OEM Activation Question

[Guest]

Here is my problem, My Motherboard on my computer has decided to fail on me
and I have to buy a new one. The version of XP is OEM and my computer came
with restore disks. A friend of mine let me copy his xp disk so I can
re-intall xp and I will use the COA that came attached with my computer. Is
this legal? If not how do I get xp on my computer. I can't afford all of
this at once

What activation issues will there be?

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Here is my problem, My Motherboard on my computer has decided
to
fail on me and I have to buy a new one. The version of XP is
OEM and
my computer came with restore disks. A friend of mine let me
copy
his xp disk so I can re-intall xp and I will use the COA that
came
attached with my computer. Is this legal?

It's not a matter of being legal. It very likely won't work.

If not how do I get xp on
my computer.

Use your restore disks. That's what they're for. However check
with your OEM. They may not work unless the motherboard is
identical to the original.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the help. I have contacted my OEM E-machines and they say they
only have restore disks and they are unsure if they can be used on a
different motherboard.

My only hope is to buy another motherboard and hope that my COA code works.
I don't see why I should have to buy another copy of windows because my
hardware failed. Can I call up Microsoft or is there nothing they can do?

If I do get a successful install will I be able to activate it without
buying another copy of windows?

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Most restore disks may be "bios" locked to a specific motherboard.

As per the End-User License Agreement (EULA), the original COA license was
locked to the original PC. Most will debate how to determine the original
PC but most agree, the motherboard is the major factor in determining the
original PC. Therefore, you are breaking the license and No, it is not
legal.

 

[Doz]

The recovery disks are usually BIOS locked to the model you purchased.
Changing the motherboard breaks the "lock" and the recovery disk cannot be
used. In this case you will have to buy another copy of Windows.
Sorry... MS will do nothing as it's an OEM copy and the "fault" (if you call
it a fult) lies with the supplier of the PC.

Regards,

Doz

 

[Guest]

Well, this isn't good news at all. Looks like I'll have to spend even more
to get my computer running again. It seems the COA means nothing if you use
an OEM machine. I'll have to look closer at this aspect of a computer if I
get another one. I guess it will be a while before I can get back up and
running.

Thanks for the help

 

[Ron Martell]

Well, this isn't good news at all. Looks like I'll have to spend even more
to get my computer running again. It seems the COA means nothing if you use
an OEM machine. I'll have to look closer at this aspect of a computer if I
get another one. I guess it will be a while before I can get back up and
running.

Thanks for the help

There is a reason why you are asked to consent to the End User License
Agreement before using Windows for the first time. The EULA contains
a number of clauses that spell out the restrictions and limitations of
your software license.

For general information on OEM software licenses see my web page at
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca./oem_software.htm

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[S.Sengupta]

Go throghroduct Activation and new pre-loaded PCs
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

regards,
ssg MS-MVP

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Here is my problem, My Motherboard on my computer has decided to fail on me
and I have to buy a new one. The version of XP is OEM and my computer came
with restore disks. A friend of mine let me copy his xp disk so I can
re-intall xp and I will use the COA that came attached with my computer. Is
this legal?

The "legality is irrelevant, as your plan simply won't work. 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. Bottom line:
Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

If not how do I get xp on my computer.

Make sure that you get the replacement motherboard from the PC's
original manufacturer, so that your OEM license remains valid.

What activation issues will there be?

If you obtain the new motherboard from the OEM, none. Otherwise, you
may well not be able to even install the OEM version, much less activate it.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks for the help. I have contacted my OEM E-machines and they say they
only have restore disks and they are unsure if they can be used on a
different motherboard.

They most likely won't work on a different motherboard. You must
obtain an identical replacement motherboard from eMachines if you wish
to continue using the same OEM license.

My only hope is to buy another motherboard and hope that my COA code works.

It's a very slim hope. Why not get the replacement from eMachines?

I don't see why I should have to buy another copy of windows because my
hardware failed.

The WinXP OEM license that you purchased with the computer is valid
only so long as the computer's manufacturer says it is. This is one of
the reasons OEM licenses are so much less expensive than retail
licenses. How can you reasonably expect eMachines to continue
supporting you if you deliberately void any warranty and service
agreements by purchasing replacement parts from one of their competitors?

