Noslen said in news:
[email protected]:
I have Microsoft Windows XP(Home Edition) that use to be
on an old computer of mine; however, I purchased a new
computer that came with preinstalled software. I would
like to sale my (original) copy of Windows XP. The old
computer harddrive has been formatted, and my question
is 'do I have to do call microsoft to deactivate the
license before I can sell my Windows XP?'
Thanks
Noslen
Did Windows XP Home (the "original") come pre-installed on your old computer? If so, it is highly likely that it is an OEM version of Windows XP Home - and you are NOT allowed to sell it ever. The OEM version is tied permanently to the hardware with which it is purchased. If you purchase an OEM copy along with, say, an IDE cable then (according to the wording in the license and not by extrapolation of what was intended) the OEM license follows with the IDE cable. If the OEM version was pre-installed by a system builder on a computer then that license is tied to THAT computer (where the "hardware" is the complete computer). If your old Windows XP Home was a retail version, you can sell it as long as you nor anyone else has a copy of it elsewhere, including not on the hard disk (you said you formatted it) nor in any of your backups (from which it could be restored). If you sell it, you must possess nothing of it anymore.
Run 'winver' and click on the EULA link to read the license contract. Search on "transfer". I have an OEM version (packaged by Microsoft, not some bastardized version from an OEM builder/reseller, like Dell, Compaq, or Toshiba) whose EULA says:
THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER. If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies, if you transfer the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA.
If you have the retail version, the EULA will read differently (as it is not tied to the COMPUTER or HARDWARE). While you do not (and cannot) deactivate the product, the new owner may have a problem activating the product (but probably won't be prompted to do so unless they change some major hardware). Provide a legit bill of sale to the buyer so they can prove to Microsoft there was a legal transfer for the software license. If an OEM transfer, be sure to list the computer or hardware to which that license is bound, and include any applicable serial numbers (so Microsoft knows the OEM license is for that hardware). Try to save the buyer any later headaches and possible [legal] retaliation.
You want to sell off your old copy of Windows XP Home (which must be a retail version). Yet you intend to keep the old computer. What, you're going to use the old computer as a boat anchor (since you will then have NO copy of Windows to install on it)? You bought a NEW computer with Windows XP pre-installed. You want to sell off your old Windows XP Home product which presumably is a retail version since you never mention selling off your old computer, too. So, what OS will you be running on that old computer that you still have? It is illegal to install another copy of the pre-installed version of Windows on your NEW computer also onto your OLD computer (if even possible depending on what "Windows" media you get with the NEW computer). You will *only* get ONE license for an OEM version of Windows with your NEW computer that must always be tied and only installed on your NEW computer. You cannot use it on your OLD computer (which will then have no operating system since you sold off the retail version of the OS that used to be on it). What's operating system are you going to use on your OLD computer?
