OEM activation question

[Gary R.]

I'm repairing a Gateway machine for my daughter's friend, and it turns out
the CPU is failing, I'm unsure about the motherboard at this time as I can't
really test it with the failing CPU. I can get another similar P4 CPU, but
for about the same cost, I can get better motherboard/CPU combo that will
fit in the machine. The network card is built in, so I assume there's no
possibility that it will switch without needing reactivation.

I know the policy on OEM as being for one machine, and this truly will be
the original machine with a different mobo/cpu to replace the failed one,
but does anyone know the policy regarding this? I'd hate to get her machine
fixed, call MS and find out she has to buy a whole new copy of XP
home...that will basically make the machine not worth fixing. Even if I
bought an original replacement Intel board and CPU from Gateway (at 3x the
cost of normal), I think the network card would possibly be enough "points"
to trigger the activation....besides that, again it's not worth it.

Thanks,

Gary

 

[Michael Stevens]

I'm repairing a Gateway machine for my daughter's friend, and it turns out
the CPU is failing, I'm unsure about the motherboard at this time as I can't
really test it with the failing CPU. I can get another similar P4 CPU, but
for about the same cost, I can get better motherboard/CPU combo that will
fit in the machine. The network card is built in, so I assume there's no
possibility that it will switch without needing reactivation.

I know the policy on OEM as being for one machine, and this truly will be
the original machine with a different mobo/cpu to replace the failed one,
but does anyone know the policy regarding this? I'd hate to get her machine
fixed, call MS and find out she has to buy a whole new copy of XP
home...that will basically make the machine not worth fixing. Even if I
bought an original replacement Intel board and CPU from Gateway (at 3x the
cost of normal), I think the network card would possibly be enough "points"
to trigger the activation....besides that, again it's not worth it.

Thanks,

Gary

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
OEM Clarification
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.
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[Yves Leclerc]

Gateway "could" have BIOS locked the Recovery CD.

 

[D.Currie]

I'm repairing a Gateway machine for my daughter's friend, and it turns out
the CPU is failing, I'm unsure about the motherboard at this time as I can't
really test it with the failing CPU. I can get another similar P4 CPU, but
for about the same cost, I can get better motherboard/CPU combo that will
fit in the machine. The network card is built in, so I assume there's no
possibility that it will switch without needing reactivation.

I know the policy on OEM as being for one machine, and this truly will be
the original machine with a different mobo/cpu to replace the failed one,
but does anyone know the policy regarding this? I'd hate to get her machine
fixed, call MS and find out she has to buy a whole new copy of XP
home...that will basically make the machine not worth fixing. Even if I
bought an original replacement Intel board and CPU from Gateway (at 3x the
cost of normal), I think the network card would possibly be enough "points"
to trigger the activation....besides that, again it's not worth it.

Thanks,

Gary

You're going to have a problem, but not the one that you think. When you
replace the motherboard, you're likely going to need to do a repair install.
When you try to use the Gateway disk to do the repair, it's likely not to
work because it's going to recognize it that it isn't the same PC.
Activation will never play a part in it.

 

[Gary R.]

Thanks to all that replied, though it's not what I'd like to have heard.

Score a big -1 for activation. I originally didn't like the idea, but over
time had decided it's not really that bad, at least for normal versions.
But the principle here is that she bought the machine; parts of it failed
way before they should have (but after the chintzy warranty), and now
Microsoft believes she should pay $200 for a new copy of XP home...or I
suppose I could spend less on an OEM, but how stupid can I be?

Maybe she'll be happy with ME, I won't feel a twinge of guilt making her a
copy, they've already been paid for XP on that machine.

I suppose I'll contact Gateway and see if they'll do anything, but I won't
hold my breath. Glad I build my own machines and don't have to put up with
this stupidity. While I understand the anti-piracy purpose of activation,
this would not be piracy by any stretch of the imagination, just another
college girl victim that can't even afford the motherboard/cpu, let alone a
redundant OS that she's already bought.

Gary

 

[koko]

I think I can help you.
I mean for student no income.
Pls email me.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I think I can help you.
I mean for student no income.
Pls email me.

From this reply, I doubt you have a clue. This is a peer support newsgroup,
not a source of commercial help support.

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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