MOVE XP Pro from old PC to newer PC

[becface]

Hi, I'm sorry if this is a repeated question but my searches so far
have not resulted in much.

We have an old PC (only 5Gig HD!) running a licensed version of XP Pro.
We also have a more loaded PC running Win98. We want to scrap the old
PC and just use it for parts. We'd totally erase the HD (we're required
to). Since we have paid for XP Pro I would like to move it, legally, to
the better PC. Can anyone tell me what information I will need, if any,
from the old PC before I take this step?

Thank you in advance for any advice. I'd hate to erase the drive only
to find out later it contained info I need to move XP.

Thanks,
R

 

[--Alias--]

Hi, I'm sorry if this is a repeated question but my searches so far
have not resulted in much.

We have an old PC (only 5Gig HD!) running a licensed version of XP Pro.
We also have a more loaded PC running Win98. We want to scrap the old
PC and just use it for parts. We'd totally erase the HD (we're required
to). Since we have paid for XP Pro I would like to move it, legally, to
the better PC. Can anyone tell me what information I will need, if any,
from the old PC before I take this step?

Thank you in advance for any advice. I'd hate to erase the drive only
to find out later it contained info I need to move XP.

Thanks,
R

Not enough details:

1. Did XP come preinstalled on the old PC?

2. Is the version of XP OEM or retail? If OEM, generic or branded?

3. Do you have the XP CD?

Alias

 

[Bob I]

Retail versions can simply be removed from one PC to be installed on
another, just make sure you have a copy the key to install before you
flush the old HD. (because if you can't find the written copy you can
retrieve it with a keyfinder software)

 

[JS]

Here are two utilities which will display your Windows product key:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml
and: http://www.nirsoft.net

Write the key codes on paper before you wipe your hard drive.

JS

 

[Tim Slattery]

Hi, I'm sorry if this is a repeated question but my searches so far
have not resulted in much.

We have an old PC (only 5Gig HD!) running a licensed version of XP Pro.
We also have a more loaded PC running Win98. We want to scrap the old
PC and just use it for parts. We'd totally erase the HD (we're required
to). Since we have paid for XP Pro I would like to move it, legally, to
the better PC. Can anyone tell me what information I will need, if any,
from the old PC before I take this step?

It depends. If it's an OEM version of XP Pro, it cannot be moved. OEM
versions are licensed only for the first machine they're installed on.
They cannot be installed on another machine, even if the first one
ceases to exist.

If it's a retail version, just use the CD to install it on the new
machine (and stop using the old one, of course).

 

[--Alias--]

It depends. If it's an OEM version of XP Pro, it cannot be moved.

If it's a generic OEM, it can be moved but MS won't like it and it goes
against the EULA. Nonetheless, technically it can be done.

Alias
OEM

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi, I'm sorry if this is a repeated question but my searches so far
have not resulted in much.

We have an old PC (only 5Gig HD!) running a licensed version of XP Pro.
We also have a more loaded PC running Win98. We want to scrap the old
PC and just use it for parts. We'd totally erase the HD (we're required
to). Since we have paid for XP Pro I would like to move it, legally, to
the better PC. Can anyone tell me what information I will need, if any,
from the old PC before I take this step?

Nothing special.

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, the 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.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

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[becface]

Thank you soooo much for your advice. I guess we're just out of luck
b/c it came with the PC and we don't wish to do anything illegally.

We're off to go shopping. Thanks again.

R