Windows XP OEM License question

M

maddog5461

Hello all,
I usually don't post to these groups, because I can usually find
the answer I am looking for by doing a group search. I do have a
question, that I was unable to find the answer for in previous posts.

I have 3 computers, 2 Desktops (both built by myself) and a Dell
Laptop. I bought the retail version of Win XP home edition. I also have
the OEM version of XP home edition. My "MAIN" computer I do a lot of
upgrading on, motherboard, CPU etc. and I have the RETAIL version in
that computer. My "Community" computer, I call it that, because anyone
who needs to use a computer is allowed on the community computer, NOT
my MAIN computer, thats for my use only. Anyway, the "community"
computer has the OEM version of XP on it. My Dell laptop of course came
with it's own OEM version of XP. My question is this: If I upgrade the
"Community" computers motherboard, that makes the copy of XP that is on
it invalid (OEM copy) do I have to purchase the OEM version again, or
can I buy an OEM LICENSE, without the actual XP CD. I have seen these
listed for sale at www.pricewatch.com and I just am kind of lost as to
what someone would do with just the license key, unless you are able to
use it with your original OEM CD, after doing a major upgrade to the
computer that the OEM software is installed on. Can anyone enlighten me
on this subject?? Thanks in advance. If anyone wants to e-mail me, your
welcome to it is (remove the obvious) maddog5461@"NOSPAM"yahoo.com
 
B

Bruce Chambers

maddog5461 said:
Hello all,
I usually don't post to these groups, because I can usually find
the answer I am looking for by doing a group search. I do have a
question, that I was unable to find the answer for in previous posts.

I have 3 computers, 2 Desktops (both built by myself) and a Dell
Laptop. I bought the retail version of Win XP home edition. I also have
the OEM version of XP home edition. My "MAIN" computer I do a lot of
upgrading on, motherboard, CPU etc. and I have the RETAIL version in
that computer. My "Community" computer, I call it that, because anyone
who needs to use a computer is allowed on the community computer, NOT
my MAIN computer, thats for my use only. Anyway, the "community"
computer has the OEM version of XP on it. My Dell laptop of course came
with it's own OEM version of XP. My question is this: If I upgrade the
"Community" computers motherboard, that makes the copy of XP that is on
it invalid (OEM copy) do I have to purchase the OEM version again, or
can I buy an OEM LICENSE, without the actual XP CD. I have seen these
listed for sale at www.pricewatch.com and I just am kind of lost as to
what someone would do with just the license key, unless you are able to
use it with your original OEM CD, after doing a major upgrade to the
computer that the OEM software is installed on. Can anyone enlighten me
on this subject?? Thanks in advance. If anyone wants to e-mail me, your
welcome to it is (remove the obvious) maddog5461@"NOSPAM"yahoo.com

Upgrading your "community" computer's motherboard will not render the
computer's OEM license invalid, but it might make it useless if the
installation CD is a BIOS-locked Recovery CD, rather than a full
installation CD. An OEM license, once installed, cannot ever be
transferred to another computer, but there is absolutely nothing in the
OEM EULA that prohibits upgrading the computer to which said license is
bound. What kind of CD came with the "community" computer's OEM
license? If it's a real, generic, unbranded installation CD, you should
have no problem upgrading the motherboard. (You'll need to perform a
repair installation, of course.)

That said, you should also be aware that there are *NO* legitimate OEM
licenses available as a CoA or license only.

--

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
 
M

Michael Stevens

maddog5461 said:
Hello all,
I usually don't post to these groups, because I can usually find
the answer I am looking for by doing a group search. I do have a
question, that I was unable to find the answer for in previous posts.

I have 3 computers, 2 Desktops (both built by myself) and a Dell
Laptop. I bought the retail version of Win XP home edition. I also
have the OEM version of XP home edition. My "MAIN" computer I do a
lot of upgrading on, motherboard, CPU etc. and I have the RETAIL
version in that computer. My "Community" computer, I call it that,
because anyone who needs to use a computer is allowed on the
community computer, NOT my MAIN computer, thats for my use only.
Anyway, the "community" computer has the OEM version of XP on it. My
Dell laptop of course came with it's own OEM version of XP. My
question is this: If I upgrade the "Community" computers motherboard,
that makes the copy of XP that is on it invalid (OEM copy) do I have
to purchase the OEM version again, or can I buy an OEM LICENSE,
without the actual XP CD. I have seen these listed for sale at
www.pricewatch.com and I just am kind of lost as to what someone
would do with just the license key, unless you are able to use it
with your original OEM CD, after doing a major upgrade to the
computer that the OEM software is installed on. Can anyone enlighten
me on this subject?? Thanks in advance. If anyone wants to e-mail me,
your welcome to it is (remove the obvious)
maddog5461@"NOSPAM"yahoo.com

Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address box.
OEM clarification.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 

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