Buying used copy of XP - good idea?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lobster
  • Start date Start date
L

Lobster

Hi
I have 1 PC running XP home and another one (for the kids) running
Win98, and would like to bring that up to XP as well. Thought about
buying a used copy of XP from somewhere like ebay, but am concerned as
to whether it will work - doesn't XP contain protection or somesuch to
prevent it being installed on more than one PC? If so, this would
presumably prevent someone like me from installing his XP disks on a
second PC (which I realise would be illegal anyway!). Could someobody
explain the situation; is it risky buying a used copy? What about
these still-sealed OEM disks which people sell; does the same apply to
them?
Thanks
David
 
Lobster said:
Hi
I have 1 PC running XP home and another one (for the kids) running
Win98, and would like to bring that up to XP as well. Thought about
buying a used copy of XP from somewhere like ebay, but am concerned as
to whether it will work - doesn't XP contain protection or somesuch to
prevent it being installed on more than one PC? If so, this would
presumably prevent someone like me from installing his XP disks on a
second PC (which I realise would be illegal anyway!). Could someobody
explain the situation; is it risky buying a used copy? What about
these still-sealed OEM disks which people sell; does the same apply to
them?
Thanks
Click to expand...

David

There is a risk in buying a used copy of XP for the reasons you describe.
You have to make sure that you purchase XP from a trusted source and that
the seller has uninstalled XP and the Product Key is no longer in use. Make
sure that you get a written statement from the seller confirming that this
is the case. The purchase shold also include the COA (Certificate of
Authenticity) with the Product Key sticker attached.

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP-Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org
 
From what microsoft specifically states:"one copy of XP,one machine"
Hence,they can include all the certificates,legal docs,etc.. one can come u
with but youll never get it to register to microsoft,it show another machine,user
for that key.The only exception would be an unopened box of xp thats neve
been used.
 
Ronnie Vernon MVP said:
Lobster wrote:
Click to expand...
There is a risk in buying a used copy of XP for the reasons you describe.
You have to make sure that you purchase XP from a trusted source and that
the seller has uninstalled XP and the Product Key is no longer in use. Make
sure that you get a written statement from the seller confirming that this
is the case. The purchase shold also include the COA (Certificate of
Authenticity) with the Product Key sticker attached.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ronnie.

So I guess it's not good enough to buy a still-sealed CD because the
corresponding Product Key could have been used in a PC provided with
XP already installed (and the CD provided with it) - am I right?

If a seller uninstalls XP so the Product Key is no longer in use, then
sells me his CD; how do Microsoft get to know about that? If I try to
install XP from that CD and it comes up as already installed, how
would I convince MS that it's not any more, and I have the only copy?

Regards
David
 
Lobster said:
Thanks Ronnie.

So I guess it's not good enough to buy a still-sealed CD because the
corresponding Product Key could have been used in a PC provided with
XP already installed (and the CD provided with it) - am I right?
Click to expand...
If a seller uninstalls XP so the Product Key is no longer in use, then
sells me his CD; how do Microsoft get to know about that? If I try to
install XP from that CD and it comes up as already installed, how
would I convince MS that it's not any more, and I have the only copy?
Click to expand...

David

Just take the proper precautions before buying. Ebay and other online
auction sites have rules in place for confirming the legitimacy of sellers.

The Product Key being used will only be shown as being activated if it has
been less than 120 days since that activation, you will need to use the
manual activation option and call the Microsoft activation center at the
toll free number displayed on the screen. This process takes about 5
minutes. If it has been more than 120 days, then there will be no record of
any activation and you will be able to automatically activate over the
internet without talking to anyone.

You will not need to explain anything to Microsoft other than you just
purchased this product from a private party. Unless there is a problem with
the product key, they will not ask for more information. The only time there
is a problem is when a red flag is encountered. This would happen if the
product key being used has had an inordinate amount of activations during a
short period of time. Make sure that you get and keep the proper
documentation. The original CD and COA are required to be included when you
purchase a copy of Windows from a private party.


--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP-Windows Shell/User

Please reply to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://www.mvps.org
 
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