Can I call up Microsoft or is there nothing they can do?

Microsoft cannot and will not provide any support for OEM licenses.
That is solely the responsibility of the computer manufacturer.

If I do get a successful install will I be able to activate it without
buying another copy of windows?

Most likely not.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Well, this isn't good news at all.

It isn't news, at all, actually. OEM licensing has been like this for
years, now.

Looks like I'll have to spend even more
to get my computer running again.

Not if you get a warranty replacement from eMachines.

It seems the COA means nothing if you use
an OEM machine.

Sure it does. It can be used to reinstall that single OEM license on
that same computer as many times as you like. You're the one who's
planning to render your OEM Product Key useless.

I'll have to look closer at this aspect of a computer if I
get another one.

A lesson learned late is certainly better than one never learned at all.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Thanks for the help. I have contacted my OEM E-machines and
they say
they only have restore disks and they are unsure if they can be
used
on a different motherboard.

My only hope is to buy another motherboard and hope that my COA
code
works. I don't see why I should have to buy another copy of
windows
because my hardware failed.

Please realize that an OEM license is for the computer it's first
installed on; it can never be legally transferred to another
machine even if the first one dies.

Yes that's very restrictive, and for many people, it's a good
reason not to buy a computer that comes with an OEM license. On
the other hand, an OEM license is considerably cheaper than a
retail license, and that's one of the main reasons why.

Can I call up Microsoft or is there
nothing they can do?

Sorry, calling Microsoft won't do you any good either. Another
disadvantage of an OEM license, and reason why it's cheaper, is
that Microsoft won't support it, and your only recourse is with
your OEM.

Sorry if you're stuck here, but realize that you bought cheap,
and what you got is cheap.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Here is my problem, My Motherboard on my computer has decided to fail on me
and I have to buy a new one. The version of XP is OEM and my computer came
with restore disks. A friend of mine let me copy his xp disk so I can
re-intall xp and I will use the COA that came attached with my computer. Is
this legal?

More to the point - it won't work. His Product key is matched to the
series of CDs concerned; yours to the restore provision of the machine,
and they will not exchange.

If not how do I get xp on my computer.

If your new motherboard is is a replacement from the original maker,
then it should be a plug in replacement and the installation already on
the hard disk will just work. If not then this will probably be seen as
a change of machine - and the OEM license excludes that.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for all of your comments. I have found this thanks to S. Sengupta.

Every single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP and no
reactivation would be required — even the motherboard could be replaced as
long as the replacement motherboard was original equipment manufactured by
the OEM and retained the proper BIOS. In the unlikely scenario that the BIOS
information does not match, the PC would need to be activated within 30 days
by contacting the Microsoft activation center via the Internet or telephone
call — just as in a retail scenario.

To me I would see the above statement as if my motherboard was replaced and
the bios is different I would just have to activate the product again just
like a retail version. I got this info from:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

This statement appears to be quite clear. Every piece of harware can be
replaced apart from the mother board without activation. In the case the
bios is different I need to only activate the software via the normal routes.
I'm sure I can contact Microsoft with this information if I ever need to use
it.

 

[Bob I]

Replacing the motherboard with an exact duplicate will be a "repair" and
then everything will work as advertized. Upgrades and parts changes is
where the problem starts and you need to be concerned about the "install
and activation" not working.

 

[M]

You may have more success if you find a pre SP1 XP OEM CD to install from.
The Dell ones at least were not Bios locked (a test install worked perfectly
on a much older PC that wasn't even a Dell!) although it may not work with
your product key. Microsoft have never defined at what point an upgraded PC
ceases to be the original so as far as I can see you are justified in doing
what ever it takes to make it work. What ever you do please post back and
let us know.

 

[Guest]

I will let you know how it goes M. I have also bought an unregistered
version of XP OEM if this one fails. I'm just going through the piracy
checks on this new software to ensure it's legit. It appears alright so far.

I would have bought an oem motherboard to replace the faulty one, but the
prices are triple that of a third party board. Also I no longer have a
waranty on my computer so anything goes wrong it's on me to put it right.