new computer question -- continued

[Dan Conrad]

Thanks to everyone for suggestions on how to move a HD to a new
computer. I am still a bit confused as to what I have -- the computer
system came with xp installed, but I have the CD -- which is labeled
wxpoem_en-- so obviously an OEM cd. In the advice given, there was some
suggestion that an OEM XP cannot be moved to a new computer, perhaps due
to an eula violation?

Also -- thank you for the suggestion to slipstream the sp2 with the
original XP diskette -- I can see where that saves time. Can I still
slipstream this to make a sp2 installation setup for the new computer or
does again the eula code only allow installation on the old computer?
And should I use a repair install or new install?

Finally -- the current disk setup has 3 partitions on the one HD -- I
assume I only have to reformat the C partition (and backup the files
accordingly) if I want to do a new install -- the xp installation does
not remove disk partitions in a new installation?

 

[DJ Borell]

Thanks to everyone for suggestions on how to move a HD to a new computer.
I am still a bit confused as to what I have -- the computer system came
with xp installed, but I have the CD -- which is labeled wxpoem_en-- so
obviously an OEM cd. In the advice given, there was some suggestion that
an OEM XP cannot be moved to a new computer, perhaps due to an eula
violation?

If I'm wrong, I'm sure I'll get flamed, but...

I believe the same loophole that allows you to purchase an OEM copy of
Windows will let you move it *IF* a component integral to the operation of
the system (in your case, the hard drive) is still with the copy of Windows.
In any case, your license does prohibit you to using it on only *one* system
at a time.

Also -- thank you for the suggestion to slipstream the sp2 with the
original XP diskette -- I can see where that saves time. Can I still
slipstream this to make a sp2 installation setup for the new computer or
does again the eula code only allow installation on the old computer? And
should I use a repair install or new install?

Slipstreaming simply creates a new install CD with the SP2 files already on
it. This has no bearing on which system it gets installed on. Since almost
everything has changed (ie, motherboard, BIOS, devices, etc.) you can *try*
a repair install, but your better option would be a clean install.

Finally -- the current disk setup has 3 partitions on the one HD -- I
assume I only have to reformat the C partition (and backup the files
accordingly) if I want to do a new install -- the xp installation does not
remove disk partitions in a new installation?

True, as long as you pay attention to what you're doing during the initial
setup. Windows will install to the first partition on the first physical
disk by default and will leave everything else alone unless you tell it
otherwise.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

OEM version can not be move to a different PC, after the first installation.
The license will be "attached" to the FIRST PC the software was installed
on. If the PC dies, so does the license. (This is per the EULA).

 

[DJ Borell]

Having looked into this more, I found the following on the MS System Builder
Website:

"Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on
your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the
original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an
upgrade or replacement of the motherboard.

An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal
computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be
transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or
replaced, for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been
created and the license of new operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to
acquire a new operating system license for the PC."

So, it would appear that the OP can "transfer" her license so long as the MB
is maintained. In a posting on msnews.microsoft.com (dated 20Sep04),
kurttrail posed this same question to the MS OEM Licensing Team and
confirmed the above information.

For more info:

https://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552862

 

[Alex Nichol]

If I'm wrong, I'm sure I'll get flamed, but...

I believe the same loophole that allows you to purchase an OEM copy of
Windows will let you move it *IF* a component integral to the operation of
the system (in your case, the hard drive) is still with the copy of Windows.
In any case, your license does prohibit you to using it on only *one* system
at a time.

That is a possible interpretation, not shared by MS representatives
posting here. But if you take that one, then if the hard drive fails
you lose the license. The reading that it goes with the Computer on
which first installed (though not in the EULA) seems on the whole the
better one in the general interest