How can I transfer Windows XP to a new computer?

[Ken Varn]

My PC at home has just died. I want to purchase a new barebones PC and
install my purchased copy of XP on the new PC. I also want to do this for
my purchased copy of Office XP. Does Microsoft have a policy regarding
Product Activation that allows someone to transfer a copy of XP to another
computer? If so, what is the process that I have to go through?


--
-----------------------------------
Ken Varn
Senior Software Engineer
Diebold Inc.

EmailID = varnk
Domain = Diebold.com
-----------------------------------

 

[Gordon]

My PC at home has just died. I want to purchase a new barebones PC
and install my purchased copy of XP on the new PC. I also want to do
this for my purchased copy of Office XP. Does Microsoft have a
policy regarding Product Activation that allows someone to transfer a
copy of XP to another computer? If so, what is the process that I
have to go through?

Depends on what version your copy of XP is. If it's a retail copy, then just
install it on your new machine. If you can, remove it from the old first.
Then just activate in the norml manner. If it's more than 120 days since you
last activated, it should go through without any problems.
If however your copy is an OEM copy, then it is tied to your old machine in
eternity and cannot be installed on another. You will have to "obtain"
another copy in this case.

HTH

 

[The Grey One]

My PC at home has just died. I want to purchase a new barebones PC and
install my purchased copy of XP on the new PC. I also want to do this for
my purchased copy of Office XP. Does Microsoft have a policy regarding
Product Activation that allows someone to transfer a copy of XP to another
computer? If so, what is the process that I have to go through?


--

Following Gordon's advice you may also have to phone Microsoft and explain
your situation and they will re-activate your product key number. A friend
of mine had to do this with no problems from Microsoft.

 

[Alias]

Depends on what version your copy of XP is. If it's a retail copy, then
just
install it on your new machine. If you can, remove it from the old first.

What for? Why would the OP want to waste his time doing that?

Then just activate in the norml manner. If it's more than 120 days since
you
last activated, it should go through without any problems.

Why should a retail version cause problems?

If however your copy is an OEM copy, then it is tied to your old machine
in
eternity and cannot be installed on another. You will have to "obtain"
another copy in this case.

HTH

Not true. If it's been over 120 days, the OEM will activate nicely on the
new PC. If you want to be in compliance, make sure that some hardware from
your old machine (say, the case or floppy drive) is put on the new PC and
then you can call the new one an upgrade to the old one.

Alias

 

[Gordon]

Following Gordon's advice you may also have to phone Microsoft

generally not if it's more than 120 days after the previous activation - I
believe that MS clear out the files every 120 days!

 

[Alias]

generally not if it's more than 120 days after the previous activation - I
believe that MS clear out the files every 120 days!

Not after the previous activation but after the last hardware change that's
on MS' Ten Most Wanted Hardware point system list.

Alias

 

[Rock]

My PC at home has just died. I want to purchase a new barebones PC and
install my purchased copy of XP on the new PC. I also want to do this for
my purchased copy of Office XP. Does Microsoft have a policy regarding
Product Activation that allows someone to transfer a copy of XP to another
computer? If so, what is the process that I have to go through?

For XP if it's a retail version it can be moved to the new machine no
problem. For OEM's the EULA states it's tied to the first machine on
which it is installed and can't be moved to a new one.

 

[Jone Doe]

OK, since you said 'purchased copy' I will assume it's a retail version, not
something that came installed. Pop in the CD and follow instructions. It
may do fine and validate without a problem, or you may have to call a toll
free number. Just explain the computer died and you are putting it on a new
computer. As long as you aren't running it on more than one machine, it
should be no problem.

You do have the 25 digit number on a sticker somewhere don't you? You will
need it.

 

[Ken Varn]

Thanks for the info.

Both Windows XP and Office XP are not OEM versions.

I actually was thinking about just popping the old hard drive out of my old
system and putting it in my new system. The hard drive is fine. The
motherboard and case are primarily what I will be replacing. I just wasn't
sure how much scrutiny Windows XP uses when detecting hardware changes for
product activation.

--
-----------------------------------
Ken Varn
Senior Software Engineer
Diebold Inc.

EmailID = varnk
Domain = Diebold.com
-----------------------------------

 

[HeyBub]

What for? Why would the OP want to waste his time doing that?

Uh, because that's the legal requirement.

Not true. If it's been over 120 days, the OEM will activate nicely on
the new PC.

If you want to be in compliance, make sure that some
hardware from your old machine (say, the case or floppy drive) is put
on the new PC and then you can call the new one an upgrade to the old
one.

What for? Why would the OP want to waste his time doing that?

 

[Alias]

For XP if it's a retail version it can be moved to the new machine no
problem. For OEM's the EULA states it's tied to the first machine on
which it is installed and can't be moved to a new one.

Ah, but it doesn't say what constitutes a "new machine" so if the OP were to
change all his hardware except his floppy or case, for example, it would not
constitute a "new machine".

Alias

 

[Alias]

Uh, because that's the legal requirement.

Um, no it isn't. It's the EULA requirement, MS' rules, not law.

What for? Why would the OP want to waste his time doing that?

As the OP has pointed out, all he is buying is a new motherboard and case.

Alias

 

[Winux P]

Answer to your first question is yes, but that's only a Microsoft policy.
Second question, the usual activation process. Ken you shouldn't have to pay
twice for WinXP (nor office for that matter). Use your existing software to
install on your new hardware. If you have to get activated over the phone
and your WinXP (and office) are OEM versions, the only thing the MS PA
Person needs to know is that you had to re-install windows for any reason
you choose. Like, I had to cause of a virus, or my system need a rebuild, or
I just felt like it. That bypasses any "policy regarding .....
transfer....". I don't know about the workings of BIOS locked OEMs, I can
say for generic or retail versions you should have no problems. Don't let
anyone in this group (The MS-SS) tell you that you need to purchase another
copy based on some flimsy, so called agreement. There's nothing to worry
about, it your Windows XP.

- Winux P

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks for the info.

Both Windows XP and Office XP are not OEM versions.

I actually was thinking about just popping the old hard drive out of my old
system and putting it in my new system. The hard drive is fine. The
motherboard and case are primarily what I will be replacing. I just wasn't
sure how much scrutiny Windows XP uses when detecting hardware changes for
product activation.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM installations are
BIOS-locked to a specific chipset and therefore not transferable to a
new motherboard - check yours before starting), unless the new
motherboard is virtually identical (same chipset, same IDE controllers,
same BIOS version, etc.) to the one on which the WinXP installation was
originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place
upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point.
You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If
you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a
Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style
foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it,
is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any
old hardware configuration you throw at it. On installation it
"tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This is one of the
reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable
than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more than
120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Lil' Dave]

First things I would do is backup all your Outlook setting to the pst file,
save all the docs, xls, and ppts all to CDR or CDRW. Do this irregardless
what method you decide on the new motherboard install of XP.

Although not as much as a problem as it has been, moving a hard drive from
one motherboard to another can have minor or major read problems of the
partition and filesystem. Therefore, I continue to recommend making all new
partition(s) NTFS and formatting new while connected to the new motherboard,
followed by a new XP install.

A repair XP install may work on the new motherboard without resorting to
creating new partition(s) and formatting. The result may be iffy if the
original filesystem is a little off.

Don't forget to install the motherboard's drivers. These should be on CD
accompanied by the motherboard. Might as well check the motherboard maker's
website for anything new now, and burn that to CD as well. Get the MS XP
SP2 CD first too. Then, make your move.