XP Activation

[Leah]

Can anyone help?
I purchased a Dell system ("A") two years ago with Windows
XP Professional. The Dell has recently died. I have
another system running 98 ("B") and would like to upgrade
to XP. I have this XP license for which I've paid
(from "A", got the restore disk) and can no longer use on
the original system. I would like to change the OS on "B"
to the XP. I haven't tried the switch because I don't
know how to activate since the OS has been activated
on "A". Any ideas?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

One cannot transfer a Dell OEM version of Windows XP
to a different computer. The OEM license is permanently
bound to the original Dell computer and will not activate
if installed on a different computer. When your Dell PC died,
the OEM license died with it unless you replace the faulty
hardware with exact Dell replacement components.

You'll need to purchase a "Retail Upgrade Version" of
Windows XP in order to install and activate Windows XP
on your other computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Can anyone help?
| I purchased a Dell system ("A") two years ago with Windows
| XP Professional. The Dell has recently died. I have
| another system running 98 ("B") and would like to upgrade
| to XP. I have this XP license for which I've paid
| (from "A", got the restore disk) and can no longer use on
| the original system. I would like to change the OS on "B"
| to the XP. I haven't tried the switch because I don't
| know how to activate since the OS has been activated
| on "A". Any ideas?

 

[Tom]

Can anyone help?
I purchased a Dell system ("A") two years ago with Windows
XP Professional. The Dell has recently died. I have
another system running 98 ("B") and would like to upgrade
to XP. I have this XP license for which I've paid
(from "A", got the restore disk) and can no longer use on
the original system. I would like to change the OS on "B"
to the XP. I haven't tried the switch because I don't
know how to activate since the OS has been activated
on "A". Any ideas?

Since you said you purchased it two years ago, do you not still have a
warranty on it? Typical standard Dell warranties are for 3 years, including
all hardware parts and tech support. Unless you didn't want to pay the $69
cost for such a warranty, then you are out of luck, and you'll need to
purchase (at least) a retail upgrade CD of XP. Also, before doing so, I
would check to see if your 98 system can run XP, as many hardware
peripherals may not work well under XP that was setup to work under 98.

Read here regarding your 98 system's hardware compatibility with XP:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/checkcompat.asp

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I purchased a Dell system ("A") two years ago with Windows
XP Professional. The Dell has recently died. I have
another system running 98 ("B") and would like to upgrade
to XP. I have this XP license for which I've paid
(from "A", got the restore disk) and can no longer use on
the original system. I would like to change the OS on "B"
to the XP. I haven't tried the switch because I don't
know how to activate since the OS has been activated
on "A". Any ideas?

Sorry to say that you may not do this. If Windows XP came with
the Dell, it's an OEM version, and the license for an OEM version
ties it permanently to the first machine it's installed on. When
the Dell died, the license died with it.

OEM versions are substantially cheaper than retail versions, and
this more restrictive license is one of the main reasons why.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

If you have an OEM license for WinXP on the Dell PC, than you
cannot transfer it to another computer. An OEM version must be sold
with a piece of hardware (normally a motherboard or hard rive, if not
an entire PC) and is _permanently_ bound to the first PC on which it's
installed. An OEM license, once installed, is not legally
transferable to another computer under _any_ circumstances.


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

 

[auerbach]

Which raises an interesting point. His Dell system died. If he replaces the
motherboard with an aftermarket unit (ignoring for the moment any mechanical
problems that might arise because Dell may use an off-standard board
layout), will the repaired machine still qualify for the OEM license? What
if the hard drive dies, rather than the m'board? Video card? NIC card?

In other words, can one incrementally update an OEM machine and still have
the OEM license work? Or is there one fall-off-the-cliff component which, if
it is changed, the OEM version of XP just refuses to operate?

Alex

 

[Alex Nichol]

I purchased a Dell system ("A") two years ago with Windows
XP Professional. The Dell has recently died. I have
another system running 98 ("B") and would like to upgrade
to XP. I have this XP license for which I've paid
(from "A", got the restore disk) and can no longer use on
the original system.

