Win XP licensing question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Terry
  • Start date Start date
T

Terry

I recently found out about the "one operating system, one
computer" policy, the fact that Msoft limits the
activation of Windows XP--purchased legally--to
installation on one & only one machine. Here's my
question: What if the machine that I install XP on today
burns out a week from now? The going price at the IT
store in my neighborhood for Win XP Pro is $300.00+tx. I
find it very difficult to believe that a company as
affluent as Microsoft would not have a policy in place
to "cut some slack" to customers who've paid the serious
bucks for their op system software and then suffer the
misfortune of having something else (e.g., mobo, cpu,
etc) going out. I'm very much looking forward to an
answer on this one.
Thanks for your time & attention to detail [:-)

Terry.
 
A "Retail Version" of Windows XP may be transferred and activated
on a different computer after first removing it (via reformat) from
the original computer. An "OEM Version" is the version that cannot
be transferred to a different computer.

Product Activation FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp

How do I "deactivate", move to another computer or sell a previously activated XP?
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#how2

Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm


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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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|I recently found out about the "one operating system, one
| computer" policy, the fact that Msoft limits the
| activation of Windows XP--purchased legally--to
| installation on one & only one machine. Here's my
| question: What if the machine that I install XP on today
| burns out a week from now? The going price at the IT
| store in my neighborhood for Win XP Pro is $300.00+tx. I
| find it very difficult to believe that a company as
| affluent as Microsoft would not have a policy in place
| to "cut some slack" to customers who've paid the serious
| bucks for their op system software and then suffer the
| misfortune of having something else (e.g., mobo, cpu,
| etc) going out. I'm very much looking forward to an
| answer on this one.
| Thanks for your time & attention to detail [:-)
|
| Terry.
 
To Carey,
Thanks for the quick reply! I checked out the links you
referred, and will store them for future reference.
I'm relieved to find that Msoft DOES have a procedure
in place for such a nasty occurrence...Thanks again.
Terry.
 
Terry,

In addition, for an OEM OS you are still entitled to replace major
components either because of a system failure or a desire to upgrade
components. E.g. you suffer a lightening hit that fries your mobo, CPU and
HDD . . . you can replace with identical HW or upgrade with new mobo, CPU or
HDD and do a re-installation of the OEM SW. From a legal viewpoint it may be
a bit fuzzy if the mobo isn't identical, but most of us (note: we are NOT
lawyers) believe that if you use the same case and replace a mobo or other
component that you would be OK (it's a layman's opinion, not a legal
determination . . . I'm sure if you asked two lawyers that you would get
three different legal opinions <g>).
 
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