installing oem xphome again

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Generally, only OEM product sold with a computer a BIOS locked. If you
purchased this from another individual instead of at a reputable retailer,
there's always the possibility the individual sold a BIOS locked version.
How can you tell? It won't install because it won't recognize the system.
Also, BIOS locked versions tend to come on a disk that includes the name of
the manufacturer such as HP, Dell, etc.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

ermmm excuse me everyone I'm still in need of an answer here
about the
original question with an OEM product that has already been
activated
once, is it now useless on another machine? despite me throwing
the
old machine away

Unfortunately, yes. The OEM version is cheaper than the retail
version, and this is one of the main reasons why. It comes with a
much more restrictive license.

 

[Jim Nugent]

ermmm excuse me everyone I'm still in need of an answer here about the
original question with an OEM product that has already been activated once,
is it now useless on another machine? despite me throwing the old machine
away

IIRC you bought the OS with a new hard drive, right? and you're keeping the
hard drive, right? That sounds technically legal since the OS is staying
with the drive (although you'll probably need to re-install).

But if you "upgrade" the entire computer around the drive, what happens if
the drive fails and the rest of the computer is still usable? I don't know
if your OEM license evaporates at that point.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

A little while ago I wanted to upgrade an old computer I have so I purchased
a new hard drive and bought oem xp home and installed them both. As this is
an old athlon I now have decided that I will build myself a new computer
with new componants but I will use my old hard drive. Can I still use the
oem xp I bought as I will still be using it on 1 machine. I have the
original disk, certificate of authenticity/product key but it has already
been activated on the old machine.
thanks zel

An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_
bound to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once
installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under _any_
circumstances.

--

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

IIRC you bought the OS with a new hard drive, right? and you're keeping the
hard drive, right? That sounds technically legal since the OS is staying
with the drive (although you'll probably need to re-install).

No, that's not correct. While the OEM license can be purchased with a
computer component, it becomes _permanently_ bound to the first computer
in which that component and license is installed. This is stated
clearly in the OEM EULA. The subsequent removal of the qualifying
component has no bearing on the matter.

But if you "upgrade" the entire computer around the drive, what happens if
the drive fails and the rest of the computer is still usable? I don't know
if your OEM license evaporates at that point.

Precisely the "Catch-22" of your theory. This is why the license
becomes bound to the computer, not the component.


--

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

 

[Harry Ohrn]

The answer to your question, as it pertains to an OEM version of Windows XP,
is yes. Once installed it is forever tied to that system even if you scrap
it. This is one reason why OEM versions are so much cheaper than retail
versions.

 

[Jim Nugent]

Precisely the "Catch-22" of your theory. This is why the license
becomes bound to the computer, not the component.

Thanks, Bruce. After posting that, I got to the EULA clarification you
posted, and concluded the same thing. I guess the good news is that the
license jumps to the computer so it is NOT so fragile as if it were tied to
the HDD; the BAD news for the OP is the same thing.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks, Bruce. After posting that, I got to the EULA clarification you
posted, and concluded the same thing. I guess the good news is that the
license jumps to the computer so it is NOT so fragile as if it were tied to
the HDD; the BAD news for the OP is the same thing.

For the OP, yes, it amounts to bad news. This is not necessarily the
case, however, for those who build their own PCs and then subsequently
upgrade them, one piece at a time for the next several years. In this
case, an OEM license can offer a substantial reduction in the initial
outlay.

According to the EULA, an OEM license may not be transferred from
one distinct PC to another PC. However, this most emphatically does not
prohibit one from repairing or upgrading the PC on which an OEM license
is installed.

Now, some people believe that the motherboard is the key component
that defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA does not make any
such distinction. Others have said that one could successfully argue
that it's the PC's case that is the deciding component, as that is where
one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key. Again, the
EULA does not specifically define any single component as the computer.

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ publicly to define
when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original
computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to this
definition (in a public forum) is to tell the person making the inquiry
to consult the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is
solely the responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine
what sort of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support
agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded
computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM
EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer. If you've
built the system yourself, and used a generic OEM CD, then _you_ are the
"OEM," and _you_ get to decide when you'll no longer support your product."

--

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