So let me get this straight.. another activation question

[Guest]

I bought a OEM version of Win XP Home w/SP1 off of ebay. I received a piece
of hardware as per ebay/Microsoft regulations for the transaction. I am
building a new pc with a new cpu, motherboard, and ram, using My old HDD,
both dvd and dvd/rw drives. Can someone tell me where I stand on
re-activation? As I remember, I received a cdrom cable as my hardware with
this purchase. I had to re-format and install XP Home at the end of Jan/05
due to a problem and activation went thru no problem. I have this feeling I
am screwed and have to buy another copy of XP. Is there not anything that can
be done to not have to do this. I went thru the automated help to get my 2
free requests for help but looks like they want me to pay for that also.
thanks for your time

slotcarz

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The license for an OEM version of Windows XP is tied forever to
the first computer it was installed and activated on. If you make a
major hardware change, such as installing an entirely different motherboard,
the license is no longer valid. That is one reason OEM versions cost less...
no support directly from Microsoft.

A "retail version" of Windows XP is what you need if future
hardware upgrades are anticipated.

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| I bought a OEM version of Win XP Home w/SP1 off of ebay. I received a piece
| of hardware as per ebay/Microsoft regulations for the transaction. I am
| building a new pc with a new cpu, motherboard, and ram, using My old HDD,
| both dvd and dvd/rw drives. Can someone tell me where I stand on
| re-activation? As I remember, I received a cdrom cable as my hardware with
| this purchase. I had to re-format and install XP Home at the end of Jan/05
| due to a problem and activation went thru no problem. I have this feeling I
| am screwed and have to buy another copy of XP. Is there not anything that can
| be done to not have to do this. I went thru the automated help to get my 2
| free requests for help but looks like they want me to pay for that also.
| thanks for your time
|
| slotcarz

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Sadly, OEM copies are generally tied to the system they are first activated
on and cannot be moved to a new one. While this is not universal, that is
the way it is most of the time. This restriction is one of the reasons why
they are cheaper than retail versions. A new cpu and motherboard is
essentially a new system, and you will likely not be able to activate it.
This is really a case of "you get what you pay for".

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Kenny S]

I have heard that some people sell OEM versions with hardware like a cable
or a mouse.... so what motherboard you have is irrelevent

 

[Guest]

Thanks for replying so fast. I can now say I really know the difference
between OEM and retail. That is one thing that is not stressed at ebay on
these auctions and that should be changed.
I unfortunatly will have to pay the price on this mistake.
thanks again,
slotcarz

 

[Kenny S]

I disagree with rogers... they are not always tied to a "system" rather to
a specific hardware.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It may be irrelevant to the sale but it is very relevant to the license if
sufficient hardware is changed.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

They have to be sold with a piece of hardware, but activation is tied to a
system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Frankly, I'd try it first before spending the money on another copy. You
have nothing to lose by doing so.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It may not be a mistake, but there might have been a better choice. I would
rather have a regualr OEM cd than just a reinstall cd. I prefer the retail
versions of Windows simply because I do frequenly use PSS. It has been
worth it me so far.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

How are you going to tie activation to a power cord or a non-functioning
memory stick?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I disagree with rogers... they are not always tied to a "system" rather to
a specific hardware.

Wrong. Read an OEM EULA, why don't you?

--

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

 

[Guest]

Yes my current pc is a compaq that only had a reinstall disk. I bought the
OEM version and formatted with only xp instead of all that mumbojumbo from
Compaq. I have changed dvd drives, new ram, video card and never had a
problem. I would hope that Microsoft would accept a new activation on an OS
that you have registered with them. Being that the PC is a constant upgrade
year after year or month after month and most people can't always afford $200
if they already own a licence and the old pc goes via the way of the junk
pile.
thanks all for your imput!

It may not be a mistake, but there might have been a better choice. I would
rather have a regualr OEM cd than just a reinstall cd. I prefer the retail
versions of Windows simply because I do frequenly use PSS. It has been
worth it me so far.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Thanks for replying so fast. I can now say I really know the difference
between OEM and retail. That is one thing that is not stressed at ebay on
these auctions and that should be changed.
I unfortunatly will have to pay the price on this mistake.
thanks again,
slotcarz

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I bought a OEM version of Win XP Home w/SP1 off of ebay. I received a piece
of hardware as per ebay/Microsoft regulations for the transaction. I am
building a new pc with a new cpu, motherboard, and ram, using My old HDD,
both dvd and dvd/rw drives. Can someone tell me where I stand on
re-activation? As I remember, I received a cdrom cable as my hardware with
this purchase. I had to re-format and install XP Home at the end of Jan/05
due to a problem and activation went thru no problem. I have this feeling I
am screwed and have to buy another copy of XP. Is there not anything that can
be done to not have to do this. I went thru the automated help to get my 2
free requests for help but looks like they want me to pay for that also.
thanks for your time

slotcarz

The operative words in you post may be "... building a new pc...."

However, you will also be transferring some of the hardware
components (something more significant than a case screw or power cord)
from the old PC to the new PC. Will you also be using the same case?
So, your actions could possibly be construed as a hardware upgrade,
rather than as a "new computer." Additionally, you'll have entered a
grey area in the OEM EULA.

According to the EULA, an OEM license may not be transferred from
one distinct PC to another PC. However, this most emphatically does not
prohibit one from repairing or upgrading the PC on which an OEM license
is installed.

Now, some people believe that the motherboard is the key component
that defines the "original computer," but the OEM EULA does not make any
such distinction. Others have said that one could successfully argue
that it's the PC's case that is the deciding component, as that is where
one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key. Again, the
EULA does not specifically define any single component as the computer.

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ publicly to define
when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original
computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to this
definition (in a public forum) 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 system yourself, and used a generic OEM CD, then _you_ are the
"OEM," and _you_ get to decide when you'll no longer support your product."


--

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

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Just a note. The user registers himself as an owner of an OS and it isn't
necessary to register four times if you own four copies of the same OS.
Activation ties a copy of the OS to a machine and it is necessary to
activate four times if you have installed each of four copies on each of
four machines. Just some semantics.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Yes my current pc is a compaq that only had a reinstall disk. I bought the
OEM version and formatted with only xp instead of all that mumbojumbo from
Compaq. I have changed dvd drives, new ram, video card and never had a
problem. I would hope that Microsoft would accept a new activation on an
OS
that you have registered with them. Being that the PC is a constant
upgrade
year after year or month after month and most people can't always afford
$200
if they already own a licence and the old pc goes via the way of the junk
pile.
thanks all for your imput!

It may not be a mistake, but there might have been a better choice. I
would
rather have a regualr OEM cd than just a reinstall cd. I prefer the
retail
versions of Windows simply because I do frequenly use PSS. It has been
worth it me so far.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Thanks for replying so fast. I can now say I really know the difference
between OEM and retail. That is one thing that is not stressed at ebay
on
these auctions and that should be changed.
I unfortunatly will have to pay the price on this mistake.
thanks again,
slotcarz

:

Hi,

Sadly, OEM copies are generally tied to the system they are first
activated
on and cannot be moved to a new one. While this is not universal, that
is
the way it is most of the time. This restriction is one of the reasons
why
they are cheaper than retail versions. A new cpu and motherboard is
essentially a new system, and you will likely not be able to activate
it.
This is really a case of "you get what you pay for".

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I bought a OEM version of Win XP Home w/SP1 off of ebay. I received a
piece
of hardware as per ebay/Microsoft regulations for the transaction. I
am
building a new pc with a new cpu, motherboard, and ram, using My old
HDD,
both dvd and dvd/rw drives. Can someone tell me where I stand on
re-activation? As I remember, I received a cdrom cable as my
hardware
with
this purchase. I had to re-format and install XP Home at the end of
Jan/05
due to a problem and activation went thru no problem. I have this
feeling
I
am screwed and have to buy another copy of XP. Is there not anything
that
can
be done to not have to do this. I went thru the automated help to
get
my 2
free requests for help but looks like they want me to pay for that
also.
thanks for your time

slotcarz

 

[Guest]

Um .. Wow Bruce!
I am going balls to wall (sorta I guess),
- P4 HT 3 Ghz Prescott cpu, (need a new board for it)
- ASRock P4V88 RAID VIA PT880 Chipset Motherboard ( cheaper but I'm sure it
will work ok)(so new memory)
- 512 mb DDR333 ram
- new case to accomodate the new mix and heat off this bad boy..
so yes I have bought a new case..

Using from old pc
- 40 GB HDD
- DVD rom
- DVD/RW
- floppy drive
- radeon 9200 video card
- sound blaster card

I can see that the OS locks itself but like said above, I got a piece of
wire for my "hardware requirement". Maybe the seller is at fault on that one
but I'm sure it wasn't enforced like it should be or pull it all off of ebay
and not let it be sold as it probably was sold with a pc at some point before
it got to ebay.
oh well..live and learn right??
cya

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No. At activation the tool takes a snapshot of the hardware and it does not
know nor care when or how that hardware configuration came to be. It only
cares if later changes render the configuration in that first snapshot
"unrecognizable" as the same machine. See:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302806
and the links at the end of the article. Some components are weighted more
heavily than others. The total score is ten. Changing the NIC carries the
severist hit at three points.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

My original post is entirely relevant to your issue.

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

|I have heard that some people sell OEM versions with hardware like a cable
| or a mouse.... so what motherboard you have is irrelevent

 

[Guest]

Kenny, you just don't understand . . .

-----Original Message-----
I have heard that some people sell OEM versions with hardware like a cable
or a mouse.... so what motherboard you have is irrelevent


http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.ms
px


.

 

[BBUNNY]

I have used my XP Pro OEM down through three MB's and CPUS's.
They activated over the net. Period. You may have to call since it
lhas
been such a short time. 120 days since installs prevents any problems.
Incidently it is illegal for any of these people to give legal advice
without
passing the bar. The EULA is a very vague _contract_ which would be
covered by an attorney specializing in contract law, _Not an MVP.

slotcarz wrote:
| Thanks for replying so fast. I can now say I really know the
| difference between OEM and retail. That is one thing that is not
| stressed at ebay on these auctions and that should be changed.
| I unfortunatly will have to pay the price on this mistake.
| thanks again,
| slotcarz
|
| "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" wrote:
|
|| Hi,
||
|| Sadly, OEM copies are generally tied to the system they are first
|| activated on and cannot be moved to a new one. While this is not
|| universal, that is the way it is most of the time. This restriction
|| is one of the reasons why they are cheaper than retail versions. A
|| new cpu and motherboard is essentially a new system, and you will
|| likely not be able to activate it. This is really a case of "you get
|| what you pay for".