upgrading system

[Tim Meddick]

Smirnoff,
Oh! - That one! - It's not there anymore. That IS a very old
picture. About two-and-a-half years ago, they were trying to 'refurbish' it
and they took it down to it's bare shell. Well, the place just collapsed
one day, after a lorry hit the side of it, it all came down and that was
that. They built something entirely new there now, residential [flats] I
think. I remember it because it's got the year stamped on it's exterior -
2006

 

[Bruce_NKT]

The fact that it was installed manually is completely irrelevant to
your question.




Three important questions for you:

1. Is the XP CD a retail copy or an OEM one? If it's retail, there are
no issues at all. If it's OEM, read on.

2. If it's OEM, is it a generic OEM CD or a specific one for your make
of computer (such as Dell)? If it's specific, almost certainly it will
not work after you do the hardware upgrade.

3. Exactly what do you mean by "completely upgrade the system"? OEM
licenses are permanently tied to the first computer they are installed
and they can never legally be moved to another. You are asking about
what you call "the new system." You can make a lot of changes, but if
you change so much that it's truly a new system, you may not use your
OEM version on it.

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the info.

Yes, it's specific: Dell

And yes, the upgrade I have in mind is virtually a new system.

So I think my situation can be now roughly summed up in one word:

"Bugger"

Best wishes

Bruce

 

[Daave]

Hi Ken,

Thanks for the info.

Yes, it's specific: Dell

And yes, the upgrade I have in mind is virtually a new system.

So I think my situation can be now roughly summed up in one word:

"Bugger"

What do you mean by "virtually new"? Is this PC built by a System
Builder? Or do you mean it's newly acquired? If the latter, what is the
make and model and is there a Cerificate of Authenticity sticker on it?
(What I'm trying to get at: Maybe this "virtually new system" already
has a license to run Windows XP. If so, you don't need to buy a new
license. If it's another Dell, the old Dell installation CD should
work.)

 

[Smirnoff]

Sounds like "All our yesterdays" doesn't it?. Anyway, it was nice change
to chat about something local on the www.

Good luck.

Smirnoff,
Oh! - That one! - It's not there anymore. That IS a very
old picture. About two-and-a-half years ago, they were trying to
'refurbish' it and they took it down to it's bare shell. Well, the
place just collapsed one day, after a lorry hit the side of it, it all
came down and that was that. They built something entirely new there
now, residential [flats] I think. I remember it because it's got the
year stamped on it's exterior - 2006
--

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/1754700

 

[Bruce_NKT]

What do you mean by "virtually new"? Is this PC built by a System
Builder? Or do you mean it's newly acquired? If the latter, what is the
make and model and is there a Cerificate of Authenticity sticker on it?
(What I'm trying to get at: Maybe this "virtually new system" already
has a license to run Windows XP. If so, you don't need to buy a new
license. If it's another Dell, the old Dell installation CD should
work.)

Hi Daave

Ideally it will be from a System Builder; the options I've got include
Windows Vista but I'd rather stick with XP if I can.

I have to say I find Microsoft's attitude to Dell Discs pretty s*****; as
far as I'm concerned I bought it and so should be able to use it on any pc I
like - if I bought a car from Ford I'd be pretty annoyed if they said that
as I was moving to another town I could no longer drive it.

Best wishes


Bruce

 

[Tim Meddick]

If the Operating System [and] disk came with the PC it's linked to that PC
and cannot be ported to another without paying for it's activation with
Microsoft. If you bought a 'off the shelf' Windows Installation Disk, then
you may put it on to your new computer, so long as it's only in use on ONE
computer at a time.

 

[Mike Torello]

If the Operating System [and] disk came with the PC it's linked to that PC
and cannot be ported to another without paying for it's activation with
Microsoft.

Actually, that is untrue. 1) It is probably BIOS-locked to the
original PC and won't even install, and 2) One cannot pay for
activation other than by purchasing a new disc, besides which,
Microsoft will have nothing to do with an OEM branded install disc.

 

[Daave]

Hi Daave

Ideally it will be from a System Builder;

"Will be?" I was under the impression you already had a PC!

the options I've got
include Windows Vista but I'd rather stick with XP if I can.

No, if someone is building you a PC, you also have the option of
installing XP on it if that is what you wish. And as long as the
hardware supports it and you don't want Vista, why waste money
purchasing Vista? Just purchase XP instead! Here's one place you can get
it from:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511

I have to say I find Microsoft's attitude to Dell Discs pretty
s*****;

Microsoft doesn't even come into the equation here. Dell is the OEM;
they decide how their disks are used. If they want to physically lock
them to specific motherboards, that is their decision.

as far as I'm concerned I bought it and so should be able to
use it on any pc I like - if I bought a car from Ford I'd be pretty
annoyed if they said that as I was moving to another town I could no
longer drive it.

It seems like you are confusing a Retail version of XP with an OEM
version of XP. The Retail version *is* transferrable. The OEM version is
not transferrable per the EULA, but it is also much cheaper! Ya get what
ya pay for!

