Reinstall XP Home on Sony?

[Mark \(MCP\)]

I bought a Sony desktop computer about four to five years ago with Windows
XP (no service packs) and now need to reinstall XP Home Edition on the
desktop computer. I have heard from other Sony computer users that if I
reinstall XP Home Edition on the desktop computer using Sony's DVD restore,
that I will need to re-activate XP through Microsoft, which I need to pay
for a reactivation license. This is due that XP's license with Sony or
something like that is not Microsoft's clearinghouse database. To me, this
doesn't make sense as the OEM version ties to the BIOS of the computer.

Is this true?

I haven't needed to reinstall XP on this computer from the time I bought it
until now. Now I am unsure if I should even reinstall XP on the Sony
computer because of Microsoft's OEM XP re-activation fee.

Thanks.

 

[Ron Badour]

I do not believe it is true--I have never heard of a reactivation fee. MS
has no reason that I can think of to treat Sony differently than it does
other OEMs.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

There is no re-activation fee. The DVD should restore your PC back to
factory conditions. I have an E-Machine that came with restore disks. I have
re-installed many time without any problem whatsoever and have never been
asked to re-activate.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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[Alias]

I bought a Sony desktop computer about four to five years ago with Windows
XP (no service packs) and now need to reinstall XP Home Edition on the
desktop computer. I have heard from other Sony computer users that if I
reinstall XP Home Edition on the desktop computer using Sony's DVD restore,
that I will need to re-activate XP through Microsoft, which I need to pay
for a reactivation license. This is due that XP's license with Sony or
something like that is not Microsoft's clearinghouse database. To me, this
doesn't make sense as the OEM version ties to the BIOS of the computer.

Is this true?

I haven't needed to reinstall XP on this computer from the time I bought it
until now. Now I am unsure if I should even reinstall XP on the Sony
computer because of Microsoft's OEM XP re-activation fee.

Thanks.

What you heard is false but it is interesting how Redmond's "anti
piracy" program gives rise to this kind of rumor and, again, only
inconveniences paying customers and doesn't stop piracy in any
significant way.

 

[Mark \(MCP\)]

To All - Thank you.

What you heard is false but it is interesting how Redmond's "anti piracy"
program gives rise to this kind of rumor and, again, only inconveniences
paying customers and doesn't stop piracy in any significant way.

 

[Mark \(MCP\)]

With reinstalling XP on the computer, I know I need to install all updates
through Windows Updates. Unfortunately Microsoft stopped AutoPatcher for
releasing updates through the AutoPatcher method. After one of the .NET
Framework updates stopped allowing other updates to install through Windows
Update, not sure why the .NET Framework update wouldn't install through
Windows Update, I used the AutoPatcher method of installing updates. After
waiting several months to see if the stuck .NET Framework update would
install through Windows Update, this is when I used AutoPatcher.

I surely don't look forward to the hours of downloading and installing
updates on the Sony computer. I'm not sure when I will actually do this
because of the time it takes to reinstall XP along with downloading and
installing the multitude of updates.

I also noticed on all new computers in retail stores that you can only get
Windows Vista (usually Home Premium) pre-installed and no option for XP.
The software that I use is for XP and I don't have the money to invest to
upgrade those programs to Vista versions. Thus I am wanting to stick with
XP for a while still (all of my computers are XP) and no plans to move to
Vista.

To All - Thank you.

 

[Paul Randall]

You might search MSDN and find a downloadable ISO file for WXP SP2. This
ISO is an image of a CD, and you need special software to burn it to CD so
it looks like the original CD. M$ has this iso burning software freely
available for download too. Install your original WXP from the Sony discs,
make sure it runs OK, then install SP2. It saves a bunch of individual
update downloads.

-Paul Randall

With reinstalling XP on the computer, I know I need to install all updates
through Windows Updates. Unfortunately Microsoft stopped AutoPatcher for
releasing updates through the AutoPatcher method. After one of the .NET
Framework updates stopped allowing other updates to install through
Windows Update, not sure why the .NET Framework update wouldn't install
through Windows Update, I used the AutoPatcher method of installing
updates. After waiting several months to see if the stuck .NET Framework
update would install through Windows Update, this is when I used
AutoPatcher.

I surely don't look forward to the hours of downloading and installing
updates on the Sony computer. I'm not sure when I will actually do this
because of the time it takes to reinstall XP along with downloading and
installing the multitude of updates.

I also noticed on all new computers in retail stores that you can only get
Windows Vista (usually Home Premium) pre-installed and no option for XP.
The software that I use is for XP and I don't have the money to invest to
upgrade those programs to Vista versions. Thus I am wanting to stick with
XP for a while still (all of my computers are XP) and no plans to move to
Vista.

 

[Mark \(MCP\)]

I have XP SP2 CD from Microsoft from when they offered it on CD .