Transfer XP Pro To New Computer

[Definitely Anonymous]

I'm still confused about transferring XP Pro to a different machine. Here's
my summary: Couple of years ago I purchased a laptop online with XP Pro
installed. Did not come with install CD, did not have hidden restore
partition or copy of i386 file. It would not pass WGA due to blocked VLK. I
purchased a new (never registered) retail full install disk containing XP Pro
w/SP2. I did a repair install, entered the new 5x5 Product Key, and activated
same. As far as I can determine, I am 100% legal. Machine passes all WGA
scans for Windows Updates, I was able to install Windows Defender, etc.

If I purchase a newer used laptop that has a larger HDD, more memory, faster
CPU, etc, CAN I TRANSFER MY XP PRO TO THE NEWER MACHINE? If yes, will I use
the same Product Key or does MS issue a new Product Key to avoid the "one
key, one machine" conflict? Is there any other MS website to go to for more
info about what steps to take to legally transfer the OS to a different
machine? (I've already checked the WGA FAQs and didn't see anything about how
to transfer - just a reiteration of one license, one machine.)

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Daave]

I'm still confused about transferring XP Pro to a different machine.
Here's my summary: Couple of years ago I purchased a laptop online
with XP Pro installed. Did not come with install CD, did not have
hidden restore partition or copy of i386 file. It would not pass WGA
due to blocked VLK. I purchased a new (never registered) retail full
install disk containing XP Pro w/SP2. I did a repair install, entered
the new 5x5 Product Key, and activated same. As far as I can
determine, I am 100% legal. Machine passes all WGA scans for Windows
Updates, I was able to install Windows Defender, etc.

If I purchase a newer used laptop that has a larger HDD, more memory,
faster CPU, etc, CAN I TRANSFER MY XP PRO TO THE NEWER
MACHINE?
Absolutely.

If yes, will I use the same Product Key or does MS issue a new
Product Key to avoid the "one key, one machine" conflict?

You need to use the same key. In the event your activation does not
occur online automatically, simply call the phone number on your screen.
I believe it's automated and should just take a few minutes.

Is there any other MS website to go to for more info about what steps
to take to legally transfer the OS to a different machine?

Not sure, but really all you need to do is remove it from the laptop (a
format will do the trick, or if you want to be more thorough, try Eraser
found here:

http://www.heidi.ie/eraser/default.php

For those who are uber paranoid, a sledgehammer works best.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Read the End User License Agreement on your XP Pro retail cd and you will
find that you have the right to transfer the software to another computer as
long as you also remove it from the first computer. It is all in the EULA.

 

[Alias]

Read the End User License Agreement on your XP Pro retail cd and you
will find that you have the right to transfer the software to another
computer as long as you also remove it from the first computer. It is
all in the EULA.

The EULA is not law and would never stand up in court which is why
Microsh¡t hasn't sued anyone. Fuçk that, you can have one copy of XP on
two computers if you wait 120 days between installs, regardless of
whether it's OEM or not as long as it's a generic OEM.

Alias

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The user is not proposing to do that. He is merely transferring the
software. Rant if you want, but at least rant on topic.

 

[Alias]

The user is not proposing to do that. He is merely transferring the
software. Rant if you want, but at least rant on topic.

What I said applies to transferring the software as well. Of course,
with retail, one need not wait the 120 days if one likes to talk to the
activation clerks to prove one did not steal the software one paid for
with hard earned cash.

Alias

 

[HeyBub]

The EULA is not law and would never stand up in court which is why
Microsh¡t hasn't sued anyone. Fuçk that, you can have one copy of XP
on two computers if you wait 120 days between installs, regardless of
whether it's OEM or not as long as it's a generic OEM.

Alias

EULA is not law, true. EULA is, however, a contract. Contracts are upheld
every day, by the thousands, in courts all over the land.

Untied States Constitution - Article I, Section 10
"No State shall... pass any ... Law imparing the Obligation of Contracts..."

 

[Alias]

EULA is not law, true. EULA is, however, a contract. Contracts are upheld
every day, by the thousands, in courts all over the land.

Then why hasn't MS taken one single user to court for violating the
EULA? Could it be that the EULA is unconscionable? Hitting F8 is not
signing a contract but doing what needs to be done to use what one has
paid for. I don't notice an MS rep coming over to my place to sign the
contract either.

