how to legally update from crashed win98SE (and winME) to winXP (or winME)?

[per9000]

Hi,

BACKGROUND
yesterday I bought a (not-so-fresh) computer with a broken win98SE on
it (linux seems to install just fine). I bought it to replace my
broken Compaq (the motherboard seems busted). I would like for this
box to contain a legal version of windows and also a linux distro in a
dual boot solution.

On my old and broken computer I have a (legal) winME license (complete
with CD's, manual and so on). The computer I just bought has a sticker
on it with a win98SE key but no CD's with it or anything.

I am sure XP will run on the machine but I do not own any XP disks or
licences and so on.

Getting a win* is not extremely important to me - but if I can get it
for a few €'s I would not mind paying for it. Using an illegally
copied windows is not an option - then I'd just use only linux.


QUESTIONS
In an attempt to get a legal win* on the box I have some questions:
1 - Do I have the right to "move" my winME from my broken computer and
install it to the "new" one?
2 - What is the cheapest way for me to get winXP on the computer with
the broken win98SE? Can I buy and "upgrade"? If so how much is it, and
do I get an CD sent to me (or can I download an ISO-file and burn
myself). Or do I have to buy a completely new winXP license?
3 - If I were to "find" a win98SE disk at some friends place (or a
dumpster or whatever) do I have the right to reinstall win98SE on the
computer with the license key on the sticker on the box? Can I legally
download a win98-install CD from somewhere?
4 - What other options do I have to get some (legal!) version of
windows to the machine?

Thanks for any tip,
Per

 

[DL]

You cannot legally download a win o/s from anywhere

If your old version of win is an OEM version you cannot move it to a new PC

Hi,

BACKGROUND
yesterday I bought a (not-so-fresh) computer with a broken win98SE on
it (linux seems to install just fine). I bought it to replace my
broken Compaq (the motherboard seems busted). I would like for this
box to contain a legal version of windows and also a linux distro in a
dual boot solution.

On my old and broken computer I have a (legal) winME license (complete
with CD's, manual and so on). The computer I just bought has a sticker
on it with a win98SE key but no CD's with it or anything.

I am sure XP will run on the machine but I do not own any XP disks or
licences and so on.

Getting a win* is not extremely important to me - but if I can get it
for a few ?'s I would not mind paying for it. Using an illegally
copied windows is not an option - then I'd just use only linux.


QUESTIONS
In an attempt to get a legal win* on the box I have some questions:
1 - Do I have the right to "move" my winME from my broken computer and
install it to the "new" one?
2 - What is the cheapest way for me to get winXP on the computer with
the broken win98SE? Can I buy and "upgrade"? If so how much is it, and
do I get an CD sent to me (or can I download an ISO-file and burn
myself). Or do I have to buy a completely new winXP license?
3 - If I were to "find" a win98SE disk at some friends place (or a
dumpster or whatever) do I have the right to reinstall win98SE on the
computer with the license key on the sticker on the box? Can I legally
download a win98-install CD from somewhere?
4 - What other options do I have to get some (legal!) version of
windows to the machine?

Thanks for any tip,
Per

 

[per9000]

[...]

If your old version of win is an OEM version you cannot move it to a new PC

[...]

How do I know that? The one with dead hard-ware is a Compaq 5029SE.
The "newer" one is also a Compaq - but I am not sure what type it is.

How much do I have to pay to "upgrade" from win98SE to any windows
version that will give me a CD that I can use to install. I am unable
to find any relevant information on microsoft.com (it just tells me to
go to resellers and I cant find any reseller in Sweden that lists
upgrades).

Also I am unable to find any page/reseller/etc where I can buy or get
information on how to buy winFLP ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Fundamentals_for_Legacy_PCs
).

I'm trying to use windows legally, but if it is to hard to do that
I'll keep using Linux.

Any more help is useful,
thanks, Per

 

[per9000]

[...]

If your old version of win is an OEM version you cannot move it to a new PC

[...]

How do I know that? The one with dead hard-ware is a Compaq 5029SE.
The "newer" one is also a Compaq - but I am not sure what type it is.

