Will I be able to activate XP on my sister's computer?

[Guest]

I'm currently running Windows XP and my sister is running Windows ME. I just picked up Windows Small Business Server 2003 and am going to wipe my hard drive and do a clean install of Server 2003. After I do that, can I legally give my copy of XP to my sister, and will she be able to activate it on her computer

-- Rich

 

[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

 

[Richard Klein]

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.

Thanks for the reply, Bruce. It's the OEM version of XP, so I guess
the CD will essentially become a drink coaster once I install a
different OS on this PC, right? What a waste.

-- Rich

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I'm afraid so, for now anyway. It can always be reinstalled at a
later date. However, if you ever do wish to sell/donate that PC, your
can transfer its OEM OS to the new owner along with the 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

 

[CS]

Thanks for the reply, Bruce. It's the OEM version of XP, so I guess
the CD will essentially become a drink coaster once I install a
different OS on this PC, right? What a waste.

-- Rich

It's only a waste if you buy into what you've been told. What you
received from Mr. Chambers is the standard MS apologetic answer in
accordance with the so called restrictions of their EULA. Just do
what you feel is right. Why should you have to pay for another
license? For more advice on this subject go to:

www.microscum.com

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

How on earth do you determine that reminding people of the terms
of the EULA to which they've already agreed is "apologetic?" And why
do you think advocating lying, breach of contract, and software
piracy, as you and Kurttrail do, is a superior course of action?
Granted, personal integrity does seem unfashionable today, but the
alternative is simply deplorable and uncivilised.


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'm currently running Windows XP and my sister is running Windows ME. I just picked up Windows Small Business Server 2003 and am going to wipe my hard drive and do a clean install of Server 2003. After I do that, can I legally give my copy of XP to my sister, and will she be able to activate it on her computer?

Provided that it is a retail copy, and not one of the OEM ones sold with
hardware you can transfer it. OEM ones are licensed solely to the
machine where first installed. 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

But note - 2003 server is a *server* system and does not support a lot
of the facilities of a 'client' system like Win XP. Make sure it will
suit your purpose. There was a tendency in Win2000 for people to look
at the Win2000 Server as a sort of macho system to use: this is not true
of the XP vs 2003 server comparison