Unfortunately for you systems that come installed on a machine like
that, OEM, are licensed solely to that machine and the license dies with
it. There was a very substantial discount to the retail price of the
software in recognition.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Which raises an interesting point. His Dell system died. If he replaces the
motherboard with an aftermarket unit (ignoring for the moment any mechanical
problems that might arise because Dell may use an off-standard board
layout), will the repaired machine still qualify for the OEM license? What
if the hard drive dies, rather than the m'board? Video card? NIC card?

In other words, can one incrementally update an OEM machine and still have
the OEM license work? Or is there one fall-off-the-cliff component which, if
it is changed, the OEM version of XP just refuses to operate?

It is something of a grey area. But such a system that comes installed
by a major like Dell, is normally handled by being 'locked' to the BIOS
of the motherboard. You can change anything else as much as you like.
But the motherboard has to be replaced by the maker, adjusting the lock
to fit if necessary. If you replace by another one then at the
technical level it starts regular activation, and you could get a modest
amount of hardware upgrade after that until it starts seeming a
different machine. But that certainly does not cover a transfer to what
*is* clearly a different machine

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ publicly to define
when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original
computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to
this definition is to tell the person making the inquiry to consult
the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is solely the
responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine what sort
of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support
agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded
computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM
EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer.

For most OEM's, it's the motherboard that "defines" the computer,
and they therefore use some form of BIOS-locking to prevent the OEM
license from installing upon a non-OEM motherboard, or to cause it to
subsequently require activation.


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

 

[kurttrail]

Greetings --

Microsoft has, to date, been very careful _not_ publicly to define
when an incrementally upgraded computer ceases to be the original
computer. The closest I've ever seen a Microsoft employee come to
this definition is to tell the person making the inquiry to consult
the PC's manufacturer. As the OEM license's support is solely the
responsibility of said manufacturer, they should determine what sort
of hardware changes to allow before the warranty and support
agreements are voided. To paraphrase: An incrementally upgraded
computer ceases to be the original computer, as pertains to the OEM
EULA, only when the *OEM* says it's a different computer.

For most OEM's, it's the motherboard that "defines" the computer,
and they therefore use some form of BIOS-locking to prevent the OEM
license from installing upon a non-OEM motherboard, or to cause it to
subsequently require activation.


Bruce Chambers

"Every single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP and no
reactivation would be required - even the motherboard could be replaced
as long as the replacement motherboard was original equipment
manufactured by the OEM and retained the proper BIOS." -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

So what happens when the mobo doesn't have the proper BIOS? You need to
activate, right? And the activation should go smoothly over the
internet, because it is a little known secret that BIOS-Locked OEM
Product Keys that have never been activated with MS, activate over the
internet just like a brand new generic OEM copy does.

--
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!"

 

[Tom]

Unfortunately for you systems that come installed on a machine like
that, OEM, are licensed solely to that machine and the license dies with
it. There was a very substantial discount to the retail price of the
software in recognition.

I read your Activation process at Aumha.org, and the over the telephone bit
is wrong, unless I am misreading something. You have it listed as that the
MS rep will give a 42 digit number to enter to activate Windows XP, when in
reality, it is 50digits (54 with SP1, and Office 2003).

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp

"It is called a hash value because it has no direct correlation to the PC
and cannot be backward-calculated to the original value. When displayed to a
customer for a telephone activation, the Installation ID is displayed as a
50-digit code (54 digits for Windows XP SP1 and Office 2003 activations)."

 

[Tom]

"Every single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP and no
reactivation would be required - even the motherboard could be replaced
as long as the replacement motherboard was original equipment
manufactured by the OEM and retained the proper BIOS." -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

So what happens when the mobo doesn't have the proper BIOS? You need to
activate, right? And the activation should go smoothly over the
internet, because it is a little known secret that BIOS-Locked OEM
Product Keys that have never been activated with MS, activate over the
internet just like a brand new generic OEM copy does.

