How is this accomplished - Activation procedure when moving XP pro to another computer

[mgm]

My goal is to purchase a new system without purchasing a new OS at this
time. I have an older system that was purchased in 2002 with an OEM WinXP
Pro (I do have a whole XP pro OS and a cert with product key). I want to
uninstall this Microsoft OS product from this older system and install a
Linux flavor on the older system for learning purposes. I also want to avoid
purchasing duplicate XP's.
For my new system purchase, I want to install my original WinXP Pro OS until
Windows Vista is available. When Vista is available, I'll purchase it for
my new system and move XP back to it's original computer. Thanks.. mgm

 

[Ghostrider]

My goal is to purchase a new system without purchasing a new OS at this
time. I have an older system that was purchased in 2002 with an OEM WinXP
Pro (I do have a whole XP pro OS and a cert with product key). I want to
uninstall this Microsoft OS product from this older system and install a
Linux flavor on the older system for learning purposes. I also want to avoid
purchasing duplicate XP's.
For my new system purchase, I want to install my original WinXP Pro OS until
Windows Vista is available. When Vista is available, I'll purchase it for
my new system and move XP back to it's original computer. Thanks.. mgm

Read the EULA. It is likely that it will read that the OEM
version of Windows XP is linked to the first machine in which
it is installed. Consequently, it is not transferrable. But,
as stated in the beginning, read the EULA and act accordingly.

In more practical terms, a full version of Windows XP, be it
retail or OEM, can be installed in most motherboards that meets
the specifications. It is presumed that the OEM version is also
not bios-locked for the original machine.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My goal is to purchase a new system without purchasing a new OS at
this time. I have an older system that was purchased in 2002 with an
OEM WinXP Pro (I do have a whole XP pro OS and a cert with product
key). I want to uninstall this Microsoft OS product from this older
system and install a Linux flavor on the older system for learning
purposes. I also want to avoid purchasing duplicate XP's.
For my new system purchase, I want to install my original WinXP Pro
OS until Windows Vista is available. When Vista is available, I'll
purchase it for my new system and move XP back to it's original
computer. Thanks.. mgm

I'm sorry to tell you that doing what you want to do is against the terms of
the licensing agreement. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of an OEM version
is that the license ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed
on, and it may never be moved to another. Retail versions don't have this
restriction, but OEM versions do; it's one of the main reasons an OEM
version is considerably cheaper than a Full Retail version.

 

[mgm]

Ok... I sure don't want to "break the MS Law"... another good reason to get
familiar with Linux... Thanks all for the input

 

[mgm]

I think it might be a good idea for OEM and "Install - recovery disk" to
HAVE to carry the lable of "Our Version Of" with clear explanations of the
limitations being clearly pointed out and itemized... sheesh.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I think it might be a good idea for OEM and "Install - recovery disk"
to HAVE to carry the lable of "Our Version Of" with clear
explanations of the limitations being clearly pointed out and
itemized... sheesh.

The limitations are spelled out, but they're inside on the EULA. I'm with
you, though, and also wish they were much more prominent.

Better yet, I wish Microsoft would do away with OEM versions entirely, and
simply have all retail versions, without different sets of restrictions. The
problem is that that would increase the cost of the versions the OEMs buy
from Microsoft and they would have to pass those cost increases on to their
customers. Neither the OEMs nor the customers would be happy about that.

 

[Ghostrider]

mgm wrote:





The limitations are spelled out, but they're inside on the EULA. I'm with
you, though, and also wish they were much more prominent.

Better yet, I wish Microsoft would do away with OEM versions entirely, and
simply have all retail versions, without different sets of restrictions. The
problem is that that would increase the cost of the versions the OEMs buy
from Microsoft and they would have to pass those cost increases on to their
customers. Neither the OEMs nor the customers would be happy about that.

