Windows activation questions

[Guest]

PC A has Windows XP home on it
PC B originally had a Dell OEM version of XP PRO on it. I installed a
retail version of WNC2005 on it a few months back

All versions of Windows are paid for, valid and activated. I still have the
key code and disks for all 3.

I want to now install the retail WMC2005 version on PC A and reinstall the
dell OEM XP Pro on PC B. If I do this I know I will have trouble validating
the OS's because of a) key code has already been activated b) hardware is
dramatically different. Is there anyway to do this? If yes, what is the
best way to go about this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Galen]

In Winman had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

PC A has Windows XP home on it
PC B originally had a Dell OEM version of XP PRO on it. I installed a
retail version of WNC2005 on it a few months back

All versions of Windows are paid for, valid and activated. I still
have the key code and disks for all 3.

I want to now install the retail WMC2005 version on PC A and
reinstall the dell OEM XP Pro on PC B. If I do this I know I will
have trouble validating the OS's because of a) key code has already
been activated b) hardware is dramatically different. Is there anyway
to do this? If yes, what is the best way to go about this? Thanks
in advance.

If it won't activate then call. Assuming you do what you said and don't
leave it installed on the other PC then you're well within your license
agreement.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"I am glad of all details, whether they seem to you to be relevant or
not." - Sherlock Holmes

 

[Nepatsfan]

(e-mail address removed),

PC A has Windows XP home on it
PC B originally had a Dell OEM version of XP PRO on it. I
installed a retail version of WNC2005 on it a few months back

All versions of Windows are paid for, valid and activated. I
still have the key code and disks for all 3.

I want to now install the retail WMC2005 version on PC A
and reinstall the dell OEM XP Pro on PC B. If I do this I
know I will have trouble validating the OS's because of a)
key code has already been activated b) hardware is
dramatically different. Is there anyway to do this? If
yes, what is the best way to go about this? Thanks in
advance.

You say PC B originally had a Dell OEM version of XP PRO on it.
You left out one very important detail. Is PC B a Dell and did
the Dell OEM XP installation CD you're using come with PC B? If
that's the case, you probably won't need to enter a CD key
during the installation and won't be required to activate. Dell
places a volume license key within the I386\winnt.sif file on
the installation CD. That key when used with a Dell does not
require activation. If PC B is not a Dell, things could get
sticky.

I'm not familiar enough with Windows Media Center Edition to
say with any certainty what issues may arise when you move it
from PC B to PC A. The fact that WMCE is only available in an
OEM version may be a problem. For that reason I'd suggest you
attempt to complete the installation on PC A before you do
anything with PC B. I wouldn't touch PC B until you have WMCE
activated and validated on PC A.

Since both of your proposed changes will require clean
installations, make sure you backup any files you wish to keep.

Good luck

Nepatsfan

 

[Bob I]

You might want to re-read that EULA in the WMC2005

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/howtobuy/default.mspx