Moving OEM XP

[Avi Greenbury]

I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
next few weeks.

Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
onto the desktop? I know it's technically possible.

 

[Xandros]

No. Legally OEM versions are tied forever to the first system they are
installed on. If you remove it from the laptop you need to store it's
restore discs until such time that you sell or otherwise transfer the laptop
then they go with it.

 

[Alias]

I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
next few weeks.

Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
onto the desktop? I know it's technically possible.

If it's a branded copy of an OEM XP, technically, it won't work because
it's tied to the lap top. If it's a generic OEM XP, you can do it but
Microsoft won't like it and you'll be committing a civil offense by
going against the EULA. Of course, being as the EULA is unconscionable,
Microsoft hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to court so nothing will
probably happen if you use the generic OEM XP on your desktop.

Alias

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
next few weeks.

Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
onto the desktop?

No. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM version (which is what you have
if it came with the computer) is that its license ties it permanently
to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved
to another computer, sold, or given away (except with the original
computer).

I know it's technically possible.

It very likely is not even possible. Most OEM copies of Windows these
days are BIOS-locked to the motherboard of the computer they came
with, and won't install on another, unless its identical to the
original.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The OP asked if he could move it legally. He cannot.

 

[John]

I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
next few weeks.

OEM license lives and dies with the PC/laptop.

Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
onto the desktop?

It's not transferable

I know it's technically possible.

It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk to
work only on their products.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It IS technically possible unless the OEM installation of Windows used SLA
technology (bios locking). In that case the (SLA) OEM cd cannot be used to
install Windows on a different machine. System Builder OEM cds (like the
ones you buy on NewEgg) are OEM cds that WILL install on any computer, not
just the one it was used on originally.

 

[Avi Greenbury]

It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk
to work only on their products.

I've done it already.

FWIW, I've not yet found a PC on which a Dell setup disk wont work.

 

[John]

I've done it already.

FWIW, I've not yet found a PC on which a Dell setup disk wont work.

Dell normally locks their setup CD to work on their system. I don't know why
yours isn't. Ok so it's technically doable.

 

[Ghostrider]

Dell normally locks their setup CD to work on their system. I don't know why
yours isn't. Ok so it's technically doable.

IIRC, bios-locking of Dell OEM Windows XP cdrom's started only with
Windows XP-SP2 discs.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
next few weeks.

Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
onto the desktop?

No. By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP MCE
that came with the Dell. 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.

You'll have to purchase a new WinXP license to go with the new
computer.

I know it's technically possible.

Actually, it's probably *not* technically possible, in your case. You
most likely have a BIOS-locked OEM Recovery CD that is specifically
designed to install only on the hardware with which it was purchased.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[John]

IIRC, bios-locking of Dell OEM Windows XP cdrom's started only with
Windows XP-SP2 discs.

I tried their Win98 setup CD in the early 2000. Can't use it on non Dell
machines.

 

[Alias]

The OP asked if he could move it legally. He cannot.

Um, if and when MS grows the balls to take a private user to court for
not following the unconscionable EULA, we will know if it is legal or
not. As that's not likely to happen, *anyone* can violate the EULA to
their heart's content and Microsoft won't do squat.

Now put that in your fanboy pipe and smoke it!

Alias

 

[Alias]

I've done it already.

Then what are you worried about? Microsoft isn't going to do anything
because they don't have the balls to take you to court as they know
their unconscionable EULA will be thrown right out of court. They use
FUD instead and all the fan boys and girls eat it right up like it's the
law when it isn't and never will be.

Alias

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Complying with the EULA is not being a fan.

Um, if and when MS grows the balls to take a private user to court for not
following the unconscionable EULA, we will know if it is legal or not. As
that's not likely to happen, *anyone* can violate the EULA to their
heart's content and Microsoft won't do squat.

Now put that in your fanboy pipe and smoke it!

Alias

 

[Alias]

Complying with the EULA is not being a fan.

What would you call it? Stupidity?

Alias

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I'd call it keeping the agreement that I agreed to when I elected to use the
software.

 

[Alias]

I'd call it keeping the agreement that I agreed to when I elected to use
the software.

Kinda fanboyish, wouldn't you say? Agreeing to an unconscionable EULA is
what, complicity?

Alias

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If it is unconscionable for you, don't use the software.

Trying to marginalize me with derogatory labels does not legitimize your own
views one bit. It is your right to not be a person of good character in
this matter if you so choose, but characterizing others negatively does not
improve the character of one's own decisions at all. Encouraging others to
not show good character in the matter does not lessen your own
responsibility either.

If you have a beef with MS about the EULA take it up with MS, not me.

 

[PD43]

If you have a beef with MS about the EULA take it up with MS, not me.

You would do well to killfile "Alias".

He/she never passes up a chance to bash MS.