uninstall and new install...

[Guest]

Hi, I would really like some help with this question. I have previously
installed a copy of windows xp pro on my old laptop that is no longer....well
with us.(fell of the balcony). I am currently building a new computer and
would like to use the same copy of windows for the new comp. is this
possible?

 

[Guest]

Upgrading some pc components would,but a diffrent pc,no.1 license per pc,
youre new pc will get recognized as being "not the same pc"...

 

[GHalleck]

Hi, I would really like some help with this question. I have previously
installed a copy of windows xp pro on my old laptop that is no longer....well
with us.(fell of the balcony). I am currently building a new computer and
would like to use the same copy of windows for the new comp. is this
possible?

Should be possible without any issues if the copy of Windows XP Pro is
a retail one.

 

[Alias]

Upgrading some pc components would,but a diffrent pc,no.1 license per pc,
youre new pc will get recognized as being "not the same pc"...

Yes, it is. If it's a retail copy, you can move it as much as you like
and still be in Redmond's good graces. If it's an generic OEM XP Pro
copy and it's been over 120 days since it was activated, it will
activate online. If it's been less than 120 days, you're not supposed to
move it to another computer and, if you want to anyway, you will have to
phone activate and not tell them you moved it but reinstalled it due to
viruses or some such.

If the copy of XP came with the laptop, it won't work.

 

[Daave]

Hi, I would really like some help with this question. I have
previously installed a copy of windows xp pro on my old laptop that
is no longer....well with us.(fell of the balcony). I am currently
building a new computer and would like to use the same copy of
windows for the new comp. is this possible?

You left out the most important information! (the type of XP CD)

If it's a retail disk, you're good to go.

If it's a generic OEM disk, you will be able to do it. However, the
license says you are not permitted to do it.

If it's a branded OEM disk, it won't work (especially if it was the disk
that came with the laptop).

 

[Paul Randall]

There is no 'one size fits all' answer.
Yes, it will probably work.
No, it may violate the EULA.
Yes, laws applicable in your area may make it legal, regardless of EULA
restrictions.

The first thing I would do is scan the certificate of authenticity on the
ruined laptop or find some way to keep the orginal COA, or perhaps you have
other proof of purchase for the product ID printed on that sticker. Use a
Sharpie pen to write that product ID number on the OS reinstallation media
that came with the ruined laptop. Also note the type of OS, meaning OEM,
full retail, retail upgrade, etc. If you only have a system restore disc,
then it will probably not restore properly on a different brand or model of
computer. If your system didn't come with an OS install disc, then you can
borrow one from a friend (just DON'T use the friend's product ID). Find a
CD with the same type of OS and install, using your ruined laptop's product
ID. If, when you correctly enter the product ID, it says it is invalid,
that generally means that you are trying to install the wrong type of OS for
that product ID.

Note that some OEM discs are internally branded in various ways. Some may
not install on a different brand or model of computer. Others may install
just fine if the brand matches (and may not require you to enter a product
ID, and may not require you to activate).

-Paul Randall

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Upgrading some pc components would,but a diffrent pc,no.1 license per pc,
youre new pc will get recognized as being "not the same pc"...

To BL:

Please ignore the ranting of Andrew E., our resident troll in these
newsgroups. His answers are almost never correct, and often dangerous.

In this case, his answer above, although not entirely wrong, is
incomplete, and could easily lead you to the wrong conclusion.

Here's the full correct answer:

There are two types of Windows licenses: Retail and OEM. OEM licenses
are those that come with the computer and also those which are sold
separately at a lower than retail price, usually with hardware.

If yours is a retail copy of Windows, there is no problem at all. You
may not have it installed on moire than one computer at once, but you
always free to take it off one computer and move it to another. You
can do that as often as you need or want to.

However OEM copies come with several restrictions, the most severe of
which is that its license ties it permanently to the first computer
it's installed on. It can never legally be moved to another computer,
sold, or given away. If the computer dies the license to use Windows
dies with it. This is one of the main reasons that OEM versions are
less expensive than retail versions.

Over and above that licensing issue, there is another potential issue
with OEM versions--they are often BIOS-locked to the motherboard. If
that's the case with your copy, it will not work at all on a different
computer.

So if your laptop came with Windows XP, you're out of luck. But if it
came with an earlier version of Windows, and you upgraded to XP with a
retail version, yes, you *can* reuse your copy.