OEM Install Restrictions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have been using my OEM copy of Windows XP Professional for around 6 months
now, only to find when I did a clean install of it the other day that the
Activation Key was no longer valid. I rang Microsoft and they said that the
key had been locked and there was nothing they could do about it but to call
the place where I bought it from and ask for a new key. When I called the
place I bought it from they told me that the OEM version can only be
installed a limited number of times! Is this true?
 
In
Ian Ashby said:
I have been using my OEM copy of Windows XP Professional for around 6
months now, only to find when I did a clean install of it the other
day that the Activation Key was no longer valid. I rang Microsoft and
they said that the key had been locked and there was nothing they
could do about it but to call the place where I bought it from and
ask for a new key. When I called the place I bought it from they told
me that the OEM version can only be installed a limited number of
times! Is this true?
Click to expand...

Unless you left out some details, there is no reason why you should not get
an activation by calling the number shown when prompted during setup.
Run setup again, and when prompted, call the number on the screen and after
exchanging the code strings, you should be activated.
You can activate the OEM XP version on the same hardware unlimited number of
times.
How to clean install XP.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Ian Ashby said:
I have been using my OEM copy of Windows XP Professional for around 6 months
now, only to find when I did a clean install of it the other day that the
Activation Key was no longer valid. I rang Microsoft and they said that the
key had been locked and there was nothing they could do about it but to call
the place where I bought it from and ask for a new key. When I called the
place I bought it from they told me that the OEM version can only be
installed a limited number of times! Is this true?
Click to expand...

Totally incorrect.

You should be able to reinstall your OEM version of Windows XP *on the
same computer* an unlimited number of times.

However if you try to install it onto a different computer then that
would contravene the terms of the end user license agreement.

Was your OEM Windows XP originally purchased bundled with a new
computer? If so then did you subsequently replace the motherboard
with one that was not obtained from the same OEM that supplied your
computer? That would account for the situation you have encountered
now, because as of 1 March 2005 the activation procedures for BIOS
Locked (SLP) OEM versions of Windows XP have been tightened up and
they can no longer be activated on a computer whose motherboard is not
from that specific OEM.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
 
Ron said:
Totally incorrect.

You should be able to reinstall your OEM version of Windows XP *on the
same computer* an unlimited number of times.

However if you try to install it onto a different computer then that
would contravene the terms of the end user license agreement.

Was your OEM Windows XP originally purchased bundled with a new
computer? If so then did you subsequently replace the motherboard
with one that was not obtained from the same OEM that supplied your
computer? That would account for the situation you have encountered
now, because as of 1 March 2005 the activation procedures for BIOS
Locked (SLP) OEM versions of Windows XP have been tightened up and
they can no longer be activated on a computer whose motherboard is not
from that specific OEM.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
Click to expand...

So, the solution to a failed motherboard that can't be replaced by an
identical MB is to put more money in MS' pocket by buying a new copy of
XP???

What a rip off!

Alias
 
Alias said:
So, the solution to a failed motherboard that can't be replaced by an
identical MB is to put more money in MS' pocket by buying a new copy of
XP???

What a rip off!

Alias
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a rip off. Do not support OEMs like Dell who practice this. It is
the OEMs decision to supply Windows like this not Microsoft's. They do this
because it is cheaper (that is Microsoft's part in the equation) and it
locks the customer into using them for service. Have you ever priced a Dell
motherboard? If they wanted to they could supply a generic OEM version of
Windows.

Kerry
 
It is really disapointing not to be able to reinstall OEM XP on a different
computer once you un-install the original copy from old computer. You have
paid for *your* licence so you should be able to use it on YOUR computer as
you see fit. The EULA is abusive and its a non-sense. Microsoft should
give a brake to the users that are BUYING and PAYING for their legal
licences and focus and energy on the billions of illegal copies on the
planet instead of pissing off people that support their products.

My 2.
 
Kerry said:
Yes, it is a rip off. Do not support OEMs like Dell who practice this. It is
the OEMs decision to supply Windows like this not Microsoft's. They do this
because it is cheaper (that is Microsoft's part in the equation) and it
locks the customer into using them for service. Have you ever priced a Dell
motherboard? If they wanted to they could supply a generic OEM version of
Windows.

Kerry
Click to expand...

It is ultimately M$'s fault for allowing such practises in the first
place. Sure it saves monoy for the OEM and it makes more money for M$
and the customer is who gets screwed.

Steve N.
 
Steve said:
It is ultimately M$'s fault for allowing such practises in the first
place. Sure it saves monoy for the OEM and it makes more money for M$
and the customer is who gets screwed.