Does it matter if I can prove that the hardware that originally ran
winME is dead - I'll gladly send my broken mothercard (perhaps a
picture of me smashing it - or taking a shower with it []-|--< ) to
Microsoft to prove that the specific computer is unable to run
anything what so ever.

/Per

 

[dobey]

[...]

If your old version of win is an OEM version you cannot move it to a
new PC

[...]

How do I know that? The one with dead hard-ware is a Compaq 5029SE.
The "newer" one is also a Compaq - but I am not sure what type it is.

Does it matter if I can prove that the hardware that originally ran
winME is dead - I'll gladly send my broken mothercard (perhaps a
picture of me smashing it - or taking a shower with it []-|--< ) to
Microsoft to prove that the specific computer is unable to run
anything what so ever.

/Per

Don't be a plonker...

Search for the EULA for the product you want to buy.

I expect if you buy an upgrade edition you forfeit the right to use the OS
you upgraded from, since you got the newer version cheaper. I didn't read
the EULA too closely, and I doubt many people do, (though I would think it
is implied that you couldn't install the old OS on another PC).

OEM versions generally can't be moved to another PC, on XP it's doubtful you
would be able to activate it for another PC, but there might be exclusions.
For older OSes there is only a legal barrier.

You can get academic upgrade editions which are cheaper again, but there are
some qualifications.

Since virtually no-one is writing drivers etc for Win98/ME anymore, I doubt
MS puts a lot of effort in to tracking down copies that should be unused.

When you update to XP, using an upgrade edition, XP will identify an
existing installation of Win98/ME. If there is no existing installation it
will ask you to insert the original Win98/ME disk into the drive during the
XP installation process to verify that you qualify to use the upgrade
edition. This means you can do a clean install with an upgrade disk.

Why does it make a difference if you download it or not? The important part
of the XP installation is the authentication key, not the setup software on
the disk.

Also I am unable to find any page/reseller/etc where I can buy or get
information on how to buy winFLP (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Fundamentals_for_Legacy_PCs)

Did you read the article?
"WinFLP will not be made available through retail or OEM channels."...
"It is exclusively available to Software Assurance customers."

If you are that hard up, stick with Linux.

My only other suggestion would be to buy a second-hand PC with XP installed,
but you seem determined to stick with your hardware.

 

[Bob I]

[...]

If your old version of win is an OEM version you cannot move it to a new PC

[...]

How do I know that? The one with dead hard-ware is a Compaq 5029SE.
The "newer" one is also a Compaq - but I am not sure what type it is.

Does it matter if I can prove that the hardware that originally ran
winME is dead - I'll gladly send my broken mothercard (perhaps a
picture of me smashing it - or taking a shower with it []-|--< ) to
Microsoft to prove that the specific computer is unable to run
anything what so ever.

/Per

Nope, dead is dead and the OEM license goes with it. As to the one with
98se, if you want to use a XP Upgrade version you will need the 98 CD
someday. check e-Bay or such for a suitable Compaq 98 CD. Then you could
buy Win XP upgrade edition.

 

[per9000]

When you update to XP, using an upgrade edition [...]

So where do I get one (an upgrade edition) - from resellers? Any
reseller? How much is it?

Why does it make a difference if you download it or not? [...]

It doesn't but since I will surely break the hard drive or something
similar I'd be glad to have it on disk.

Did you read the article?
"WinFLP will not be made available through retail or OEM channels."...
"It is exclusively available to Software Assurance customers."

I must have just looked at the pictures []-|--<


/Per

 

[Bob I]

Try this link.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Buy+Windows+XP+upgrade

When you update to XP, using an upgrade edition [...]

So where do I get one (an upgrade edition) - from resellers? Any
reseller? How much is it?

Why does it make a difference if you download it or not? [...]

It doesn't but since I will surely break the hard drive or something
similar I'd be glad to have it on disk.

Did you read the article?
"WinFLP will not be made available through retail or OEM channels."...
"It is exclusively available to Software Assurance customers."

I must have just looked at the pictures []-|--<


/Per