it likely will activate over the
internet. You should run F.A.S.T on the old system and save the F.A.S.T
file to external media before moving the hard drive as a precaution if it
doesn't. The F.A.S.T files will allow you to do a Clean install to bring
the computer into EULA compliance with little pain and loss of settings and
data.
The HD your son will move and you plan to purchase a new OEM XP will also
need to run a repair install where you can use the new OEM Product Key and
internet activation should be offered. This computer will be in EULA
compliance.
The wife's system will also need a new OEM license to be OEM EULA compliant.
I may have lost the exact changes, but the OEM license cannot be moved from
one system to another. The OEM license after it is installed to the original
computer cannot be moved to another computer and be in compliance with the
OEM EULA and activation by phone will probably be required.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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