buy upgrade for old pc, transfer to new Mac

[Guest]

Hi,
We have a old Compaq that came with XP Home (kid's computer). I'm planning
to re-use this PC as a file server (running Linux), but wondering if I can
get some value out of its XP license by transferring it to a new machine. I
got the kids a Mac Mini (Intel) for christmas, and would like to install
Windows Vista on it, using the new 'bootcamp' dual-boot feature.

So, can I purchase a Vista upgrade for the old machine, and transfer it to
the Mac Mini? If so, what would the order of steps be (e.g., would I have to
actually install Vista on the old PC first). I've looked for specifics on how
the upgrades are authorized, but haven't found anything.

Thanks for any advice,
Pasta

 

[Michael Price]

If the copy of Windows XP came with the old machine it is not transferable
to any other machine. Only "retail" copies can be moved. You have an OEM
version which stays with the machine it came on.

As to whether it would actually work it is another matter. If you can get
the XP from the Compaq running on the MAC you might be able to perform an
upgrade, although from what I have read about boot camp is that it needs a
"full" copy of XP with XP2 on a CD to work.

 

[DCR]

You have to have a running and verified XP system to use a Vista
UPGRADE key. Also, there was a discussion earlier today about
using an OEM disk to install XP on a different computer. And judging
from Colin's experience with Compaq OEM disks, chances are that the XP
disks would not allow installation on a computer with a different BIOS.


| Hi,
| We have a old Compaq that came with XP Home (kid's computer). I'm planning
| to re-use this PC as a file server (running Linux), but wondering if I can
| get some value out of its XP license by transferring it to a new machine. I
| got the kids a Mac Mini (Intel) for christmas, and would like to install
| Windows Vista on it, using the new 'bootcamp' dual-boot feature.
|
| So, can I purchase a Vista upgrade for the old machine, and transfer it to
| the Mac Mini? If so, what would the order of steps be (e.g., would I have to
| actually install Vista on the old PC first). I've looked for specifics on how
| the upgrades are authorized, but haven't found anything.
|
| Thanks for any advice,
| Pasta

 

[DCR]

|" it needs a "full" copy of XP with "XP2" on a CD to work.

XP with SP2

 

[Guest]

Thanks Micheal for the quick reply. I've read elsewhere that the upgrade
will request an XP disc for verification. What if I supply this disc while
installing on a different machine? This probably won't work for me anyhow,
since all I have are restore discs.

Also, it sounds like license transfers are allowable for all Vista
installations. Are upgrades to OEM installations specifically excluded, and
actively prevented? If not, it seems like I could upgrade the old machine,
and then transfer. Is there somewhere I can read details about how this
transfer procedure works?

Thanks,
Pasta

 

[DCR]

Vista Upgrade installations no longer ask for disks,
you have to install from the desktop of a running XP.


| Thanks Micheal for the quick reply. I've read elsewhere that the upgrade
| will request an XP disc for verification. What if I supply this disc while
| installing on a different machine? This probably won't work for me anyhow,
| since all I have are restore discs.
|
| Also, it sounds like license transfers are allowable for all Vista
| installations. Are upgrades to OEM installations specifically excluded, and
| actively prevented? If not, it seems like I could upgrade the old machine,
| and then transfer. Is there somewhere I can read details about how this
| transfer procedure works?
|
| Thanks,
| Pasta
|
| "Michael Price" wrote:
|
| > If the copy of Windows XP came with the old machine it is not transferable
| > to any other machine. Only "retail" copies can be moved. You have an OEM
| > version which stays with the machine it came on.
| >
| > As to whether it would actually work it is another matter. If you can get
| > the XP from the Compaq running on the MAC you might be able to perform an
| > upgrade, although from what I have read about boot camp is that it needs a
| > "full" copy of XP with XP2 on a CD to work.
| >
| >
| >
| > | > > Hi,
| > > We have a old Compaq that came with XP Home (kid's computer). I'm planning
| > > to re-use this PC as a file server (running Linux), but wondering if I can
| > > get some value out of its XP license by transferring it to a new machine.
| > > I
| > > got the kids a Mac Mini (Intel) for christmas, and would like to install
| > > Windows Vista on it, using the new 'bootcamp' dual-boot feature.
| > >
| > > So, can I purchase a Vista upgrade for the old machine, and transfer it to
| > > the Mac Mini? If so, what would the order of steps be (e.g., would I have
| > > to
| > > actually install Vista on the old PC first). I've looked for specifics on
| > > how
| > > the upgrades are authorized, but haven't found anything.
| > >
| > > Thanks for any advice,
| > > Pasta
| >

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

You are correct in that the Restore disks wouldn't work for validation, but
not for the reasons you are thinking. In the past, inserting a qualifying
media disk for validation was sufficient for creating a clean install from
an upgrade disk. No longer. To use an upgrade disk now requires that you
start within a fully installed, activated installation of XP.

OEM/Retail licenses aren't substantially changing. In general, retail
licenses are transferable while OEM ones are not. There are a few exceptions
to this, but that is the gist of it. OEM versions can be upgraded to Vista
using the above steps, same as retail. All you'd be able to do with a retail
upgrade disk of Vista is upgrade the existing Compaq. To install to the Mac
with bootcamp would require a full version.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You still cannot transfer an OEM copy of Windows to another machine.

Boot Camp on Mac's requires a retail XP SP2 full edition cd to install. You
cannot install XP Gold or XP SP1 and then upgrade. This is clearly stated
in the Boot Camp docs.

You cannot install from an XP ugrade edition cd and supply shiny media
because until XP is installed and the Mac Drivers for XP are installed
afterwards there is no way to change cd's. The Boot Camp assistent software
does not provide for changing cd's until XP installation is complete. Mac's
do not have a hardware cd eject button and the eject key on the Mac keyboard
will not function in XP until the drivers are installed. Catch 22.

You have to make the initial installation from an XP full edition SP2 disc.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Even if it not BIOS locked, if the original cd is not SP2 it won't work with
Boot Camp. He has to have an SP2 cd because XP Gold and SP1 do not install
correctly using the Boot Camp Assistant. A slipstreamed SP2 cd does work,
however.

 

[Guest]

Ok, thanks all for nailing that coffin shut. I guess it's not worth
installing Windows on that Mac, just so my kids can play all their old Sims
games. Too bad - I was looking forward to checking out the new interface
before deciding whether to upgrade my desktop.

Cheers,
Pasta