Does XP go

[msnews.microsoft.com]

I have to sell my computer, the new owner will reinstall Wimdos XP with a
new name. can they still register XP?

 

[John Barnett - MVP]

I take it that you have wiped your hard drive and that you are giving the
new purchaser your copy of xp to reinstall?
Presumably you also registered the copy in your name?
The second purchaser can register the copy in his name but it will cost
him/her. I think somewhere in the region of $75 (don't quote me. this is a
guess. I've seen it somewhere but can't remember exactly where)
He/she will need to activate xp, which is different to registering. To be
honest registering is not an obligation, so long as xp is activated that's
all that matters. registering the product usually means you get tech support
for a certain number of days. Your copy is more than past the free tech
support time limite anyway so even if he did pay and register it he/she
wouldn't get any further benefit.

 

[CS]

I have to sell my computer, the new owner will reinstall Wimdos XP with a
new name. can they still register XP?

Registration is not required. When you sell the machine, be sure to
include all media and the Product Key. (which really is the license)

Use a good wipe utility to clean the hard drive first. When they
re-install XP, they'll have to activate. If it's been 120 days since
the last time it was activated, the activation should accomplish
through the internet. Otherwise, they'll probably have to call to
activate.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have to sell my computer, the new owner will reinstall Wimdos XP with a
new name. can they still register XP

The important thing is 'activation' - not registration which is only
voluntary for marketing and support. Activation relates to the machine,
not to the owner, and if XP is reinstalled after a format, it will go
through again on the net just as before. See
www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm