License question

[Denis]

Hi all,

I am having problems finding help on MS site regarding a
license question. I am getting a new laptop soon and want
to have Windows 2000 on it. I am told Windows 2000 is no
longer available and I have to go with XP --- which I
really do not want to do. Can I purchase the Windows XP
and install Windows 2000 on the laptop legally? If I can,
does it matter if I buy the XP Home or Pro?

Thanks,
Denis

 

[Cody]

If you have a legal Windows 2000, all you have to do is reformat the hard
drive and install it along with all the Win 2k drivers for everything on
your computer. You might want to download the drivers first.

Cody

"Denis" wrote

 

[Denis]

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I am keeping the old
computer also. Therefore, I want 2 computers with Windows
2000.

Thanks
Denis

 

[Ray at]

You can still purchase licenses for W2K. I don't know where one sends the
check if you don't go to store and buy the actual media though... Perhaps
browse around here
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/howtobuy/purchasing/default.asp

Ray at work

 

[Sparker9]

I've seen this question posted before, but I never read any concrete answers to this scenario.

It seems to me that Microsoft would not allow this due to the various conditions of the Retail and OEM licenses and the lack of control over which is installed. The issue of the free technical support period also comes to mind.

I think your main concern would be the impact of such a conversion on the warranty of the laptop. It may void the manufacturer's warranty.

If your dislike of Windows XP is due to its default interface, be advised that this can be easily changed to the "classic" windows interface that has the look and feel of Windows 2000.

You can also disable the System Restore feature, if it's not to your liking.

Making these simple changes to the OS will not impact your laptop's warranty.

And I doubt that you'll be making any changes to the system that will require any product reactivation.

Just my two cents...

 

[dcdon]

Cody,
You can buy "just a license" on Ebay lowest.

good luck,
don
------

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. I am keeping the old
computer also. Therefore, I want 2 computers with Windows
2000.

Thanks
Denis

It's not legal ... unless you buy another Windows 2000. Microsoft's policy
is one OS per computer.

Now, that doesn't mean that it can't be done; it just isn't legal to do it.

Cody

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Whomever told you Win2K is "no longer available" lied to you. It
may be that the one vendor refuses to provide Win2K, but others
certainly do. We get new desktops and laptops delivered every day
with Win2K.

To answer your specific question:

System licenses acquired via the OEM channel follow rights granted
in the OEM license. PCs licensed for Windows XP Professional OEM are
licensed to use identified previous versions of Windows Operating
System Product(s) in lieu of Windows XP Professional (Microsoft®
Windows® 2000 Professional, Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0 or Microsoft®
Windows® 98 (Second Edition).

Microsoft Downgrading Chart
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/downloads/downgrade_chart.doc

As you can see, a WinXP Pro license can be downgraded to a Win2K
Pro license. WinXP Home, however, has no downgrade licensing.


Bruce Chambers

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