Transfer of XP Pro to new computer

[Guest]

Can I do the above? My XP Pro came with the old computer, which has broken
motherboard or processer so would like to transfer to new laptop. The firm
which built my old computer has dissappeared. The sticker on the side has
product key: , microsoft cert of authenticity, and so on. It has been
activated.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You cannot transfer an OEM version of Windows XP
to a different computer. Only a "Retail Version" may
be transferred. You'll need to purchase a new copy of
Windows XP for installation on your new computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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| Can I do the above? My XP Pro came with the old computer, which has broken
| motherboard or processer so would like to transfer to new laptop. The firm
| which built my old computer has dissappeared. The sticker on the side has
| product key: , microsoft cert of authenticity, and so on. It has been
| activated.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Can I do the above? My XP Pro came with the old computer, which has
broken motherboard or processer so would like to transfer to new
laptop. The firm which built my old computer has dissappeared. The
sticker on the side has product key: , microsoft cert of
authenticity, and so on. It has been activated.

If it's OEM, you can't legally use it on different hardware. That said - it
might work. Can't say. You aren't allowed to do it -

 

[Alias]

Can I do the above? My XP Pro came with the old computer, which has broken
motherboard or processer so would like to transfer to new laptop. The firm
which built my old computer has dissappeared. The sticker on the side has
product key: , microsoft cert of authenticity, and so on. It has been
activated.

If the XP Pro is a generic OEM, not an OEM that is tied to the first
motherboard, you have the CD and it's been over 120 days since any
hardware change on the first computer, you should have no problems using
it on the second computer.

Alias

 

[Alias]

You cannot transfer an OEM version of Windows XP
to a different computer. Only a "Retail Version" may
be transferred. You'll need to purchase a new copy of
Windows XP for installation on your new computer.

If it's been over 120 days since any hardware change and the OEM is
generic, he sure can move it to another computer. Now whether MS or you
like that or not is a different matter.

Alias

 

[Guest]

OK, thanks. I guess the moral of the story is buy the retail version. mmm

 

[Tom]

If it's OEM, you can't legally use it on different hardware. That said -
it
might work. Can't say. You aren't allowed to do it -

Since you infer the word "legally", I'd say you're wrong, since a court of
law has never enforced as "legal" as the wording of the EULA on the behalf
of the software maker. The EULA on Windows is not a law unto itself.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Can I do the above? My XP Pro came with the old computer, which has broken
motherboard or processer so would like to transfer to new laptop. The firm
which built my old computer has dissappeared. The sticker on the side has
product key: , microsoft cert of authenticity, and so on. It has been
activated.

By your own admission, you'll have an OEM license for WinXP on the
new computer. An OEM version must be sold with a non-peripheral 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 need to purchase a new WinXP license for the new computer.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Since you infer the word "legally", I'd say you're wrong, since a court of
law has never enforced as "legal" as the wording of the EULA on the behalf
of the software maker.

That's untrue. A federal court determined, way back in 1996, that
software EULAs are legally binding and enforceable contracts under the
Uniform Commercial Code. That decision still stands.

The EULA on Windows is not a law unto itself.

And no one has ever claimed that it was. Where do people get this
silly idea? I guess they feel safe stating the obvious, even if the
statement isn't at all pertinent to the discussion.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH