Transfer PRO license to HOME box..

[David Whitney]

Hi..

I have a legal, licensed copy of XP Pro on a laptop that was
pronounced dead by a tech last week (dead motherboard, but the HD is
OK). I've ordered a new laptop that will have XP Pro already
installed, so I want to transfer that license to a different machine -
but I can't uninstall XP off of the original machine.

Can I just install it and use the activation from it to reregister
(given the rumored 120-day window - its been two years since I got the
laptop), or will I need to call MS, or ????

Thanks in advance,
David

 

[luminos]

Call MS.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not transferable),
simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on, and install
it onto the new one. If it's been more than 120 days since you last
activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to
activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you
might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


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

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a legal, licensed copy of XP Pro on a laptop that was
pronounced dead by a tech last week (dead motherboard, but the HD is
OK). I've ordered a new laptop that will have XP Pro already
installed, so I want to transfer that license to a different machine -
but I can't uninstall XP off of the original machine.

If it came installed on the dead machine it was an OEM license that dies
with the machine. If it was a proper retail one (not cheaper OEM sold
with hardware) you can transfer it. As it is effectively uninstalled by
the machine failing, you just go ahead and install; When it comes to
activation, if it is more than 120 days since you last did it, you will
find it will go through on the net just like first time. If not, you
will have to phone a toll-free number that will be given, to explain and
swap one long number for another to check back as you type it in

 

[David Whitney]

All:

Thanks for the input...here are a few details:

* The XP Pro license is my own, personal, full retail license -- not
an OEM.

* The box on which it is installed is DEAD - can't uninstall.

* The XP Pro license was activated 1-2 years ago.

Based on what you're telling me, I think I'm in good shape to put it
on whatever machine I choose.

Thanks,
-David

 

[Alex Nichol]

Thanks for the input...here are a few details:

* The XP Pro license is my own, personal, full retail license -- not
an OEM.

* The box on which it is installed is DEAD - can't uninstall.

* The XP Pro license was activated 1-2 years ago.

Based on what you're telling me, I think I'm in good shape to put it
on whatever machine I choose.

You are indeed