John said:
I wonder if anyone can help with this one please? There are serial numbers
on the bottom of my broken laptop. The type that are like the hologram
label. Can these be used as the product code number to install windows on
my new laptop?.
No, that can't be done. Based on your own description, you have an OEM
licenses for WinXP on the old laptop. An OEM version must be sold with
a non-peripheral piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or hard rive,
if not an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound to the first computer on
which it's installed. An OEM license, once installed, is not
legitimately transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.
If i try and use these, it wont let windows key load the
rest of the OS.
Correct. That's as it should be; it's an anti-piracy measure. You'll
need to purchase a new license for the new computer.
Should i register these keys with microsoft before it will
work though? Cant see what im misssing, I would have expected it to work,
seing that they are 5 sets of 5 keys? Can I use this number from the
hologram, can someone exalin how it all works please.
You need to purchase a separate WinXP license for each computer on
which you install it. (As long as you have multiple identical licenses,
it doesn't matter if you use the same CD for the installations, as long
as you use a different license each time.)
Just as it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating
systems, it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA and U.S.
copyright law
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/117.html), if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which it
is installed. (Consult an attorney versed in copyright law to determine
final applicability in your locale.) The only way in which WinXP
licensing differs from that of earlier versions of Windows is that
Microsoft has finally added a copy protection and anti-theft mechanism,
Product Activation, to prevent (or at least make more difficult)
multiple installations using a single license.
One can buy additional licenses, assuming one already has a retail
license. Naturally, Microsoft cannot sell additional OEM licenses. Be
aware, however, that you'll probably pay more this way than you would if
you were to buy a second copy of WinXP from a discount retailer;
Microsoft will only offer you a 15% discount off their MSRP.
Additional Licenses for Windows XP Home Edition
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/addlic.asp
Additional Licenses for Windows XP Professional
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/addlic.asp
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Bruce Chambers
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