In
Rence said:
I am getting a new computer that does not come with an
operating system installed. I want to install my present
version of XP on the new computer and re-install Me on my
existing computer. I have heard that I will have to call
Microsoft to do this. Is this true?
No, not exactly. First of all, what kind of copy of XP do you
have--Full, Upgrade, or OEM (it's OEM if, for example, it came
with the computer)?
If it's OEM, you can't do this at all. It may be BIOS locked to
the old computer, but even if it isn't, the OEM version's license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on. It
can never legally be moved to another computer, sold, or given
away.
If it's a retail copy--Full or Upgrade--al you need to do is take
it off the old computer, then install XP on the new one. You will
have to reactivate it; if it's been at least 120 days since it
was first activated, it will activate on the new computer just as
it did before, over the internet.
Only if it's been fewer than 120 days will you have to call
Microsoft to activate. But this is quick and easy, and no problem
at all--you just explain the circumstances and they will believe
you.
If so, what is the
phone number?
You'll be given an 800 number to call when you try to activate.