Alias

 

[Daave]

Then why hasn't MS taken one single user to court for violating the
EULA? Could it be that the EULA is unconscionable? Hitting F8 is not
signing a contract but doing what needs to be done to use what one has
paid for. I don't notice an MS rep coming over to my place to sign the
contract either.

I believe in this case, according to contract law, hitting F8 means that
you *do* agree to the contract. No one is forcing you to do it. If you
have a problem with the contract, you can refrain from hitting F8 and
return the product for a refund (I would hope!). As far as the EULA
being "unconscionable," I'm not sure that would stand up in a court of
law (unless perhaps it could be proved that the language is
intentionally confusing, but I am not an attorney -- perhaps someone
with a legal background in contract law can chime in). Microsoft would
be foolish to pursue those who use OEM licenses incorrectly, looking at
this from a cost/benefit ratio.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Because they don't prosecute casual copiers. The only prosecute those who
illegally distribute copies for profit. MS prefers using education and
technology to reduce casual copying.

 

[Alias]

I believe in this case, according to contract law, hitting F8 means that
you *do* agree to the contract.

No, it means I want to use the software license I bought and I am forced
to agree to something to use it.

No one is forcing you to do it. If you
have a problem with the contract, you can refrain from hitting F8 and
return the product for a refund (I would hope!).

No refund on shrink wrapped software if the software has been opened.
Sneaky, isn't it? One could even call it "unconscionable".

As far as the EULA
being "unconscionable,"

See above.

I'm not sure that would stand up in a court of
law (unless perhaps it could be proved that the language is
intentionally confusing, but I am not an attorney -- perhaps someone
with a legal background in contract law can chime in). Microsoft would
be foolish to pursue those who use OEM licenses incorrectly, looking at
this from a cost/benefit ratio.

They look at as a possibility that their EULA will be unconscionable and
therefore haven't taken anyone to court to set precedent. It has nothing
to do with cost/benefit other than MS knows it would lose.

Alias

 

[Alias]

Because they don't prosecute casual copiers. The only prosecute those
who illegally distribute copies for profit. MS prefers using education
and technology to reduce casual copying.

And that technology accuses every single person who installs XP of
piracy not once, but twice until they prove otherwise. This, in effect,
makes paying customers do the job of the legal authorities and is
unacceptable.

Alias

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Only if the technology thinks it detects a non-genuine copy of the product.
I have never once seen the non-genuine-software dialogs when installing XP
so your assertion that the technology accuses "every single person who
installs XP of piracy not once, but twice until they prove otherwise" is
silly.

 

[Daave]

No, it means I want to use the software license I bought and I am
forced to agree to something to use it.

Nobody is forcing you to accept the agreement. As long as you have the
ability to return the product for a full refund, I'm pretty sure all the
bases are covered.

No refund on shrink wrapped software if the software has been opened.
Sneaky, isn't it? One could even call it "unconscionable".

In this case you would have a point. However, as long as you decide not
to agree to the terms, I believe you *are* entitiled to a full refund.
But again, I defer to the legal experts.

See above.


They look at as a possibility that their EULA will be unconscionable
and therefore haven't taken anyone to court to set precedent. It has
nothing to do with cost/benefit other than MS knows it would lose.

It has *everything* to do with costs versus benefits.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I'm still confused about transferring XP Pro to a different machine. Here's
my summary: Couple of years ago I purchased a laptop online with XP Pro
installed. Did not come with install CD, did not have hidden restore
partition or copy of i386 file. It would not pass WGA due to blocked VLK. I
purchased a new (never registered) retail full install disk containing XP Pro
w/SP2. I did a repair install, entered the new 5x5 Product Key, and activated
same. As far as I can determine, I am 100% legal. Machine passes all WGA
scans for Windows Updates, I was able to install Windows Defender, etc.

If I purchase a newer used laptop that has a larger HDD, more memory, faster
CPU, etc, CAN I TRANSFER MY XP PRO TO THE NEWER MACHINE? If yes, will I use
the same Product Key or does MS issue a new Product Key to avoid the "one
key, one machine" conflict? Is there any other MS website to go to for more
info about what steps to take to legally transfer the OS to a different
machine? (I've already checked the WGA FAQs and didn't see anything about how
to transfer - just a reiteration of one license, one machine.)

Thanks for any assistance.

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, the you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


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

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