Look at it the other way...the retail price would be lowered.
And historically, when the lower price of the OEM product was
due to the lack of packaging, manuals, promotional offers and,
sometimes, the floppies or cdroms...just the license on a slip
of paper.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You need to write a letter(paper & possibly Email) to the OEM and explain
your complaints.
Further, when time to buy another computer, send another letter explaining
why you did not buy their computer.
If this is the only place you voice your concerns, it will not really help
since most agree with you.

This is how I view the problem and the 4 main faults:
1. The manufacturers need to be more clear up front exactly what they are
selling along with the advantages and limitations.
2. Microsoft should require the OEMs to make the limitations more clear on
the packaging as well as information flyers etc.
3. Sales people need to be more honest as well as knowledgeable about
exactly what they sell. Many do not know themselves and inadvertently give
false information.
4. People need to do more research when they invest in a computer so they
know more about what they are spending their $.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

But right now probably the majority buyers purchase OEM one way or another.
Do you really think the majority will stand quietly by while the few save $
at their expense?
As long as buyers are more interested in price than other features, OEM will
continue to be available.

Instead of stopping one option that will force some to pay more $, there
needs to be more information from computer manufacturers, Microsoft and
sales people.
Options are good and it should be carefully considered before options are
removed.

 

[Ghostrider]

You need to write a letter(paper & possibly Email) to the OEM and explain
your complaints.
Further, when time to buy another computer, send another letter explaining
why you did not buy their computer.
If this is the only place you voice your concerns, it will not really help
since most agree with you.

This is how I view the problem and the 4 main faults:
1. The manufacturers need to be more clear up front exactly what they are
selling along with the advantages and limitations.
2. Microsoft should require the OEMs to make the limitations more clear on
the packaging as well as information flyers etc.
3. Sales people need to be more honest as well as knowledgeable about
exactly what they sell. Many do not know themselves and inadvertently give
false information.
4. People need to do more research when they invest in a computer so they
know more about what they are spending their $.

That is absolute hogwash. There is no reason for the MSRP to be
ridiculously high, sticking it to Joe Consumer who buys the retail
verion from a CompUSA, Office Depot, Circuit City, etc. Microsoft
can stop the OEM channel by not distributing product through it,
thereby making everyone buy retail. But Microsoft has a huge debt
of gratitude to the OEM-builders for doing its marketing of MS-DOS
and Windows over the past 20 years. Microsoft has to shoulder the
responsibility for this sad state of affairs of which it has only
worsened through Product Activation and WGA.

There is one similar model which is detested by most people in the
US. Imagine the individual without any health insurance being made
responsible for the full 100% of doctor's and hospital's charges
while both can accept as full payment an employer-paid plan payment
of 30%. Or, an OEM can sell a full-blown system with a flat-screen
monitor for $399 whereas the MSRP for Windows XP is $299? It would
be incredulous that the building costs for this system is just $100
with taxes and profit.

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Better yet, I wish Microsoft would do away with OEM versions
entirely, and simply have all retail versions, without different sets
of restrictions. The problem is that that would increase the cost of
the versions the OEMs buy from Microsoft and they would have to pass
those cost increases on to their customers. Neither the OEMs nor the
customers would be happy about that.

<snipped>

I would happily...nay, joyfully...pay full retail if it meant a single,
simple and conscionable plain language agreement between Microsoft and
me, and if I could be certain that Microsoft is trustworthy enough to
keep up its end of the bargain.

The consternation that all the different agreements--and the attempted,
but undisclosed amendments thereto--cause is just not worth the
discounted cost.

Life is too short and too precious to allow it to be run by a computer
and, by extension, a software manufacturer.

rl
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Your comparison with health care is ridiculous since OEM and retail options
are available to all and many freely have the choice of either.
The choice for healthcare is not so universally available.