Steve N.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that Microsoft did this in response to requests from the
large OEMs. I agree that it is a rip off but I think we need to look at who
is actually doing the rip off. Personally I'd only assign part of the blame
to Microsoft. I'm not apologising for Microsoft just trying to be realistic.
Dell, HP and other OEMs are every bit as greedy and unscrupulous as
Microsoft.

Kerry
 
Microsoft do produce versions that enable the user to do just that.. the
versions are called 'retail boxed'.. one can re-use this type over and over
again, and on any machine..

OEM versions are available such that computer vendors can 'add value' to
their package.. the OEM license is transferred to the end user through the
vendor.. it is at the discretion of the vendor whether or not the full
implications of the OEM license are revealed to the end user.. didn't the
vendor tell you any of this?.. go back to the vendor and ask them why they
were so secretive..

Re. the issue of 'focusing on illegal copies', this is what they are doing
with the activation process.. preventing an end user from distributing one
CD throughout an entire household, family, company, school, college as was
the practise with Win 9x/ME.. oh, you mean all of the illegal copies outside
of the 'West'.. so it is ok to chase up users in Russia, Korea or China, but
we should be able to copy to our heart's content?..
 
Use your XP CD to boot the computer, follow on screen instructions until you
get to the second option to press R for repair.. do NOT use the R option to
enter the 'recovery console.. R for repair installations is a little further
into the installation process..

Or, do a clean install.. either way, you will want to go to this site for
all XP installation information..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
 
There is no limit as to the number of times you can
activate a "legitimate" OEM version of Windows XP.
If Microsoft said your OEM Product Key is blocked,
the seller of your OEM version probably likely sold you
a pirated, illegal OEM version. Go back to the vendor
and demand a legitimate Windows XP license!
 
Ignore the thread directly above this one.. not sure why it came to here..
user error no doubt.. :-)
 
Gillies said:
It is really disapointing not to be able to reinstall OEM XP on a different
computer once you un-install the original copy from old computer. You have
paid for *your* licence so you should be able to use it on YOUR computer as
you see fit. The EULA is abusive and its a non-sense.
Click to expand...

Maybe so. But remember that the OEM version costs substantially less
than the full retail version. This non-portability is one of the
reasons for that.
 
Ian said:
I have been using my OEM copy of Windows XP Professional for around 6
months now, only to find when I did a clean install of it the other
day that the Activation Key was no longer valid. I rang Microsoft and
they said that the key had been locked and there was nothing they
could do about it but to call the place where I bought it from and
ask for a new key. When I called the place I bought it from they told
me that the OEM version can only be installed a limited number of
times! Is this true?
Click to expand...


No, it's not true. Whether retail or OEM, it can be installed as many times
as you need or want to.
 
Gillies said:
It is really disapointing not to be able to reinstall OEM XP on a
different computer once you un-install the original copy from old
computer. You have paid for *your* licence so you should be able to
use it on YOUR computer as you see fit. The EULA is abusive and its
a non-sense. Microsoft should give a brake to the users that are
BUYING and PAYING for their legal licences and focus and energy on
the billions of illegal copies on the planet instead of pissing off
people that support their products.
Click to expand...


Bear in mind that an OEM version costs considerably less than a retail
version. It's not realistic to expect the two to be identical with respect
to everything, including rights of use, for two different prices.

Personally I wish there were no such thing as an OEM verision, and that all
versions were the same.
 
Tim said:
Maybe so. But remember that the OEM version costs substantially less
than the full retail version. This non-portability is one of the
reasons for that.
Click to expand...

It's certainly not because a retail verson costs that much more to produce.

Alias
 
Ian said:
I have been using my OEM copy of Windows XP Professional for around 6 months
now, only to find when I did a clean install of it the other day that the
Activation Key was no longer valid. I rang Microsoft and they said that the
key had been locked and there was nothing they could do about it but to call
the place where I bought it from and ask for a new key. When I called the
place I bought it from they told me that the OEM version can only be
installed a limited number of times! Is this true?
Click to expand...


There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is there ever a
charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation
license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since you last
activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to
activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might
have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

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
 
Gillies said:
It is really disapointing not to be able to reinstall OEM XP on a different
computer once you un-install the original copy from old computer.
Click to expand...


How so? You'd paid significantly less for that OEM license than you
would have paid for a retail license. By paying less, you purchased less.

You have
paid for *your* licence so you should be able to use it on YOUR computer as
you see fit.
Click to expand...


Now that's nonsense. By purchasing the "license," you agree to abide
by it's terms; expecting to then be freely able to renege upon one's
agreement is absurd.

The EULA is abusive and its a non-sense.
Click to expand...


No, it's neither. But feel free to purchase any other license with
whose terms you're more comfortable.





--

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
 
Back
Top