Windows XP/2000 licensing

[Mike]

Lets say I bought a Dell computer that came preinstalled with Windows 2000
pro. Next, lets say I bought Windows XP, and did a clean install over W2K.
Can I sell/donate the old windows 2000 license? What if the COA is attached
to the computer chassis? Does it matter if I bought the Full version XP, or
the upgrade version?

Mike

 

[Linda B]

Let me warn you right now, you're going to get a zillion replies to this.
As far as Microsoft is concerned, no, you can not resell the 2000 license.
It is an OEM product, and the OEM EULA applies to it, which prohibits the
resale of the license without the accompanying hardware.

--LB

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

In addition to EULA restrictions, if it's an OEM version of W2K, more than
likely it is BIOS liked and tied to the original hardware.

 

[Mike]

What about if it was not oem. If I have hologramed windows 2000 disks, but
do not have the COA stickers?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Be sure to advise the prospective buyers that the COA sticker is not
available. The license for a retail copy of Windows is transferable as long
as you have deleted the installation from your machine.

 

[James Hahn]

You need to consult the specific terms of the EULA that was supplied with
the DELL and with the version of Windows that came with it, but most
packages such as this tie the software to the hardware, and you are not
entitled to sell the software separately.

If you bought the upgrade version of XP then the original software and the
upgrade are now considered a single licence, and while you continue to use
that version of XP you could not sell W2K (the 'qualifying product')
separately. This will be set out in the XP EULA.

Whether you sell the licence or give it away for free makes no difference.

 

[Linda B]

If it was a retail version you can transfer the license as long as it
doesn't exist in two places at the same time. But if the OS was
preinstalled by the manufacturer, I'd bet good money it's OEM. Do you have
the manual? If it says in there something along the lines of "only for
distribution with a new PC," it's OEM.

--LB

 

[Mike Kolitz]

No - you cannot transfer the license.
Versions of Windows that ship pre-installed on a computer (like from Dell)
are OEM copies, and carry special licensing restrictions. Part of the
license dictates that the license is "married" to that computer for the rest
of its functional life. It cannot be transferred to another machine.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Mike;
The CDs without the COA are nothing more than poor quality coasters.
You need the CD, Product Key, COA etc to transfer a valid license.

 

[Linda B]

Let me warn you right now, you're going to get a zillion replies to this.

I happily stand corrected.

 

[kurttrail]

Lets say I bought a Dell computer that came preinstalled with Windows
2000 pro. Next, lets say I bought Windows XP, and did a clean
install over W2K. Can I sell/donate the old windows 2000 license? What
if the COA is attached to the computer chassis? Does it matter
if I bought the Full version XP, or the upgrade version?

Do you want to know legally, or what you can get away with?

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Harry Ohrn]

If you bought the Upgrade version of XP and used the Windows 2000 CD to
satisfy the request for a qualifying product when you did the clean install
with the XP CD then the Windows 2000 license is tied to the computer because
you had to use it to satisfy the XP install.

 

[Andrew Murray]

Windows 2000 would more than likely be OEM which means it probably won't
work on anything other than the original hardware (in any case OEM licence
is not intended to be used on hardware other than the original machine) so
short answer is "No".

For upgrading/installing XP you will need a previous licenced version of
Windows which qualifies as the upgrade product to upgrade to XP with if you
use the upgrade versopm, however OEM Windows 2000 (that came on your PC
originally) mayy or may not qualify as a upgrade product.

And you'd need that earlier version copy everytime you had to reinstall XP,
so if you did sell the 2000 licence/disk you'd be in trouble.

You'd be better using the Full version.

 

[Steve N.]

Windows 2000 would more than likely be OEM which means it probably won't
work on anything other than the original hardware (in any case OEM licence
is not intended to be used on hardware other than the original machine) so
short answer is "No".

Not true. Win2k Pro OEMs will work on any hardware capable of running
the OS. There is no "BIOS lock" stuff involved.

Steve

 

[Steve N.]

In addition to EULA restrictions, if it's an OEM version of W2K, more than
likely it is BIOS liked and tied to the original hardware.

Not true. Win2k Pro OEMs will work on any hardware capable of running
the OS. There is no "BIOS lock" stuff involved.

Steve

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Steve;
I have a Windows 2000 Pro OEM CD from Gateway.
It will not boot to a non Gateway computer and the error message says as
much on a non Gateway computer.
It recognizes the BIOS as not belonging to a Gateway.

 

[Steve N.]

Steve;
I have a Windows 2000 Pro OEM CD from Gateway.
It will not boot to a non Gateway computer and the error message says as
much on a non Gateway computer.
It recognizes the BIOS as not belonging to a Gateway.

Really? I've never run into that with Win2K but then I haven't seen many
Gateways.

Ok, I sit corrected.

Steve

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Steve;
A few years ago I successfully installed it on a Dell but there were extra
steps and time involved.
But it will not install on a Dell the easy way it is designed to install on
a Gateway.
Procedure is beyond the ability of many home users.

 

[kurttrail]

Steve;
A few years ago I successfully installed it on a Dell but there were
extra steps and time involved.
But it will not install on a Dell the easy way it is designed to
install on a Gateway.
Procedure is beyond the ability of many home users.

ROFL! Is Jupiter admitting to violating the EULA?

Will wonders never cease?!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Somehow I knew you would post as you did.
At that time I did not understand the difference between OEM and retail.
In any event, it is not relevant since it was only installed to prove if it
could be done or not and was removed without ever being used.

There is no comparison any reasonable person would make between this and
what you advocate.