Do I have to buy another copy of XP

[Wislndixie]

I bought a full OEM version of Windows XP Home at
christmas. I'm now getting a new computer. Can I
reinstall my current version and reactivate or do I have
to buy another copy of XP Home?
Thanks,
Wisln

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I bought a full OEM version of Windows XP Home at
christmas. I'm now getting a new computer. Can I
reinstall my current version and reactivate or do I have
to buy another copy of XP Home?
Thanks,
Wisln

You will have to buy another copy of Windows XP.
One of the limits and hence the cheapness of the OEM product is that it is
tied to the first machine it is installed to and may not be moved to another
system, even in the event of the complete failure of that machine.

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Guest]

New computer - new purchase

 

[nobody]

I would wait for at least 120 days and then try it on the new computer,
you've got nothing to loose.

 

[Wade]

I have to disagree with Mike. I bought an OEM version of
Windows XP Pro. I have moved the copy three times now. I
built three new computers and successfully moved the OEM
version over all three times. You will have to call
Microsoft during the activation process. I explained to
them what I am doing and they did not mention anything to
me about having an OEM version vs. Retail version. There
is also a time out period as well, which means after a
certain time interval you can reactivate windows XP with a
completely new set of hardware. (This happened to me on my
third move, no need to call Microsoft). Microsoft's
official policy is what Mike said, but it never hurts to
try. So, the only limitations I have found with the OEM
version is you do not get the two free support calls and
you must do full installs instead of upgrades. Hope this
helps.

Wade

 

[Ziggy]

depends on what u did, i rebuilt a new machine & a new hard drive & it
wouldnt activate & i called & told them i out a new hard drive in & they
gave me a code & no problems. allthough i rebuild my machine 4x a year so
always new parts except the case.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I have to disagree with Mike. I bought an OEM version of
Windows XP Pro. I have moved the copy three times now. I
built three new computers and successfully moved the OEM
version over all three times. You will have to call
Microsoft during the activation process. I explained to
them what I am doing and they did not mention anything to
me about having an OEM version vs. Retail version.

Mike is exactly right. The OEM EULA is very clear. You can *not*
do this. If you got away with doing it, it was either because the
person you spoke with didn't realize you had an OEM version,
didn't know the rule, or didn't bother to enforce it.

You are apparently a person who thinks it's OK to do something
that's prohibited, just as long as you don't get caught.

 

[pjp]

" You are apparently a person who thinks it's OK to do something that's
prohibited, just as long as you don't get caught."

Well, that is the way both American business and politics work so why is it
a surprise that many in that society also feel it's ok?

(I mean American in the sense of most western societies, including Canada,
Britain, France, Germany etc.).

 

[Wade]

blah blah blah for Ken Blake. I am not violating the
EULA. I am still only using one copy of XP Pro.
Microsoft has to be flexible with the activation process
to allow for people who upgrade a lot. The OEM limitation
to the original computer is more of a guideline not an
enforced policy. If you explain what you are doing
exactly to Microsoft they will be flexible with these
guidelines. Don't try to lump me in with hackers and
other people who try to cheat the system!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, of course you do.

First of all, based upon the description you've provided, you have
an OEM license for WinXP Home. 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.

As it has *always* been with *all* Microsoft operating systems,
it's necessary (to be in compliance with both the EULA, if not
technically) to purchase one WinXP license for each computer on which
it is installed. 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


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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Do you really think that announcing that you've made a habit
knowingly and willingly violating the WinXP EULA on a Microsoft server
is particularly wise?

Anyway, the rest of us, not to mention any future prospective
employers, banks, and whomever else you might someday do business
with, do appreciate your telling us that your given word or signature
on a contract is without value.


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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Yes, you are in violation of the EULA. Try reading it. And we'll
lump you in with the people who have no integrity.

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

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Wade,

You are in breach of the End User License Agreement.
It specifically forbids the movement of the license from the original
install machine.

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[pjp]

All else said, were's this "contract" you speak of.

I don't personally ever remember signing anything or giving any kind of
verbal agreement to any Microsoft representative for any product I've ever
had of theirs, and that's 20 years now. Simply adding some piece of paper to
the inside of a box which can't even be read until after I spend my time and
money to purchaser this same box doesn't amount to a contract from my point
of view.

From a fellow running 5 pc's but only has the one 98SE disk, you gonna run
me down also? If so, think hard before you do as it's a trick question

 

[Wade]

Mike,

Since you sound much more level headed than the tyrants
above.

At what point does it no longer become the original
machine? Are you saying once you add or remove the magic
number of parts to require activation that the machine is
no longer the original? The reason I ask is because as
you start mixing and matching the parts between three
different computers during upgrades it becomes unclear
which machine is the original computer. Does Microsoft
give us a clear-cut definition of what the original
machine is, because as far as I am concerned that is what
I am using?

Wade

 

[Alex Nichol]

I bought a full OEM version of Windows XP Home at
christmas. I'm now getting a new computer. Can I
reinstall my current version and reactivate or do I have
to buy another copy of XP Home?

