re-installing XP Home

[Guest]

a couple of years ago I bought a PC with XP home preinstalled. Recently, my
motherboard and hard disk fried, and I tried to get a new one. The exact same
board was no longer available, but one that was compatible. The PC now boots
up and of course asks for an operating system. I can boot from the included
recovery CD, but then I get an error message. This message is created because
the hardware is not exactly the same as original (according to the
manufacturer). So, basically I can't install the OS I paid for because I had
to change the Motherboard, and I would have to buy a new OS. Does not seem
right to me, as I already paid for the OS.
I do have another set of XP Home CDs from another laptop that I am not
using, but I am not sure I can use those. I'll try.
What is Microsoft's policy regarding this? They take the money for the OS
and let me hang high and dry? Or is there a way to recover the use of the OS
if the OEM is not willing to do anything?

 

[Malke]

a couple of years ago I bought a PC with XP home preinstalled.
Recently, my motherboard and hard disk fried, and I tried to get a new
one. The exact same board was no longer available, but one that was
compatible. The PC now boots up and of course asks for an operating
system. I can boot from the included recovery CD, but then I get an
error message. This message is created because the hardware is not
exactly the same as original (according to the manufacturer). So,
basically I can't install the OS I paid for because I had to change
the Motherboard, and I would have to buy a new OS. Does not seem right
to me, as I already paid for the OS. I do have another set of XP Home
CDs from another laptop that I am not using, but I am not sure I can
use those. I'll try. What is Microsoft's policy regarding this? They
take the money for the OS and let me hang high and dry? Or is there a
way to recover the use of the OS if the OEM is not willing to do
anything?

You can't use the recovery disk because it is an image made for the old
hardware. You can't use the laptop OS because it is an OEM version made
for the laptop. OEM versions are tied to the hardware on which they are
first installed. You paid for an OEM operating system, so you are not
somehow being cheated out of an operating system although I understand
that it feels like that.

Your options are to either go to the store and purchase a full retail
version of XP for your new motherboard if that's what you want to run
or try another operating system such as Linux.

Malke

 

[DL]

MS didnt take any money from you, the supplier of your PC took money from
you.
An OEM version is tied to the PC it was supplied with. The PC dies so does
the OEM.
Your laptop xp is likely also an OEM version tied to the laptop, but you
should be able to tell by what it states on the CD
An OEM version is much cheaper than a retail version, which can be installed
wherever, within the EULA terms.

 

[Guest]

That IS ridiculous. My license to use the OS depends on the availability of
some chips or other hardware? How can Microsoft agree to that?

 

[Guest]

That is why I post earlier. Topic " Is it Legal"

In such a case, we have to find means to get hold of another CD with its
product key and install onto the system, thereafter use the Product Key
Update Tools to update the system back to its original Product key and get it
activated.

Note : Although using another CD with another different product key to
install on another PC is illegal, but at the end of the day, the same old PC
is still using its own original product key.

However I am not sure whether this procedure is legal or not and it seems
that nobody can or dare to give a direct answer.

 

[Guest]

If I don't really get what it mean on the MS SBL and offended anyone on this.
If so, I apologised in advance and hope someone can enlighten me.

In the MS SBL 4.1, " A fully assembled computer system" means a computer
system consisting of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a
hard drive, a power supply and a case.

1. If the system is under warranty and happen that the motherboard is
faulty. Does it mean that the license is no longer valid even the
manufacturer replaces the motherboard? If so, then replacing the board and
get the OS up again by the manufacturer is also consider illegal. PC Dies so
does the OEM.

2. As we all know, hard disk is the most vulnerable, subject to mechanical
as well as electronic wear and tear. If it happens that the hard disk
developed bad sectors, are you saying that we have to live with the bad
sectors and get ourselves frustrated working on the PC when we cannot change
the hard disk drive because PC dies so does the OEM.

3. What about Power Supply? If suddenly there is power surge and cause the
capacitor or the fuse to blow 1 week after we purchase the PC, does it mean
we have to buy another PC or replace a power supply and get a new OEM license?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Hmm, so Microsoft did not get any money? I think not.

