installing WinXP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Craig W
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Craig W

I have a licensed copy of Win XP pro for a laptop that is now deceased....
Can I install this legitimately on another machine as a clean install?

Can i register this and satisfy the piracy police at Microsoft? How do i do
that?
 
If you have a retail copy (you purchased it yourself) the yes it can be
installed on another PC. If, however, it is an OEM copy which was
pre-installed on the laptop when you purchased it, then No. The OEM copy
will be tied to the laptop and not transferrable. (It is different if you
purchased an OEM copy yourself from a store and installed it, then you would
be able to transfer, but OEM's supplied with the PC are not transferable.)

As for registering, I have never register a copy of Windows. Activate
windows, yes, but don't register there is no point; well unless you want
loads of emails about other suitable products.

So long as the copy of XP has been on your 'deceased' laptop for more than
120 days you should be able to activate over the internet. If it hasn't been
on the laptop for 120 days or more the you will need to telephone the
activation line.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
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reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
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mail/post..
 
The OEM license that comes with system builder copies purchased in places
like NewEgg aren't for end-users. The license specifies that the purchaser
may only install the software on a computer for sale to end users. The
system builder license doesn't look anything like the EULA and only
addresses use of the software to prepare a computer for sale. It goes
expires when the computer passes into possession of the buyer.

The EULA is in the software itself and the EULA does not permit transfer.

The OEM (System Builder) License is available here with choice of the
desired language:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx
 
If it came preinstalled (OEM) by the manufacturer of the laptop (almost a
certainty) it may not be transferred to any computer. It might not even be
installable on another computer anyway, depending on who the mfg was. If
you like, you can test that in a virtual machine under VPC without risking
messing up the computer. If it is an OEM copy and the computer is dead and
gone then toss the OEM copy of XP.

If it is a retail copy then you may use it on another computer.
 
Hmm as far as i know he not have the right to transfer an OEM copy. It
does not really matter if it was supplied with OEM's or bought from
shop. Only difference with the two, that most big oems (HP, DELL, and
others) xp installer/recovery discs coming with SLP key and not need
activation (unless BIOS fails to convince Win).
So there is even technical limitation to transfer it.
But if he bought an OEM from shop installed to a machine and then
transfering to another there is a chance he could reactivate it on the
new one (still it is a violation of the OEM EULA (when COA sticked on
=licensed device)).

Csaba
 
You are correct. He would not have the right to transfrer the software, not
only to another computer, but also to another device (defined as "blade or
partition") on the same computer, including a virtual machine.
 
John,

I dug out the EULA from my wife's HP laptop (Vista Home Premium x64) and
here are quotes from the pertinent parts.

"INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. The software license is permanently assigned
to the device with which you acquired the software. That device is the
“licensed device.†A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a
separate device."

Later in the EULA it states:

"TRANSFER TO A THIRD PARTY. You may transfer the software directly to a
third party only with the licensed device. You may not keep any copies of
the software or any earlier version. Before any permitted transfer, the
other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use
of the software. The transfer must include the Certificate of Authenticity
label."

It is located at C:\windows\system32\license on preinstalled systems and is
a Word doc.

On my grandson's Compaq which has XP Home preinstalled, the corresponding
section says:

"1.2 SOFTWARE as a Component of the COMPUTER - Transfer.
This license may not be shared, transferred to or used
concurrently on different computers. The SOFTWARE
is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated
product and may only be used with the COMPUTER.
If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE,
you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently
transfer all of your rights under this EULA only
as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the
COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies of the
SOFTWARE. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade,
any transfer must also include all prior versions
of the SOFTWARE. This transfer must
also include the Certificate of Authenticity
label. The transfer may not be an indirect transfer,
such as a consignment. Prior to the transfer,
the end user receiving the Software must agree
to all the EULA terms."

On preinstalled XP it is located at C:\windows\system32\eula and is a
notepad doc.

Hope this clears some things up.

The thing to remember is that those system builder packs on places like
NewEgg are not licensed to the end user but to a system builder who sells a
computer to the end user with the software preinstalled. That means that
someone buying one for a DIY or other computer is not in compliance with the
OEM (system builder) license that he is agreeing to by opening the package
because he is not preparing a computer for sale to an end user. In any
case, the EULA on the computer prohibits transfer even if the user bought
the software himself and installed it on his DIY or other computer out of
compliance with the system builder license.
 
Craig said:
I have a licensed copy of Win XP pro for a laptop that is now deceased....
Can I install this legitimately on another machine as a clean install?

Can i register this and satisfy the piracy police at Microsoft? How do i do
that?
Click to expand...


That depends entirely upon the specific type of WinXP license you have.

If it's an OEM license that came pre-installed on the laptop, as your
post seems to imply, then the answer would be "No." 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.

However, if you have a retail license, simply remove WinXP from the
computer it is currently on and then install it on the new computer. If
it's been more than 120 days since you last activated that specific
Product Key, the you'll most likely be able to activate via the Internet
without problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute
phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Thanks for that update Colin

I don't have access to an OEM copy of the EULA simply because whenever I buy
a new PC I always strip the OEM operating system off (along with all the
rubbish they add to it) and install a full retail copy.

I have to admit that, in previous posts, on this particular subject I have
usually gone for the 'no you can't' option when it came to OEM transfers.
However, I got so many people telling me that I was totally wrong that I
began to believe it myself. As far as I was aware the only transferable copy
of an OS was a retail version, so it look as if I was right in the first
place. I should have stuck to my guns instead of changing my mind:-)

Thanks anyway for clarifying the matter.


--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
You were always right on that point, John.

These people are the one who don't have the guts to do whatever it is they
are going to do anyway and just shut up about it. They have this need for
affirmation that they really aren't being crooked and I for one, even
knowing very well that they aren't listening to something they don't want to
hear, am not going to give them any affirmation. Let their consciouses
bother them. I sleep well.

We never hear from the others.

I have come to the conclusion that the best way to summarize all this for
users is that under the consumer_oem eula, the device (computer if you
prefer) and oem-installed software are one and indivisible.
 
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