licencing question

[David Kinston]

I just bought a used P4 1.5G PC which
has a windows XP Pro licence sticker on it.
(For the same brand of PC).

Does this mean that I am correct in assuming
that I can reinstall and use XP legally on this PC?

D Kinston
Melbourne.au

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I just bought a used P4 1.5G PC which
has a windows XP Pro licence sticker on it.
(For the same brand of PC).

Does this mean that I am correct in assuming
that I can reinstall and use XP legally on this PC?

D Kinston
Melbourne.au

The system, if it has the sticker, has an OEM version of Windows XP that
should have come with it. Yes - you can install the copy of Windows XP that
should have come with the system, as it is legally connected to that machine
and if in use elsewhere, you have the proof of ownership on the side of the
PC..

However, Microsoft will not support you because the OEM support comes from
the people who originally sold the OEM software.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

If the second-hand PC you've purchased has an OEM CoA attached,
the seller should have also provided you with the original WinXP OEM
installation CD. It would have been useless for the seller to retain
the OEM installation CD, as he/she cannot legitimately re-use it on
any other computer.

However, from your question, I gather that WinXP is not currently
installed on the computer, and that no installation CD was provided.
Because you have the OEM license CoA label in your possession, and
because the OEM license does not permit the "attached" OS to be
legitimately used on _any_ other computer, I'd have to conclude that
you do have a valid license to install an OEM version of WinXP onto
the computer. Of course, obtaining the necessary OEM installation CD
may be a bit of a bother, if the PC's seller doesn't want to provide
it.

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for
any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and
vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full
version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with
an English CD. Product Keys and CDs cannot be mixed & matched.



Bruce Chambers
--
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