OEM licenses & transfering

[mike]

I want to transfer an OEM copy of windows XP to another machine. I've read
lots of people say it's not possible. But I've also read that it is possible
if the machine if moving to is reformatted completely before install? is
this true?

The OEM version I have was purchased with hardware (a mobo etc) and is not a
DELL or Sony etc OEM. Is it possible for me to transfer this license to
another machine. I'm sick of buying copies of windows to be honest. I'll
almost have 10 and don't want to buy anymore.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Sorry, but no OEM version of Windows XP cannot be
transferred to a different computer. Only a "Retail
Version" can be transferred.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I want to transfer an OEM copy of windows XP to another machine. I've read
| lots of people say it's not possible. But I've also read that it is possible
| if the machine if moving to is reformatted completely before install? is
| this true?
|
| The OEM version I have was purchased with hardware (a mobo etc) and is not a
| DELL or Sony etc OEM. Is it possible for me to transfer this license to
| another machine. I'm sick of buying copies of windows to be honest. I'll
| almost have 10 and don't want to buy anymore.

 

[Alias]

You mean "may" not be transferred. If it's been over 120 since the last
activation, the OP *can* transfer the OEM version.

Alias

 

[Alias]

120 days ...

You mean "may" not be transferred. If it's been over 120 since the last
activation, the OP *can* transfer the OEM version.

Alias

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

No it cannot be transferred, regardless of the time period.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| You mean "may" not be transferred. If it's been over 120 since the last
| activation, the OP *can* transfer the OEM version.
|
| Alias

 

[Alias]

Not true. It is true that it would be against the EULA but it will activate
if more than 120 days have passed since the last activation.

Alias

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Not anymore since Microsoft made a change to the activation servers
a couple of weeks ago regarding OEM versions.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Not true. It is true that it would be against the EULA but it will activate
| if more than 120 days have passed since the last activation.
|
| Alias

 

[Alias]

Wrong again, my, my, my. That was, although I believe MS backed off that
one, for OEMs that come bundled with Dells, HPs, etc., not an individual
OEM.

See http://www.dvd-recordable.org/Article1873.phtml

or this:

http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/648/microsoft_disables_internet

or this:

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+disable+product+activation+over+Net/2100-1011_3-5589504.html

for confirmation or do a search on Google News for "OEM activation".

The OP wrote, and I quote:

"The OEM version I have was purchased with hardware (a mobo etc) and is not
a DELL or Sony etc OEM."

Alias

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Your references do not address the fact that an OEM version of
Windows XP cannot be transferred, nor reactivated, on a different
computer. Perhaps you can install an OEM version of XP, wait
120 days, then install the same version on a different PC, then
attempt to activate it. Please report back in, say, 120 days, with
your report.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Wrong again, my, my, my. That was, although I believe MS backed off that
| one, for OEMs that come bundled with Dells, HPs, etc., not an individual
| OEM.
|
| See http://www.dvd-recordable.org/Article1873.phtml
|
| or this:
|
| http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/648/microsoft_disables_internet
|
| or this:
|
| http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+disable+product+activation+over+Net/2100-1011_3-5589504.html
|
| for confirmation or do a search on Google News for "OEM activation".
|
| The OP wrote, and I quote:
|
| "The OEM version I have was purchased with hardware (a mobo etc) and is not
| a DELL or Sony etc OEM."
|
| Alias
|

 

[xfile]

Hi,

I'd like to share something that I've read but sorry that I forgot all
sources, so you may want to double check:

(1) Activation: A recent announcement by MS indicated that future OEM
activations will be directed to OEMs and will not be performed by MS.
However, it is unclear what is "future activation"? Does it mean new or
re-activation? And those OEMs seem to be the large ones, such as IBM, Dell,
and so on. What about the small OEMs, such as a local computer store?

(2) Legal copy: I remember reading an article from somewhere at MS KB about
OEM license. If I remember correctly, it's somewhat different between the
one you purchased from the big OEMs as opposed to the one you bought from a
local computer store that the system is based on the components you
purchased and assembled by the shop. The restriction on the second one
seems to be more loose and flexible than those "systems" purchased from the
big ones and seems to allow to be transferred if the system has been
changed.

Again, that's based on my memory and sorry for I did not keep those sources.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ron Martell]

I want to transfer an OEM copy of windows XP to another machine. I've read
lots of people say it's not possible. But I've also read that it is possible
if the machine if moving to is reformatted completely before install? is
this true?

The OEM version I have was purchased with hardware (a mobo etc) and is not a
DELL or Sony etc OEM. Is it possible for me to transfer this license to
another machine. I'm sick of buying copies of windows to be honest. I'll
almost have 10 and don't want to buy anymore.

The End User License Agreement for OEM versions of Windows permanently
locks that license to the first computer that it is installed on.
Once installed the computer and the Windows license become a single
entity for licensing purposes, and the license cannot be legitimately
transferred to another computer.

See the file EULA.TXT in the \Windows\System32 folder of the computer
that the OEM version is currently installed on for the specific
wording of the license for that copy.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I want to transfer an OEM copy of windows XP to another machine. I've
read lots of people say it's not possible. But I've also read that it
is possible if the machine if moving to is reformatted completely
before install? is this true?

The OEM version I have was purchased with hardware (a mobo etc) and
is not a DELL or Sony etc OEM. Is it possible for me to transfer this
license to another machine. I'm sick of buying copies of windows to
be honest. I'll almost have 10 and don't want to buy anymore.

Not and still be in complience with the EULA agreement.
Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Move XP to new hardware.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Alias]

Your references do not address the fact that an OEM version of
Windows XP cannot be transferred, nor reactivated, on a different
computer.

No they address your erroneous post, of course, where you said ALL OEMs
cannot be activated online which, as the references show, is false.

Perhaps you can install an OEM version of XP, wait

120 days, then install the same version on a different PC, then
attempt to activate it. Please report back in, say, 120 days, with
your report.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

No need, I know a lot of people who have done just that. On my own computer,
I replaced the MOBO, CPU, hard drive, upgraded my RAM from 266 to 333,
reinstalled XP Pro and it activated online no problem.

Got any more erroneous information you want to share while you're taking
your foot out of your mouth?

Alias