can a OEM ver overwrite regular registered non-OEM Win XP

[Randy O.]

I'm building a second computer; so, I will be using my owned and registered
Win XP on it (it is on my old computer now). I want to be legal; I wondered
if when I mount my 'old' home built system except case MB in another case
for emergency replacement, internet, and for games. If I buy a OEM Win XP
version, is there anyway to install it over the other registered version and
still keep all my old programs on the older main hard drive? I want to use
the internet with the second older computer setup, but I don't want MS
knocking on my door with a lawsuit in hand.

Another question---if I bought an OEM version and installed it on a freshly
formatted hard drive, can I still get Windows updates from MS such as hot
fixes for security holes and the SP1, etc.?

Thanks in advance for answering this question.

Sincerely -- Randy O.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I'm building a second computer; so, I will be using my owned and registered
Win XP on it (it is on my old computer now). I want to be legal; I wondered
if when I mount my 'old' home built system except case MB in another case
for emergency replacement, internet, and for games. If I buy a OEM Win XP
version, is there anyway to install it over the other registered version and
still keep all my old programs on the older main hard drive? I want to use
the internet with the second older computer setup, but I don't want MS
knocking on my door with a lawsuit in hand.

The OEM product may only be installed to a clean hard drive.
Since it is designed to be the first install on a bare disk in an OEM
production line

Another question---if I bought an OEM version and installed it on a freshly
formatted hard drive, can I still get Windows updates from MS such as hot
fixes for security holes and the SP1, etc.?.

Yes the OEM products get full access to Windows Update and hotfixes etc,
just no direct support from us, you get that from the OEM.

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

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