--
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!"

Hi kurt,

Can I email you on this particular PA subject? All I ask in return is that
you keep my email addy private, and to yourself.

 

[kurttrail]

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.mspx

Hi kurt,

Can I email you on this particular PA subject? All I ask in return is
that you keep my email addy private, and to yourself.

Sure! I check my Hotmail account the most. My Hotmail user name is
kurtkirsch. Then just add the "at" Hotmail.com.

Or if you don't want to go thru MS's email servers, use
(e-mail address removed). Leave the "spam" in. Spambots rip it out!

--
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!"

 

[kurttrail]

I read your Activation process at Aumha.org, and the over the
telephone bit is wrong, unless I am misreading something. You have it
listed as that the MS rep will give a 42 digit number to enter to
activate Windows XP, when in reality, it is 50digits (54 with SP1,
and Office 2003).

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp

"It is called a hash value because it has no direct correlation to
the PC and cannot be backward-calculated to the original value. When
displayed to a customer for a telephone activation, the Installation
ID is displayed as a 50-digit code (54 digits for Windows XP SP1 and
Office 2003 activations)."

The "installation ID" is the 50 digit number you give the PA phone reps,
and in return the PA phone rep will give you a 42 digit number called
the "activation ID."

"Installation ID" is made up of you "product ID" and a snippet of your
hardware hash.

"Activation ID" is the code that tells XP that it is activated, and is
the answer code to the "installation ID."

And the "confusion ID" is the look on people's faces when asked to
comprehend all the little vagaries & nuances of PA.

--
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!"

 

[Tom]

The "installation ID" is the 50 digit number you give the PA phone reps,
and in return the PA phone rep will give you a 42 digit number called
the "activation ID."

"Installation ID" is made up of you "product ID" and a snippet of your
hardware hash.

"Activation ID" is the code that tells XP that it is activated, and is
the answer code to the "installation ID."

And the "confusion ID" is the look on people's faces when asked to
comprehend all the little vagaries & nuances of PA.

--
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!"

Ahhh, now I get it, thanks!

 

[Greg R]

One cannot transfer a Dell OEM version of Windows XP
to a different computer. The OEM license is permanently
bound to the original Dell computer and will not activate
if installed on a different computer. When your Dell PC died,
the OEM license died with it unless you replace the faulty
hardware with exact Dell replacement components.

You are partially wrong and you can change the hardware. You may need
to activate it if you replace it with different hardware than it came
with.


Greg R

 

[Alex Nichol]

The "installation ID" is the 50 digit number you give the PA phone reps,
and in return the PA phone rep will give you a 42 digit number called
the "activation ID."

"Installation ID" is made up of you "product ID" and a snippet of your
hardware hash.

"Activation ID" is the code that tells XP that it is activated, and is
the answer code to the "installation ID."

Thank you for putting him right

 

[Ryan Micallef]

Along these lines:

In addition to my laptop which ate flaming death last
week, taking its OEM XP Pro license with it, I also own a
self-built desktop PC at home. This PC has a full version
of XP Pro on it. Given the recent laptop tragedy, I'm
suddenly interested in preserving my full license to the
few-hundred dollar copy of XP Pro on this desktop.

Here's the rub: I can't find the original XP Pro CD I
installed from. Am I up a creek on this install if it
ever goes flaky (as I'm beginning to suspect I am), or is
there a way to recall the license nuber from this machine
without having my CD?

Just trying to assess the damage here and figure out what
it's going to cost me to keep honest AND protected with
all the licensing schenanigans, and the goings-on, and
the tomfoolery...

Ryan

 

[Hilary Karp]

Use the following to retrieve the key from an already installed system:

Magical Jellybean http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

If you have a valid key you can make a copy of the XP cd from someone
who has the exact same license type as you. Or contact MS to try and
get a replacement if you have proof of purchase. I don't have the link
for that.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

If it was a retail license and you have proof of purchase:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;326246


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