reactivation of OEM XP

[Guest]

My daughters computer recently had a complete hard drive failure and I lost
everything on the drive. Fortunately, I had her data backed-up on my home
network.

This PC is 5 years old and I have decided no to invest additional funds
needed to repair it. I am currently looking to purchase a used Compaq laptop
for her that has no operating system installed on it.

My question is this....Can I reactivate a OEM version of XP that I
purchased when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC?

I assure you this license key is no longer installed on any other PC at this
time.

Money is really tight at this time and I feel it is unfair to be required to
purchase new XP license when I own a XP license that no longer being used.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Q. Can I reactivate a OEM version of XP that I
purchased when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC?

A. No. An OEM Windows operating system may never be transferred
from the PC it was originally installed, even if it is no longer in use.
Only a "Retail Version" of Windows may be transferred and reactivated
on a different PC.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| My daughters computer recently had a complete hard drive failure and I lost
| everything on the drive. Fortunately, I had her data backed-up on my home
| network.
|
| This PC is 5 years old and I have decided no to invest additional funds
| needed to repair it. I am currently looking to purchase a used Compaq laptop
| for her that has no operating system installed on it.
|
| My question is this....Can I reactivate a OEM version of XP that I
| purchased when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC?
|
| I assure you this license key is no longer installed on any other PC at this
| time.
|
| Money is really tight at this time and I feel it is unfair to be required to
| purchase new XP license when I own a XP license that no longer being used.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

When you say "when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC" what exactly
do you mean? Did you buy the retail version of upgrade software? If so
then you can install it on other system and activate it. OEM versions
don't come in upgrade versions generally. I don't know anything about
generic versions of OEM software.

If, however, the OS is OEM then you can't as it is locked with the first
system.

In all probability, you can try to install and activate it online and/or
by telephone and see what happens. It is doesn't activate, you will
need to buy another OS and another OEM version would suffice if the
funds are hard for you at the moment.

hth

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My daughters computer recently had a complete hard drive failure and
I lost everything on the drive. Fortunately, I had her data backed-up
on my home network.

This PC is 5 years old and I have decided no to invest additional
funds needed to repair it. I am currently looking to purchase a used
Compaq laptop for her that has no operating system installed on it.

My question is this....Can I reactivate a OEM version of XP that I
purchased when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC?

If it's an OEM version, no. An OEM license ties it permanently to the first
computer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved to another
computer, separately sold, or given away. That's perhaps the biggest
disadvantage of an OEM version, and is one of the main reasons it costs
significantly less than a retail version.

On the other hand, you say that you used an OEM Version to upgrade. OEM
versions do clean installations only, and can't do upgrades. Are you sure
yours is an OEM version?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

A limitation of an OEM license is that it cannot be moved to new hardware,
it's one of the reasons that it is cheaper than a retail version. So they
aren't really that much of a savings when it comes to the long run. Anyhow,
I would try installing and activating it, at worst it gets refused and you
have to purchase an new copy. At best, you get lucky and it activates. Only
other thing to mention is that Compaq laptops often use hardware that
rerequires drivers not found in generic retail and OEM versions, you may
need to see if you can get them from the HP/Compaq site.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Talahasee]

My daughters computer recently had a complete hard drive failure and I lost
everything on the drive. Fortunately, I had her data backed-up on my home
network.

This PC is 5 years old and I have decided no to invest additional funds
needed to repair it. I am currently looking to purchase a used Compaq laptop
for her that has no operating system installed on it.

My question is this....Can I reactivate a OEM version of XP that I
purchased when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC?

I assure you this license key is no longer installed on any other PC at this
time.

Money is really tight at this time and I feel it is unfair to be required to
purchase new XP license when I own a XP license that no longer being used.

If you MUST buy another copy of XP, (I don't know the ins
and out, sorry), be sure to look on Ebay. Though many will
say it's not reliable, I disagree. They have not read Ebay's
policy on bootlegged software. I got my XP Pro on Ebay for
under $60, registered it, AND validated it. I've been using
it for some 6 months now, have done a dozen installs (I tend
to format about once a month to keep everything clean), and
I have now validated it about 6 times.

No problem.

IF you decide to go with Ebay, do a search for "XP Pro" or
"XP Home" whichever you wish, and then look for the "Buy It
Now" option. I saw XP Pro on Ebay last night for $80.

Just be sure you clarify elsewhere that a retail copy is
what you want.


Good luck!


Tallahassee

 

[Alias]

If you MUST buy another copy of XP, (I don't know the ins
and out, sorry), be sure to look on Ebay. Though many will
say it's not reliable, I disagree. They have not read Ebay's
policy on bootlegged software. I got my XP Pro on Ebay for
under $60, registered it, AND validated it. I've been using
it for some 6 months now, have done a dozen installs (I tend
to format about once a month to keep everything clean), and
I have now validated it about 6 times.

You *registered* it 6 times? LOL! Registration is one, not necessary,
and, two, won't activate your XP. How did you register your copy, John?

No problem.

Reinstalling Windows six times is "no problem"? LOL! And you think you
can give advice on this group?

IF you decide to go with Ebay, do a search for "XP Pro" or
"XP Home" whichever you wish, and then look for the "Buy It
Now" option. I saw XP Pro on Ebay last night for $80.

And pray you don't get ripped off.

Just be sure you clarify elsewhere that a retail copy is
what you want.


Good luck!


Tallahassee

So, you haven't figured out how to find a chat room yet, eh?

Alias

 

[Frank]

My daughters computer recently had a complete hard drive failure
and I lost everything on the drive. Fortunately, I had her data
backed-up on my home network.

This PC is 5 years old and I have decided no to invest additional
funds needed to repair it. I am currently looking to purchase a
used Compaq laptop for her that has no operating system installed
on it.

My question is this....Can I reactivate a OEM version of XP that
I purchased when I upgraded the OS on the now broken PC?

I assure you this license key is no longer installed on any other
PC at this time.

Money is really tight at this time and I feel it is unfair to be
required to purchase new XP license when I own a XP license that no
longer being used.

I used the same OEM XP CD slipstreamed through 5 motherboard upgrades.
Your problem will be finding drivers for the Compaq hardware.

 

[NoStop]

If you MUST buy another copy of XP, (I don't know the ins
and out, sorry), be sure to look on Ebay. Though many will
say it's not reliable, I disagree. They have not read Ebay's
policy on bootlegged software. I got my XP Pro on Ebay for
under $60, registered it, AND validated it. I've been using
it for some 6 months now, have done a dozen installs (I tend
to format about once a month to keep everything clean),

What!?! What a freaking idiot! "clean"? Just because it's called "Windows"
doesn't mean you should take the term literally and think it requires
"cleaning" on a regular basis.

Good luck!

You're the guy that certainly looks like he needs luck as it is obvious that
technically you are quite challenged.