Installing XP Pro OEM to a different computer

[Steve]

My question has two parts: Is this "legal?" And how do I
get the CD?

My IBM Thinkpad came with Windows XP Pro (OEM) installed.
My work requires Windows 2000 Pro, and so I've removed XP
Pro completely from the Thinkpad. This leaves me with an
OEM license for XP Pro (I believe -- correct me if I'm
wrong).

I had wanted to install XP Pro on my home desktop computer
and use the license from the laptop. In order to do this,
I'd need a full copy of XP Pro OEM (since the one that
came with the Thinkpad only installs to Thinkpads).

Which brings us to Q1: Is this legal?

If it's legal, can I call MS tech support and order the
install CD, since what you really are paying for is the
licence? Or can I go down to the local store, buy the
full OEM version of XP Pro, and install it on TWO
machines, since I have the extra license?

Anybody know the official position of Microsoft on this?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Michael Stevens]

My question has two parts: Is this "legal?" And how do I
get the CD?

My IBM Thinkpad came with Windows XP Pro (OEM) installed.
My work requires Windows 2000 Pro, and so I've removed XP
Pro completely from the Thinkpad. This leaves me with an
OEM license for XP Pro (I believe -- correct me if I'm
wrong).

I had wanted to install XP Pro on my home desktop computer
and use the license from the laptop. In order to do this,
I'd need a full copy of XP Pro OEM (since the one that
came with the Thinkpad only installs to Thinkpads).

Which brings us to Q1: Is this legal?

If it's legal, can I call MS tech support and order the
install CD, since what you really are paying for is the
licence? Or can I go down to the local store, buy the
full OEM version of XP Pro, and install it on TWO
machines, since I have the extra license?

Anybody know the official position of Microsoft on this?

Thanks,
Steve

OEM XP cannot be moved to a different computer than the original it
was installed.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser
address box.
OEM clarification.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htmMichael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Michael Stevens]

OEM XP cannot be moved to a different computer than the original it
was installed.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser
address box.
OEM clarification.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htmMichael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

That should be
http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Nicholas]

Preinstalled OEM versions of Windows XP are designed to
only install on the computer it was shipped with. Therefore,
you cannot install it on any other computer.

Read your Windows XP End-User License Agreement:

Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.

Also, open XP's "Help and Support" and type: EULA
and click on "Questions and Answers about the
End-User License Agreement".

--
Nicholas

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| My question has two parts: Is this "legal?" And how do I
| get the CD?
|
| My IBM Thinkpad came with Windows XP Pro (OEM) installed.
| My work requires Windows 2000 Pro, and so I've removed XP
| Pro completely from the Thinkpad. This leaves me with an
| OEM license for XP Pro (I believe -- correct me if I'm
| wrong).
|
| I had wanted to install XP Pro on my home desktop computer
| and use the license from the laptop. In order to do this,
| I'd need a full copy of XP Pro OEM (since the one that
| came with the Thinkpad only installs to Thinkpads).
|
| Which brings us to Q1: Is this legal?
|
| If it's legal, can I call MS tech support and order the
| install CD, since what you really are paying for is the
| licence? Or can I go down to the local store, buy the
| full OEM version of XP Pro, and install it on TWO
| machines, since I have the extra license?
|
| Anybody know the official position of Microsoft on this?
|
| Thanks,
| Steve

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You can't. And you have had Microsoft's official position on this
in your possession the entire time; you need only read the WinXP EULA.

OEM versions must be sold with a piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC, although Microsoft has
greatly relaxed the hardware criteria for WinXP) and are _permanently_
bound to the first PC on which they are installed. An OEM license,
once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under
any circumstances.


Bruce Chambers

--
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