Windows XP on another computer

[Guest]

My old computer was upgraded to windows XP from Win98 SE a long time ago.
Recently that computer died and I have since purchased a brand new computer.
My friend who still uses his old computer at work would like to use the XP
upgrade CD that I have since my computer died. Is there a way to unregister
my old computer to allow him to use the disk on his computer now?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My old computer was upgraded to windows XP from Win98 SE a long
time ago. Recently that computer died and I have since purchased a
brand new computer. My friend who still uses his old computer at
work would like to use the XP upgrade CD that I have since my
computer died. Is there a way to unregister my old computer to
allow him to use the disk on his computer now?

Unregister?
No - you likely never registered it.

Upgrades are retail versions - if it is not installed anywhere else - you
can install it anywhere you want.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My old computer was upgraded to windows XP from Win98 SE a long time
ago. Recently that computer died and I have since purchased a brand
new computer. My friend who still uses his old computer at work would
like to use the XP upgrade CD that I have since my computer died. Is
there a way to unregister my old computer to allow him to use the
disk on his computer now?

No, there's no such thing as unregistration (nor unactivation, which what
you probably mean), nor is it needed.

If this is an Upgrade CD, it is a retail version, and is thus transferable.
The only restriction is that it can't be on two comnputers at the same time.
Simply give or sell it to him. He can install and activate it.

 

[Guest]

I can't remember exactly what I did when I installed it on my computer but I
am pretty sure there was a registration key that I typed in when installing
it. When I do that, it doesn't register my machine with Microsoft? It's just
a key code that allows it to continue installing without any communications
with Microsoft via the internet??

 

[Shenan Stanley]

My old computer was upgraded to windows XP from Win98 SE a long
time ago. Recently that computer died and I have since purchased a
brand new computer. My friend who still uses his old computer at
work would like to use the XP upgrade CD that I have since my
computer died. Is there a way to unregister my old computer to
allow him to use the disk on his computer now?

Unregister?
No - you likely never registered it.

Upgrades are retail versions - if it is not installed anywhere
else - you can install it anywhere you want.

I can't remember exactly what I did when I installed it on my
computer but I am pretty sure there was a registration key that I
typed in when installing it. When I do that, it doesn't register my
machine with Microsoft? It's just a key code that allows it to
continue installing without any communications with Microsoft via
the internet??

That was an "activation" key. Activation is mandatory, registration is
optional (and - as far as i can tell - pretty well worthless.)
The CD Key (that you should have with the CD - otherwise that CD is a
coaster) is what allows you to activate your copy of Windows XP - allowing
it to run on that machine. Microsoft doesn't track any personal data with
that procedure. They are just validating the number you used is
legitimate - one they made up.

If it has been more than 120 days since you did that - you can install it
elsewhere and activate it over the internet with no problem. (Anyone can -
actually.)

If it has not been more than 120 days - you (anyone) may have to make a
phone call to activate it.

That's it. There is no name attached to that copy of Windows XP.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I can't remember exactly what I did when I installed it on my
computer but I am pretty sure there was a registration key that I
typed in when installing it. When I do that, it doesn't register my
machine with Microsoft? It's just a key code that allows it to
continue installing without any communications with Microsoft via the
internet??

No, it's a product key and it was used to "activate" Windows XP, not
"register" it.

This is a common source of confusion. Activation is an anonymous procedure
that associates your hardware (not you) with that product key. Registration
identifies *you* as an individual person using Windows XP.Activation is
required. If you don't do it, after 30 days your computer will stop working
except in Safe Mode.

Registration, on the other hand, is entirely optional. It's basically just
used by Microsoft for marketing purposes.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Talahasee]

x-no-archive: yes

I can't remember exactly what I did when I installed it on my computer but I
am pretty sure there was a registration key that I typed in when installing
it. When I do that, it doesn't register my machine with Microsoft? It's just
a key code that allows it to continue installing without any communications
with Microsoft via the internet??

Correct.

All the key does on the initial install -- IIUC -- is to allow you to
install XP.

While you are installing, however, the install process ASKS you if
you'd like to register.

You only need to register once. (meaning that if you manage to crash
once a week or so like I have done ; I play with my system a LOT)

If you install let's say once a month, you will be asked to register
once a month.

If you have registered-- let's say, the 5th time you installed-- you
don't need to register again.


But once you are registered, and you have a valid key, there are any
number of downloads that you will want that will cause the Microsoft
site to scan your computer to make sure you have a "good " copy of the
product.

T