You have to buy another. The big catch with OEM licenses (and the main
reason they are cheaper) is that the license is solely to the machine
where it is first installed, and may not be transferred

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Wade,

You have hit a particular grey area.
For the original use of OEM licences which was to provide them to OEMs to
preinstall on their hardware, the machine was no longer considered original
when it was modified (updated etc) in such a way as it was no longer
supported by the OEM.
So if you had an HP machine and you got a new drive from HP then your would
be OK. If you changed out the mother board then HP would no longer support
you and as such the OEM license for the OS would be dead.

Now in these times where you can buy an OEM CD ROM with a piece of hardware
required for the operation of the device. You no longer have a full OEM to
ask.

I cannot make a policy statement.
Ideally the OEM (the person that supplied the OEM software should be able to
provide you with a definitive answer).
Answers from the field have been things like the motherboard but that is not
an official answer from Microsoft.


--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Alex Nichol]

Now in these times where you can buy an OEM CD ROM with a piece of hardware
required for the operation of the device. You no longer have a full OEM to
ask.

I cannot make a policy statement.
Ideally the OEM (the person that supplied the OEM software should be able to
provide you with a definitive answer).
Answers from the field have been things like the motherboard but that is not
an official answer from Microsoft.

Bluntly, I think the proper course to resolve this whole problem is for
Microsoft to cease allowing sale of an 'OEM' copy with a piece of
hardware, say a hard disk, let alone a cable. I find in fact that the
only logical reading of the EULA is that the license is then tied to
*that item* and is transferable with it. But OTOH, if the item of
hardware concerned fails then the license dies with it. Which does not
make sense.

I think that MSoft should provide only:

OEM Licenses for new machines - capable of running with no more than a
monitor added - the licenses to die with the machine, as represented by
cessation of support from the maker (and conveniently handled through
BIOS lock). So fitting a third party motherboard that the maker did
not supply would require a new license

And

Retail copies (Full or upgrade), at retail prices, and fully
transferable through the present type of activation system

and cease this 'with a piece of hardware' - which only came in
originally to permit an 'upgrade' to Win 95 B, which was only being
supplied as an OEM SR, not retail

 

[Brian Coats]

However, Microsoft I don’t think could enforce it in court because
the allow oem sales without hardware.

http://www.softwareguy.com No hardware at all.

http://www.walmart.com/ xp oem with Just a mouse.

A lot of other places do too.

I thought once as you did.
Microsoft should of put on the outside of the carton. The exact
restrictions on how an oem can be sold and used. This way everyone
can read it before being sold.

Unfortunately. I got windows 98 oem. Which I cant legally install
until I get a license for it. I didn’t know nothing about the
restrictions until I saw it in the windows 98 group. The company
would not refund my money. I paid $89.00 for nothing. The softway
guy also said I didn’t need a coa. He said the license is on the
disk. I even called the softway guy and he told me the sale was
legal. That’s a big joke.

I even got one computer person to tell me. The full retail xp version
can not be removed and put on another computer-hehe (Trying to sell
the oem)


You windows 98 question.
If you have the retail version, you may remove it from one computer
to another computer. Unless you have an a special License to install
it on more that one system.

I willing to pay Microsoft License to use my 98se oem.


Brian Coats
(Note not my real name)

 

[David Candy]

Why isn't it your real name. Your opinion is worthless then.

You can complain to MS and they'll stop selling the software to softwareguy so he can't sell to others. Ditto Walmart as a mouse is not sufficient. This is part of the licence agreement between MS and the OEM.

4. SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION

4.1 If the enclosed Software Unit consists of a desktop operating system, Microsoft grants to you a

nonexclusive right to distribute each Software Unit, provided it is distributed accompanied with either a fully

assembled computer system or nonperipheral computer hardware component (that will be an integral part of

the computer system on which the Software Unit will be installed). A fully assembled computer system shall

consist of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply, and a case.

4.2 If the enclosed Software Unit consists of application or server software, Microsoft grants to you a

nonexclusive right to distribute each Software Unit, provided it is distributed only with a fully assembled

computer system.

4.3 Each Software Unit must be distributed pursuant to the End-User License Agreement that accompanies

the Software Unit. Under the terms of the EULA you are the licensor.


--
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.g2mil.com/Dec2003.htm

However, Microsoft I don’t think could enforce it in court because
the allow oem sales without hardware.

http://www.softwareguy.com No hardware at all.

http://www.walmart.com/ xp oem with Just a mouse.

A lot of other places do too.

I thought once as you did.
Microsoft should of put on the outside of the carton. The exact
restrictions on how an oem can be sold and used. This way everyone
can read it before being sold.

Unfortunately. I got windows 98 oem. Which I cant legally install
until I get a license for it. I didn’t know nothing about the
restrictions until I saw it in the windows 98 group. The company
would not refund my money. I paid $89.00 for nothing. The softway
guy also said I didn’t need a coa. He said the license is on the
disk. I even called the softway guy and he told me the sale was
legal. That’s a big joke.

I even got one computer person to tell me. The full retail xp version
can not be removed and put on another computer-hehe (Trying to sell
the oem)


You windows 98 question.
If you have the retail version, you may remove it from one computer
to another computer. Unless you have an a special License to install
it on more that one system.

I willing to pay Microsoft License to use my 98se oem.


Brian Coats
(Note not my real name)