 

[Tim Meddick]

My Dell OEM disk has installed successfully on numerous machines for the
usual 30-day Microsoft-approved trial period. If one wishes to use this
type of installation beyond the 30-day limit, contacting Microsoft for
product 'Activation' is required. This is done via a popup interface that
asks you for your activation code. It states that if you have not got a
code for you to purchase one by phoning Microsoft. It then provides
telephone numbers for Microsoft in the appropriate countries. I have taken
this as standard behaviour for all OEM disks as others have reported the
same. While it may well identify the system by means of a comparison of
the BIOS code, on what are you basing your statement upon that it will not
install on other machines?

--

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

If the Operating System [and] disk came with the PC it's linked to that PC
and cannot be ported to another without paying for it's activation with
Microsoft.

Actually, that is untrue. 1) It is probably BIOS-locked to the
original PC and won't even install, and 2) One cannot pay for
activation other than by purchasing a new disc, besides which,
Microsoft will have nothing to do with an OEM branded install disc.

If you bought a 'off the shelf' Windows Installation Disk, then
you may put it on to your new computer, so long as it's only in use on ONE
computer at a time.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have to say I find Microsoft's attitude to Dell Discs pretty s*****; as
far as I'm concerned I bought it and so should be able to use it on any pc I
like ...

What6 you bought -- from Dell, not Microsoft -- was a license
(permission, in simpler terms) to use Dell's implementation of the OS on
Dell's, and only Dell's, computers. You did not pay the much higher
price for the transferable retail license.

- if I bought a car from Ford I'd be pretty annoyed if they said that
as I was moving to another town I could no longer drive it.

If you're going to use an automotive analogy, you should try one that's
at least similar to what you want to do, which is pay for one set of
license plates (the registration) and then move them to a different car.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

While it may well identify the system by means of a comparison of
the BIOS code, on what are you basing your statement upon that it will not
install on other machines?

Many, if not most, computer manufacturers lock their OEM
installation/recovery media down to the point that those disks simply
cannot be used on a different platform. I've even encountered one
instance where the OEM's installation CD would not work on the very
machine with which it was purchased, because the amount of RAM installed
had changed from the factory-issued state.

Dell has been somewhat inconsistent in this practice, depending upon
where the machine is being marketed, and the local laws that pertain.
Sometimes Dell media can be used just as you've said, and sometimes not.
It even used to be just as you've described here in the US, but no longer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Tim Meddick]

So when Mike Torello said "Not true" there were exceptions that 'allow' me
NOT to be talking out of my ass? I don't lie, I have nothing to prove but
my integrity. The Dell disk does work as I said it did, only for the
30-days. And there must be others but I accept Bruces point that this is
probably linked to what country you are in more than anything else.

 

[Mike Torello]

My Dell OEM disk has installed successfully on numerous machines for the
usual 30-day Microsoft-approved trial period. If one wishes to use this
type of installation beyond the 30-day limit, contacting Microsoft for
product 'Activation' is required. This is done via a popup interface that
asks you for your activation code. It states that if you have not got a
code for you to purchase one by phoning Microsoft. It then provides
telephone numbers for Microsoft in the appropriate countries. I have taken
this as standard behaviour for all OEM disks as others have reported the
same.

It is absolutely NOT "standard behaviour for all OEM disks [sic]." It
appears to be something particular to Dell in the U.K. - which is no
longer the center of Western civilization, in case you haven't heard.

 

[Bruce_NKT]

"Will be?" I was under the impression you already had a PC!


No, if someone is building you a PC, you also have the option of
installing XP on it if that is what you wish. And as long as the
hardware supports it and you don't want Vista, why waste money
purchasing Vista? Just purchase XP instead! Here's one place you can get
it from:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511


Microsoft doesn't even come into the equation here. Dell is the OEM;
they decide how their disks are used. If they want to physically lock
them to specific motherboards, that is their decision.


It seems like you are confusing a Retail version of XP with an OEM
version of XP. The Retail version *is* transferrable. The OEM version is
not transferrable per the EULA, but it is also much cheaper! Ya get what
ya pay for!

Hi Daave

Thanks for that; I do have a pc, but it is old and playing up and at first I
just thought of replacing certain components (cpu, hard drive, graphics card)
but then the problem became a sort of 'galloping tumour' so I've sort of
arrived at the conclusion that a whole new pc is required.

I see what you're all saying about the problem being with Dell rather than
Microsoft, so I'll save my cold shoulder routine for the next Dell employee I
meet in the pub.

Best wishes

Bruce

 

[Bob I]

:




Hi Daave

Ideally it will be from a System Builder; the options I've got include
Windows Vista but I'd rather stick with XP if I can.

I have to say I find Microsoft's attitude to Dell Discs pretty s*****; as
far as I'm concerned I bought it and so should be able to use it on any pc I
like - if I bought a car from Ford I'd be pretty annoyed if they said that
as I was moving to another town I could no longer drive it.

Think of it as a NON-TRANFERABLE LIFETIME WARRANTY. Pretty simple
concept, if you want transfer rights, they cost more. You didn't pay for
them, you aren't entitled to them.

 

[Bruce_NKT]

Think of it as a NON-TRANFERABLE LIFETIME WARRANTY. Pretty simple
concept, if you want transfer rights, they cost more. You didn't pay for
them, you aren't entitled to them.

Bloody red tape, lol