Moving xp license from old pc to new problems

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peter

I have an old pc that I bought with xp preinstalled. The pc is old and
dying so I bought a new pc without xp as I thought I could use the
license on the new pc. I did a clean install on the new pc and when it
came to entering the key it was rejected. The key was on the panel on
the side of the old pc and I double checked it on the old pc by using
jellybean finder software.

Eventually I used a key code from my work pc just to get the pc
working (so that I could transfer data) but of course I can't update
and I have the 30 day warning.

Why didn't my old pc key work? Now that I've used another key to start
the xp working is there a way of correcting this?

Would welcome any help..

Peter
 
peter said:
I have an old pc that I bought with xp preinstalled. The pc is old and
dying so I bought a new pc without xp as I thought I could use the
license on the new pc. I did a clean install on the new pc and when it
came to entering the key it was rejected. The key was on the panel on
the side of the old pc and I double checked it on the old pc by using
jellybean finder software.

Eventually I used a key code from my work pc just to get the pc
working (so that I could transfer data) but of course I can't update
and I have the 30 day warning.

Why didn't my old pc key work? Now that I've used another key to start
the xp working is there a way of correcting this?
Click to expand...

Unless your old PC came preinstalled with a Retail version of XP (highly
unlikely!!!), it has a non-transferrable OEM license. This means your
license to run XP is only for your older PC.
 
peter said:
I have an old pc that I bought with xp preinstalled. The pc is old and
dying so I bought a new pc without xp as I thought I could use the
license on the new pc. I did a clean install on the new pc and when it
came to entering the key it was rejected. The key was on the panel on
the side of the old pc and I double checked it on the old pc by using
jellybean finder software.

Eventually I used a key code from my work pc just to get the pc
working (so that I could transfer data) but of course I can't update
and I have the 30 day warning.

Why didn't my old pc key work? Now that I've used another key to start
the xp working is there a way of correcting this?
Click to expand...


By your own admission, you have an OEM license for WinXP from the
defunct machine. An OEM version must be sold with a piece of hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard drive, 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.

You'll need to purchase a new WinXP license for the new computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

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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
 
At this moment you do not own a valid XP license for the new computer, since
OEM licenses are non-transferrable.

You have several choices:

But, first, copy all important data to an external hard drive (and/or DVDs).
You might also want to use the documents and settings transfer wizard to
make a copy of settings (not documents). And, just in case of even more
problems, I would recommend making a manual copy of your favorites, email,
etc. Then,

(1) Use an existing XP retail CD, if you own one, to do a "repair" install.
When asked for product key information, use the new one. Unlike an OEM CD,
activation should be permitted, since a retail license can be moved from PC
to PC, so long as it is only installed on one at a time. Of course, this
presumes (a) you have a retail CD, (b) you are willing to use it on the new
PC, instead of whatever PC it is currently installed upon.

(2) Buy a new full retail license (i.e., CD in unopened box) and do a
"repair install". (around $200 for XP home)

(3) Buy a new OEM license and do a "clean" install on the new PC. Then,
transfer back setting and personal files, and re-install all other software.
Caution, "clean" means format first, install second. Of course, this might
be a good time to consider pre-partitioning the hard drive to separate your
personal files form XP+programs. Plan on installing XP and programs on C:\
and keep your data on D:\. (around $90 for XP home)

(4) Forget Windows and download and install one of several free LINUX
distributions, such a Ubuntu, Suse, etc.
http://www.thefreecountry.com/operating-systems/linux-distributions.shtml
All can recognize external USB and firewire hard drives, DVDs, etc. And
most can read NTFS-formatted partitions (likely on a large external hard
drive used with XP). All will read FAT32 formatted partitions.

(5) Contact the old PC maker and ask about getting a new motherboard from
them. If they are (a) still in business, (b) willing to support you, then
they might sell you a motherboard that is compatible with the license from
the old PC. Basically, pre-installed licenses are usually tied to the BIOS
of the motherboard, which is fairly unique to a given brand and model.
(cost unknown; also, at best you will have an old PC that works again)

(6) Get a MAC. (only half serious; expensive, but will work out of the box)
 
peter said:
I have an old pc that I bought with xp preinstalled. The pc is old and
dying so I bought a new pc without xp as I thought I could use the
license on the new pc. I did a clean install on the new pc and when it
came to entering the key it was rejected. The key was on the panel on
the side of the old pc and I double checked it on the old pc by using
jellybean finder software.

Eventually I used a key code from my work pc just to get the pc
working (so that I could transfer data) but of course I can't update
and I have the 30 day warning.

Why didn't my old pc key work? Now that I've used another key to start
the xp working is there a way of correcting this?

Would welcome any help..

Peter
Click to expand...

Your old key didn't work because it was an OEM key, and you didn't use an
OEM disk to install. The key and the disk type have to match.

OEM licenses are not transferable from system to system; they live and die
on the first system they are installed to.

You correct this by doing a repair install with the matching keys and disk.

HTH
-pk
 
Your old key didn't work because it was an OEM key, and you didn't use an
OEM disk to install.   The key and the disk type have to match.

OEM licenses are not transferable from system to system; they live and die
on the first system they are installed to.

You correct this by doing a repair install with the matching keys and disk.

HTH
-pk- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Thanks to all for your replies.
 
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