Installation of OEM XP

[Guest]

In my vast collection of various OS and other software discs (all legal) I
have a copy of Windows XP OEM that still has the registration sticker. I have
stickers on all my computers, so I would like to know whether I can install
that XP OS on another computer that is running Windows ME. How do I find out?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If it was installed on a computer then the license is tied to that computer
and it may not be transferred. In any case, an OEM edition does not have an
upgrade installer so you would have to wipe out everything on the system
drive in the process of installing XP.

 

[Guest]

I don't mind wiping out everything on my hard drive and re-formatting if it
will work. Does it give me a chance to reverse the installation if I find out
that it's already registered?

If it was installed on a computer then the license is tied to that computer
and it may not be transferred. In any case, an OEM edition does not have an
upgrade installer so you would have to wipe out everything on the system
drive in the process of installing XP.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

In my vast collection of various OS and other software discs (all legal) I
have a copy of Windows XP OEM that still has the registration sticker. I
have
stickers on all my computers, so I would like to know whether I can
install
that XP OS on another computer that is running Windows ME. How do I find
out?

 

[jimbo]

You might try a dual boot installation. If you have, or can create a
second partition on your hard drive, or if you have a second hard
drive, just install WinXP to that drive. The WinXP boot loader will set
up the dual boot for you.

Then try to activate the WinXP. If it activates, you are OK, if not you
could remove the WinXP installation.

Good luck, jimbo

I don't mind wiping out everything on my hard drive and re-formatting if it
will work. Does it give me a chance to reverse the installation if I find out
that it's already registered?

If it was installed on a computer then the license is tied to that computer
and it may not be transferred. In any case, an OEM edition does not have an
upgrade installer so you would have to wipe out everything on the system
drive in the process of installing XP.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

In my vast collection of various OS and other software discs (all legal) I
have a copy of Windows XP OEM that still has the registration sticker. I
have
stickers on all my computers, so I would like to know whether I can
install
that XP OS on another computer that is running Windows ME. How do I find
out?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Download Keyfinder from http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml and
run it on each XP computer you have to find out what product key was used in
installing XP. If none match the OEM cd then you are good to go. However
if one does then you have already installed on another machine and the
license is no longer available for use on a new machine.

Even if you went ahead, activation would bump into the activation of the
other machine on Microsoft's servers. The folks at the activation center
have heard all the angles, so don't even try to get something past them.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

I don't mind wiping out everything on my hard drive and re-formatting if it
will work. Does it give me a chance to reverse the installation if I find
out
that it's already registered?

If it was installed on a computer then the license is tied to that
computer
and it may not be transferred. In any case, an OEM edition does not have
an
upgrade installer so you would have to wipe out everything on the system
drive in the process of installing XP.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

In my vast collection of various OS and other software discs (all
legal) I
have a copy of Windows XP OEM that still has the registration sticker.
I
have
stickers on all my computers, so I would like to know whether I can
install
that XP OS on another computer that is running Windows ME. How do I
find
out?