"An OEM version is tied to the PC it was supplied with. The PC dies so does
the OEM."
But the PC is NOT dead. I just had to replace a part (Ok, an important part,
but a part nevertheless). Why does a replacement void my right to use the
software? Where does it stop? A new hard disk? New Memory? A new Modem? video
card? Do exchanges of all of these revoke my license? What about updates?


How about this: next time you fill up your car you lose the right to drive
it because the gasoline is from a different manufacturer. Doesn't sound
right, does it.

 

[Bob I]

Go tell that to the PC manufacturer, there is where you got the
operating system from. They provide the support. If they give you a
another license to work with the PC great, otherwise you need to get it
yourself. That's why it was OEM and packaged with the PC.

 

[Guest]

Hi Mikebo

I have the same frustration here, however the method I post earlier does
work, however I do not know whether this procedure of getting the PC up and
running with its original product key legal or illegal.

Please check out and let me know if you have an answer.

I post here because I am tired of calling and calling again when I get mixed
answer.

Regards

 

[Bob I]

The license is to to use the operating system under a particular set of
conditions. IF you can't or won't meet those conditions, then the
license is invalid. Take the issue up with the PC manufacturer, that is
where the license was acquired.

 

[Gary]

If you have a OEM version of windows then it its tied to a particular
motherboard. If that board dies and is replace with a different type you
loose your OEM license. That is why the OEM license is cheaper then a Retail
version. You get what you pay for. If you don't like it then spend the extra
cash and buy a Retail version and swap parts to your hearts content.

 

[Guest]

I have not tried, but what would my PC say (were it running) if I called up
the copyright and licenses to the software? Wouldn't it say Microsoft?

 

[Bob I]

This is a public newsgroup, peer to peer, nothing that has any legal
basis or standing anywhere. All you may get from this group is
considered opinion and recounting of past practice.

 

[Guest]

Or use Linux. I think I'll check that out.

If you have a OEM version of windows then it its tied to a particular
motherboard. If that board dies and is replace with a different type you
loose your OEM license. That is why the OEM license is cheaper then a Retail
version. You get what you pay for. If you don't like it then spend the extra
cash and buy a Retail version and swap parts to your hearts content.

 

[Guest]

Since yours is an OEM version, use the Product Key Update tools to change the
product key back to its original product key.

Thereafter after a restart, run the mdiag.exe and it will tell you that your
copy of OS is genuine.

Anyway these 2 tools are provided by microsoft.

 

[Bob I]

It doesn't really matter what it it says, (if you actually get around to
looking, you will find a lot of companies listed with Copyrights and
licensing in there). The OEM got a "block of licenses" from Microsoft,
and redistributed them, they are responsible for the care and support of
the end user. You may conjecture and suppose all you want, but you got
it from the PC vendor, talk to them.

 

[Guest]

I can't ask them now because I don't have all the information with me. But
they would surely say that they have to do what Microsoft tells them to do
with the OEM software.

But it doesn't matter. From everything I have heard here I am pretty
disappointed and will give Linux a try. At least they don't tie me to some
motherboard and let me hang out to dry.

 

[Guest]

If you go to a computer show or swap meet you can pick up a used retail
version of XP Home for $25 to $50 and use that to reinstall your OS, I do it
all the time. Just have to round up all the drivers not included.

Roy

 

[Bob I]

Not exactly sure why you are disappointed, you have what you were
entitled to. You are not "out" anything. You got a "cheap" copy of the
operating system to use as long as the PC lasted. The reason it was
"cheap" is because it's tied to the motherboard. You certainly may use
whatever operating system and licensing method suits your purpose and
pocketbook. Hang you out to dry? As soon as one IP suite prevails
against Linux, you are "hung out to dry", as there isn't anyone to turn
to. But enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Guest]

Whatever....

Not exactly sure why you are disappointed, you have what you were
entitled to. You are not "out" anything. You got a "cheap" copy of the
operating system to use as long as the PC lasted. The reason it was
"cheap" is because it's tied to the motherboard. You certainly may use
whatever operating system and licensing method suits your purpose and
pocketbook. Hang you out to dry? As soon as one IP suite prevails
against Linux, you are "hung out to dry", as there isn't anyone to turn
to. But enjoy it while it lasts.