Windows XP licencing

[Francois Malgreve]

Hi,

I am about to buy a new laptop but I need windows XP PRO on it. and only
that as some software I need won't run on VISTA.

The computer I am interested in is an ACER that comes with Windows XP MCE
ONLY. I have asked the staff about changing it to XP PRO and they told me
that if I wanted XP Pro I could go on internet and upgrade the XP MCE to XP
PRO for free. Is that true? And if yes where?

I have a valid licence of Windows 2000 Pro on my old laptop, as I will
discard the laptop (who does not start up anymore), I was wondering if I
could install win 2000 PRO on my new laptop and upgrade from win 2000 Pro to
win XP Pro for free. I have seen that there is an upgrade path at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/matrix.mspx

The bottom line is that I like that ACER computer but i do not want to end
up with 2 Windows XP licences which makes me feel like I pay 2 times what i
should pay just once.

Thanks for any help on the matter, it seems that I definitly lack of
knowledge in the (complicated) world of Windows versions and licencing
policies

Francois

 

[peter]

you seem to have a few choices........
buy a laptop with XP Pro
Upgrade the Acer from MCE to PRO....tell the store to do it
If the Win2000 Pro is NOT an OEM version you could follow that route...long
way around and no more warranty
peter

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

I am about to buy a new laptop but I need windows XP PRO on it. and only
that as some software I need won't run on VISTA.

The computer I am interested in is an ACER that comes with Windows XP MCE
ONLY. I have asked the staff about changing it to XP PRO and they told me
that if I wanted XP Pro I could go on internet and upgrade the XP MCE to
XP PRO for free. Is that true?

No, it's not true. It's not even technically possible; setting aside
that fact that there is no source from which you can download a legitimate
license.

Transitioning from WinXP MCE to WinXP Pro is a _downgrade_.

WinXP Media Center Edition is a _superset_ (iow, it does _everything_
WinXP Pro can do (except join a domain), plus contains additional
multi-media features) of WinXP Pro.

Windows XP Media Center Edition Home
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ehome/default.asp

And if yes where?

No where. I suggest you take your business to a company whose
representatives either won't lie quite so brazenly, or are not so completely
incompetent.

I have a valid licence of Windows 2000 Pro on my old laptop, as I will
discard the laptop (who does not start up anymore), I was wondering if I
could install win 2000 PRO on my new laptop....

Only if that old Win2K license is a transferable retail license, and not
an OEM license, which is permanently bound to the original laptop. And only
if the manufaturer (Acer, you said?) provides the necessary device drivers
so that Win2K will even install and work on the much newer laptop. (And
don't forget that replacing the original OS on the new laptop will probably
void any and all warranty and service agreements.)

... and upgrade from win 2000 Pro to win XP Pro for free. I have seen that
there is an upgrade path at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/matrix.mspx

Yes, but it's NOT free. You'd have to buy a WinXP Pro Upgrade license.

The bottom line is that I like that ACER computer but i do not want to end
up with 2 Windows XP licences which makes me feel like I pay 2 times what
i should pay just once.

How would you end up with two WinXP licenses?

Seriously, if you need to have a laptop with WinXP, then that is what
you should order and buy. If Acer refuses to meet your needs, take your
money elsewhere. There's absolutely no sound reason for you to buy a laptop
that you know won't meet your needs, and then have to spend extra money to
make it work.


--
Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

you seem to have a few choices........
buy a laptop with XP Pro

That's the wisest and most economically reasonable course...

Upgrade the Acer from MCE to PRO....tell the store to do it

Not possible. Transitioning from WinXP MCE to WinXP Pro is a
_downgrade_.

WinXP Media Center Edition is a _superset_ (iow, it does _everything_
WinXP Pro can do (except join a domain), plus contains additional
multi-media features) of WinXP Pro.

Windows XP Media Center Edition Home
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ehome/default.asp

If the Win2000 Pro is NOT an OEM version you could follow that
route...long way around and no more warranty

Too true...

--
Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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