XP-OEM New Owner Activation

[Guest]

If I have an OEM version of Windows XP (legitimate disc with COA), but I get
rid of the computer, can I sell the disc to another user and can they
legitimately activate it? My new computer again came with XP already
installed so this older version is technically not running or installed on
any machine at this time.

 

[Jon W.]

No, the OEM license binds the cd-key of Windows XP to that machine. So even
if you don't activate it, it still won't work. Or it shouldn't at least.

Jon. W

 

[Guest]

No. An OEM version of Windows XP may never be transferred
from the PC on which it was originally installed, even though
it is no longer in use. This is documented in the EULA which
you can read by going to Start > Run and type: WINVER
and hit the enter key.

 

[Vanguard]

If I have an OEM version of Windows XP (legitimate disc with COA), but I
get
rid of the computer, can I sell the disc to another user and can they
legitimately activate it? My new computer again came with XP already
installed so this older version is technically not running or installed on
any machine at this time.

So are you going to lie to the buyer of your old computer that it came with
Windows (but it didn't)? Or are you trashing the old computer?

With what qualifying hardware did the OEM version of Windows come with? If
it was the old computer, the OEM license remains tied to that old computer.

 

[Vagabond Software]

If I have an OEM version of Windows XP (legitimate disc with COA), but I
get
rid of the computer, can I sell the disc to another user and can they
legitimately activate it? My new computer again came with XP already
installed so this older version is technically not running or installed on
any machine at this time.

Did you actually get a full version of Windows XP on CD with your new
computer? That would be rare indeed. If you just got a "recovery" CD with
the new computer, you may want to hang on to your full version CD and COA.

Otherwise, it is possible to install and activate Windows XP from OEM media
using the correct product key.

carl

 

[Bruce Chambers]

If I have an OEM version of Windows XP (legitimate disc with COA), but I get
rid of the computer, can I sell the disc to another user and can they
legitimately activate it?

No. An OEM licenses 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 PC on which it's installed. An OEM
license, once installed, is not legitimately transferable to another
computer under _any_ circumstances. The only legitimate way to transfer
ownership of an installed OEM license is to transfer ownership of the
computer on which it is installed.

My new computer again came with XP already
installed so this older version is technically not running or installed on
any machine at this time.

Irrelevant.

--

Bruce Chambers

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[Ron Martell]

If I have an OEM version of Windows XP (legitimate disc with COA), but I get
rid of the computer, can I sell the disc to another user and can they
legitimately activate it? My new computer again came with XP already
installed so this older version is technically not running or installed on
any machine at this time.

No. OEM licenses become a "package deal" when they are installed onto
a computer and can only be sold with that computer.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Steve N.]

If I have an OEM version of Windows XP (legitimate disc with COA), but I get
rid of the computer, can I sell the disc to another user and can they
legitimately activate it? My new computer again came with XP already
installed so this older version is technically not running or installed on
any machine at this time.

No. Read the OEM EULA; Start, Run, type in

eula.txt

Press Enter, read it.

Steve N.

 

[Chuck]

When you "get rid" of the old computer, the OEM version goes with it under
normal circumstances. Depending upon the exact OEM version, where it came
from, and some other conditions, it is remotely possible to use it on a
replacement system.

If it were an OEM version supplied with a PC from a major mfr, chances are
that it would be "locked" to the PC it came with.

 

[Steve N.]

When you "get rid" of the old computer, the OEM version goes with it under
normal circumstances.

According to the OEM EULA the license is permanently tied to the first
system it is installed on, regardless of _any_ circumstances. What
constitutes the "computer" is apparently debatable, but certainly a
completely different system is not the original computer the OEM XP was
first installed on.

Depending upon the exact OEM version, where it came
from, and some other conditions, it is remotely possible to use it on a
replacement system.

It certainly is technically possible for a generic OEM to be used in
this manner, but according to the OEM EULA this is not permitted. If one
chooses to ignore the provisions of the EULA that is their business, I
suppose. I personally do not support such decisions and will not offer
support to anyone who does this.

Steve N.