New Install of OEM WinXP

[Duncs]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a new PC
soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new components rather
than using any old ones, or going for a shop-built one.

My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it with my last
PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it onto my new one? The
primary hard-disk for my current PC will be utilised as a secondary,
data-backup drive on my new PC, but I understand that when registered, the
OEM version is registered against the specific configuration of the PC. Is
this the case, and if so, is there anyway that I can re-install it on my new
PC? Or, do I need to add more money to Bill's coffers?

Many thanks

Duncs

 

[David B.]

Is this a brand name PC or a custom build that included the XP install CD?
Per the EULA you cannot transfer OEM from one computer to another, if the
old PC is an HP, Dell etc, it's not likely you'll even be able to install
using the disks that came with it. If you have an actual Microsoft OEM CD,
you will be able to install it and activate it, but it is a violation of the
EULA.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a
new PC soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new
components rather than using any old ones, or going for a
shop-built one.
My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it
with my last PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it
onto my new one? The primary hard-disk for my current PC will be
utilised as a secondary, data-backup drive on my new PC, but I
understand that when registered, the OEM version is registered
against the specific configuration of the PC. Is this the case,
and if so, is there anyway that I can re-install it on my new PC? Or, do I
need to add more money to Bill's coffers?

Since you opted for an OEM licensing scheme - in strict accordance with the
OEM license terms (EULA - End User License Agreement) that copy of Windows
XP is forever tied to the original machine you installed it upon. It cannot
be transferred. If the original machine was to burn up in a fire leaving
only the CD and the product key and your proof of purchase - in the
strictest sense (in accordance with the EULA) - you might as well destroy
what wasn't destroyed originally.

A retail licensed copy of the OS does not have this (and other) limitations.

Technically - it may work fine.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a new PC
soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new components rather
than using any old ones, or going for a shop-built one.

My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it with my last
PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it onto my new one?

No. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM copy of Windows 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.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a new PC
soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new components rather
than using any old ones, or going for a shop-built one.

My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it with my last
PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it onto my new one?

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.



--

Bruce Chambers

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[Lil' Dave]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a new PC
soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new components rather
than using any old ones, or going for a shop-built one.

My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it with my
last PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it onto my new one?
The primary hard-disk for my current PC will be utilised as a secondary,
data-backup drive on my new PC, but I understand that when registered, the
OEM version is registered against the specific configuration of the PC.
Is this the case, and if so, is there anyway that I can re-install it on
my new PC? Or, do I need to add more money to Bill's coffers?

Many thanks

Duncs

If a typical OEM version, the kind that comes installed on a PC that's
manufactured, it may be bios locked. If not, may prep for hardware your new
PC does not have. Won't work.

Generic OEM is different. May work. Recommend not putting in the hard
drive from your old PC until after the installation is complete, and, you
have successfully activated the installation.

The crux of the matter between generic OEM and retail is the definiion of a
PC regarding licensing. Both are subject to one installation on one PC at
any given time. Generic is limited to installation to one PC, no further
installations. Retail, further installations allowed on subsequent PCs
Irregardless, MS will only allow one installation per MS
activation/verification. If another installation is detected on another
physical PC, the newer installation may fail activation. If 120 days have
expired since initial activation, a new installation may be no problem (as
long as the former installation is not detected again on first PC).
Dave

 

[vernon]

Is this a brand name PC or a custom build that included the XP install CD?
Per the EULA you cannot transfer OEM from one computer to another, if the
old PC is an HP, Dell etc, it's not likely you'll even be able to install
using the disks that came with it. If you have an actual Microsoft OEM CD,
you will be able to install it and activate it, but it is a violation of
the EULA.

Who said transfer?

 

[vernon]

No. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM copy of Windows 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.

What if the "first" comuter is just a vanilla Compact with destroyed XP?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a
new PC soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new
components rather than using any old ones, or going for a
shop-built one.
My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it
with my last PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it
onto my new one? The primary hard-disk for my current PC will be
utilised as a secondary, data-backup drive on my new PC, but I
understand that when registered, the OEM version is registered
against the specific configuration of the PC. Is this the case,
and if so, is there anyway that I can re-install it on my new PC? Or, do I
need to add more money to Bill's coffers?

No. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM copy of Windows 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.

What if the "first" comuter is just a vanilla Compact with
destroyed XP?

Doesn't matter what is wrong with the original computer. Since the OP
specified they had an OEM licensed copy of Windows XP and they admittedly
are building a whole new computer - using NONE of the older components...

