Possible to use OEM XP Home after upgrades?

[SmellyaLater]

I'm planning on building a new system and using an OEM XP Home CD from
Newegg as the OS. I know after I install the OS it will be "tied" to the
machine. My question, will it be possible for me to make upgrades to the
machine and not have to buy a new license? I've read that Longhorn might
not be coming out until 2008 so I'd like this CD to last.

What I'm most concerned about it the hard drive and mobo/cpu. If down the
line I decide to upgrade either one of these, would I be able to activate
the oem xp? Thanks.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Upgrades are not a problem with that type of OEM.
Worst case is a 5 minute call to Microsoft.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, you'll be able to make incremental upgrades to the PC. The
OEM EULA only prohibits the transfer of the license from one distinct
PC to another, entirely different, distinct PC.

Bruce Chambers

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[Epona]

Greetings --

Yes, you'll be able to make incremental upgrades to the PC. The
OEM EULA only prohibits the transfer of the license from one distinct
PC to another, entirely different, distinct PC.

Bruce Chambers

Define 'distinct'...Say I was to build a system - and then a couple of years
later change all the components bar, let's say the NIC and modem and, maybe,
the hard drive if it was large enough. Is that a new system?

I've always found this to be a grey area - when does one system become an
entirely different system?

 

[Michael Stevens]

Define 'distinct'...Say I was to build a system - and then a couple
of years later change all the components bar, let's say the NIC and
modem and, maybe, the hard drive if it was large enough. Is that a
new system?

I've always found this to be a grey area - when does one system
become an entirely different system?

Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address box.
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.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

From Merriam-Webster's dictionary:

Main Entry: dis·tinct
Pronunciation: di-'sti[ng](k)t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin distinctus,
from past participle of distinguere
Date: 14th century
1 : distinguishable to the eye or mind as discrete : SEPARATE <a
distinct cultural group>
2 : presenting a clear unmistakable impression <a neat distinct
handwriting>
3 archaic : notably decorated
4 a : NOTABLE <a distinct contribution to scholarship> b : readily and
unmistakably apprehended <a distinct possibility>
- dis·tinct·ly /-'sti[ng](k)-tlE, -'sti[ng]-klE/ adverb
- dis·tinct·ness /-'sti[ng](k)t-n&s, -'sti[ng]k-n&s/ noun
synonyms DISTINCT, SEPARATE, DISCRETE mean not being each and every
one the same. DISTINCT indicates that something is distinguished by
the mind or eye as being apart or different from others <two distinct
versions>. SEPARATE often stresses lack of connection or a difference
in identity between two things <separate rooms>. DISCRETE strongly
emphasizes individuality and lack of connection <broke the job down
into discrete stages>. synonym see in addition EVIDENT


It _is_ a grey area.

Some people claim that the motherboard is the key component that
defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA does not make any
such distinction.

According to the EULA, an OEM license may not be transferred from
one distinct PC to another PC. However, this doesn't prevent one from
repairing/upgrading that PC.

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ to define when an
incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original computer.
The closest I've seen a Microsoft employee come to this definition is
to tell the person making the inquiry to consult the PC's
manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is solely the
responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine what sort
of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support
agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded
computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM
EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer.

If you've built the PC yourself, and used a generic OEM WinXP CD,
I'd have to conclude that *you* are the OEM, and *you* get to decide
when you're going to stop supporting the system and its OS.


Bruce Chambers

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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
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