"That is absolute hogwash. There is no reason for the MSRP to be
ridiculously high..."
The price has been consistent since at least Windows 95.
If you state this as fact, prove it and cite references.
If it is just your opinion, also please state so.
If you take into account inflation, retail could be easily expected to be
double the current price.
We all would like lower prices on just about everything, but that does not
make them "ridiculously high"

Lastly NOBODY gets stuck with anything.
Anyone who buys retail or any other option for that matter, makes the
choice.
Since they make their own choice, perhaps you should say they are "sticking
it to" themselves.

 

[Ghostrider]

Your comparison with health care is ridiculous since OEM and retail options
are available to all and many freely have the choice of either.
The choice for healthcare is not so universally available.

The comparison was made to illustrate a very important point.
It is true that the choice for healthcare is not universally
available...in the United States.

"That is absolute hogwash. There is no reason for the MSRP to be
ridiculously high..."
The price has been consistent since at least Windows 95.

I am glad that you concur that Windows 95 and later products
were inflated from the very outset and continues to be so. The
only bright light throughout this period was that Windows 95B
and Windows 95C were only available through OEM's, who were
retailing them and the pricing structure was at least uniform.

We all would like lower prices on just about everything, but that does not
make them "ridiculously high"
Lastly NOBODY gets stuck with anything.
Anyone who buys retail or any other option for that matter, makes the
choice. Since they make their own choice, perhaps you should say they are "sticking
it to" themselves.

A contradiction in logic, if there is ever one. Admit it, there
are 2 price tiers. The value between these 2 tiers are, IMHO, is
not significantly reflected between OEM and retail. What kind of
choice is this? Even today, the person who shows up for healthcare
gets the same treatment, with or without health insurance. From
where I presently sit, and it's the best in this large city.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My goal is to purchase a new system without purchasing a new OS at this
time. I have an older system that was purchased in 2002 with an OEM WinXP
Pro (I do have a whole XP pro OS and a cert with product key). I want to
uninstall this Microsoft OS product from this older system and install a
Linux flavor on the older system for learning purposes. I also want to avoid
purchasing duplicate XP's.
For my new system purchase, I want to install my original WinXP Pro OS until
Windows Vista is available. When Vista is available, I'll purchase it for
my new system and move XP back to it's original computer. Thanks.. mgm

While you're free to replace the OEM WinXP on the older computer with
Linux, you cannot re-use that OEM licnese on any other computer. An OEM
version must be sold with a non-peripheral piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_
bound to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once
installed, is not legitimately transferable to another computer under
_any_ circumstances.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Mac]

So just move the harddrive and reactivate

While you're free to replace the OEM WinXP on the older computer with
Linux, you cannot re-use that OEM licnese on any other computer. An OEM
version must be sold with a non-peripheral piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound
to the first PC on which it's installed. An OEM license, once installed,
is not legitimately transferable to another computer under _any_
circumstances.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

"I am glad that you concur..."
I never even suggested any such thing.
If your argument needs to read into my statement what is not there, you have
an extremely weak point.

"A contradiction in logic..."
Not at all especially since there are distinctive differences between retail
and OEM.
Any buyer has a CHOICE of which to purchase and that CHOICE determines
exactly what features are available.

Again, more of your irrelevant health care.
No point is proven when the comparison is so far off...

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Licensing aside, there are often technical reasons why that simply will not
work.

 

[Mistoffolees]

"I am glad that you concur..."
I never even suggested any such thing.
If your argument needs to read into my statement what is not there, you have
an extremely weak point.

"A contradiction in logic..."
Not at all especially since there are distinctive differences between retail
and OEM.
Any buyer has a CHOICE of which to purchase and that CHOICE determines
exactly what features are available.

Again, more of your irrelevant health care.
No point is proven when the comparison is so far off...

Of course it is irrelevant. Jupiter Jones is a Canuck. <)

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Be careful of assumptions.
Assumptions are often made with incomplete data leading to incorrect
conclusions.

 

[Mac]

Licensing is not an issue and technically it will usually work.