In strict accordance with the OEM license terms (EULA - End User License
Agreement) that copy of Windows XP is forever tied to the original machine
installed upon. It cannot be transferred/used on another machine. If the
original machine was to burn up in a fire leaving only the CD and the
product key and the proof of purchase - in the strictest sense (in
accordance with the EULA) - you might as well destroy what wasn't destroyed
originally.

A retail licensed copy of the OS does not have this (and other) limitations.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a PC with an OEM copy of WinXP Pro, and I will be buying a
new PC soon. I'm building my own, so I will be utilising new
components rather than using any old ones, or going for a
shop-built one.
My question relates to my current copy of WinXP. I received it
with my last PC, and I am wondering if I will be able to load it
onto my new one? The primary hard-disk for my current PC will be
utilised as a secondary, data-backup drive on my new PC, but I
understand that when registered, the OEM version is registered
against the specific configuration of the PC. Is this the case,
and if so, is there anyway that I can re-install it on my new PC? Or, do I
need to add more money to Bill's coffers?

Is this a brand name PC or a custom build that included the XP
install CD? Per the EULA you cannot transfer OEM from one computer
to another, if the old PC is an HP, Dell etc, it's not likely
you'll even be able to install using the disks that came with it.
If you have an actual Microsoft OEM CD, you will be able to
install it and activate it, but it is a violation of the EULA.

Who said transfer?

The OP implied a transfer of the OS/license from the old computer to the new
computer. The license is tied to the original installation in accordance
with the EULA. In order to utilize it on another machine - you would be
installing it onto that new machine or *transferring* the license from one
machine to another. http://m-w.com/dictionary/transfer

 

[Duncs]

Perhaps I should clear some things up.

I had a PC that had Win98 installed on it. Then, as part of an upgrade, I
bought a bigger hard disk, that came bundled with a copper-coloured WinXP
Pro CD.

When I installed the new hard disk, I installed the copy of WinXP.

Now, I want to build a new PC, and use the old hard disk as a data backup
drive.

So, as I will still be using the hard disk that the WinXP CD came with, can
I still use the OEM copy of WinXP?

Rgds

Duncs

 

[Alias]

Perhaps I should clear some things up.

I had a PC that had Win98 installed on it. Then, as part of an upgrade, I
bought a bigger hard disk, that came bundled with a copper-coloured WinXP
Pro CD.

When I installed the new hard disk, I installed the copy of WinXP.

Now, I want to build a new PC, and use the old hard disk as a data backup
drive.

So, as I will still be using the hard disk that the WinXP CD came with, can
I still use the OEM copy of WinXP?

Rgds

Duncs

YES. If it's been over 120 days since the last activation, you will
activate on line no problem. If not, you'll have to use phone
activation. Just tell them you replaced the hard drive (not that you
have to give them *any* information other than the long number that
appears when you choose phone activation).

Alias

 

[HeyBub]

What if the "first" comuter is just a vanilla Compact with destroyed
XP?

Then the OEM license is destroyed with it.

Like license plates on a totaled vehicle - the plates cannot legally be
moved to another car.

 

[David B.]

The OP did, try reading the post.

 

[David B.]

The answer is the same, if it is OEM then per the EULA you cannot transfer
the license to another PC, has nothing to do with the hard drive or how you
got the license, but as I said, if you have no problem ignoring the EULA it
will work.

 

[David B.]

XP phone activation no longer requires talking to an actual person, it's all
automated now.

 

[Alias]

XP phone activation no longer requires talking to an actual person, it's
all automated now.

And you can't hold on and get a real person anymore?

Alias

 

[David B.]

Don't need to, it asks you questions about first time install, only on 1 PC,
etc, as long as you answer "correctly" it gets you activated.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

What if the "first" comuter is just a vanilla Compact with destroyed XP?

Doesn't matter.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Perhaps I should clear some things up.

I had a PC that had Win98 installed on it. Then, as part of an upgrade, I
bought a bigger hard disk, that came bundled with a copper-coloured WinXP
Pro CD.

When I installed the new hard disk, I installed the copy of WinXP.

Now, I want to build a new PC, and use the old hard disk as a data backup
drive.

So, as I will still be using the hard disk that the WinXP CD came with, can
I still use the OEM copy of WinXP?

No. As several of us has told you, your OEM license is tied to the
first computer that XP is installed on, not to the hard drive.

Similarly, if you were keeping the computer, but replacing the hard
drive, you *could* continue to use the same OEM copy of Windows.