Reinstalling Windows XP on another computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lawino
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Lawino

My computer installed with Windows XP version broke down
recently. I would like to purchase new hardware and
install it with the Windows XP cd-rom I got from the
purchase of the first computer.

Is this a legitimate action and how do I activate Windows
XP on the new computer again? Do I have to buy a new
Windows license for the new computer?

Thank you for answering my questions.

Best,

Lawino
 
Lawino said:
My computer installed with Windows XP version broke down
recently. I would like to purchase new hardware and
install it with the Windows XP cd-rom I got from the
purchase of the first computer.

Is this a legitimate action and how do I activate Windows
XP on the new computer again? Do I have to buy a new
Windows license for the new computer?

Thank you for answering my questions.
Click to expand...

If the copy of XP you received/bought for the first computer is a RETAIL
copy and not an OEM copy, then yes - you are within your full "legal" rights
to install it on the second computer given that it is now non-functional on
the first computer.

However, if you received the copy of Windows XP with the computer and that
copy of Windows XP came on some cardboard strip wrapped in plastic (not
inside a box way too big for it) and perhaps your CD says OEM or something
like that on it - no. That copy/license of Windows XP was dead when your
machine died... According to the EULA.

There is much debate on these newsgroups about the legality/morality of the
EULA and you may get some spirited responses in either direction.
Technically, you could install that copy on another machine either way and
likely, through luck/manipulation, never have any problem.
 
If your broken computer came with Windows XP
preinstalled, it is an OEM version that cannot be
installed, or activated, on a different computer.
If that is the case, then you'll have to purchase a
"Full Version" of Windows XP for your new computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| My computer installed with Windows XP version broke down
| recently. I would like to purchase new hardware and
| install it with the Windows XP cd-rom I got from the
| purchase of the first computer.
|
| Is this a legitimate action and how do I activate Windows
| XP on the new computer again? Do I have to buy a new
| Windows license for the new computer?
|
| Thank you for answering my questions.
|
| Best,
|
| Lawino
 
Greetings --

Based upon the description you've provided, you have an OEM
license for WinXP. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of
hardware (normally a motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire PC)
and is _permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's installed.
An OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another
computer under _any_ circumstances.

You'll need to acquire a new WinXP License for the new computer.

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
 
Carey said:
If your broken computer came with Windows XP
preinstalled, it is an OEM version that cannot be
installed, or activated, on a different computer.
If that is the case, then you'll have to purchase a
"Full Version" of Windows XP for your new computer.
Click to expand...


You know, Carey - I have an issue with that one line there:
"If your broken computer came with Windows XP preinstalled, it is an OEM
version that cannot be installed, or activated, on a different computer."

That is not necessarily true. Some years ago I owned a small computer
company that put together computers from parts and installed operating
systems on them. Being small, it was easy and I felt, better for me to
purchase the full versions of the software (not OEM) in order to perpetuate
the fact I was indeed giving the customer something they would not get from
the larger chains. I would explain the slight price increase to the
customers (if they wondered or knew enough to ask) and why Retail was better
than OEM and I never had one leave because of it. However, when they got
their computer, the OS was preinstalled under their name. So there is a
prime example (in my opinion) of how someone could get a preinstalled OS on
a computer and it NOT be OEM.

If the OPs say something like "on my Dell.." or "On my Compaq..", then I
make the same assumption as you - OEM all the way - sorry you have to buy a
new license. However, I cannot make the same assumption if they do not
mention a manufacturer, as my experience leads me to believe anything is
possible.

Please note that I say this with NO disrespect meant, just pointing out that
a statement I read in your post seemed possibly inaccurate, though
most-likely true 95% or more of the time. I have full respect for your
knowledge and skills here, and in fact, if I did not have this respect, I
likely would never point this out. =)
 
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