Reinstalling WinXP on a new computer (licence question)

  • Thread starter Thread starter kevinbeall
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kevinbeall

I am building a new computer and I have a question about my copy of WinXP
prof. Here is the disclaimer on the Microsoft website:

Software Media, Manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity
The software media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity may only be
transferred to another end user if the PC on which it was installed is also
transferred. If you acquired your Windows Desktop operating system as a
full-packaged product through retail or your reseller, then you have the
right to uninstall from one PC and reinstall to your new PC.

My question: I am building a new computer that will be Windows Vista
capable. I want to transfer my old copy of WinXP to my new computer until
Vista comes out. Then I would like to buy a copy of Vista for my new
computer and re-download XP back to my old machine. Will this be a problem
for me in any way? From reading the disclaimer, it looks like that is okay.
Both copies of the OS's will be bought and paid for. Anyone see any
potential problems with this? I guess each time you reinstall the OS, you
have to use your product ID code?

kev
 
Just remember to remove Windows XP Pro from your 'old' machine. You can't
have it running on two machines, so reformat the hard drive on your old
machine to get rid of the copy of XP on that and then install from your CD
onto your new computer.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
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..
 
kevinbeall said:
I am building a new computer and I have a question about my copy of WinXP
prof. Here is the disclaimer on the Microsoft website:

Software Media, Manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity
The software media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity may only be
transferred to another end user if the PC on which it was installed is
also transferred. If you acquired your Windows Desktop operating system as
a full-packaged product through retail or your reseller, then you have the
right to uninstall from one PC and reinstall to your new PC.

My question: I am building a new computer that will be Windows Vista
capable. I want to transfer my old copy of WinXP to my new computer until
Vista comes out. Then I would like to buy a copy of Vista for my new
computer and re-download XP back to my old machine. Will this be a
problem for me in any way? From reading the disclaimer, it looks like
that is okay. Both copies of the OS's will be bought and paid for. Anyone
see any potential problems with this? I guess each time you reinstall the
OS, you have to use your product ID code?

kev
Click to expand...
Is your OS retail or OEM?
Antioch
 
antioch said:
Is your OS retail or OEM?
Antioch
Click to expand...

I bought the copy from Newegg.com, and I believe it is OEM. I usually put
together my own systems from different parts and buy an OS at the same time.
It's just been a few years since I've done this, and I hate to buy a new
copy of XP and then another copy of Vista in (hopefully) just a few more
months. What I plan to do is to load Linux on my old machine in the
interim, just to play around with, so I will reformat my old machine and not
have both machines loaded up with the same copy of XP. I know this comes up
frequently on this newsgroup, but I'm not sure how many times you can
reformat and reload the same copy. Seems like it would only be a problem if
you were trying to use one copy on multiple computers.

thx for the fast reply!
 
John Barnett MVP said:
Just remember to remove Windows XP Pro from your 'old' machine. You can't
have it running on two machines, so reformat the hard drive on your old
machine to get rid of the copy of XP on that and then install from your CD
onto your new computer.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
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..
Click to expand...

Thank you, John. I didn't actually think it would be a problem, but I
wanted to make sure before I went through the hastle of reformatting my old
machine (I have everything backed up on an ext. HD). I'll probably load up
a copy of Linux on my old machine until after Vista comes out. (I hope
that's not heresy around here!) :)
 
kevinbeall said:
I am building a new computer and I have a question about my copy of WinXP
prof. Here is the disclaimer on the Microsoft website:

Software Media, Manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity
The software media, manuals, and Certificate of Authenticity may only be
transferred to another end user if the PC on which it was installed is also
transferred. If you acquired your Windows Desktop operating system as a
full-packaged product through retail or your reseller, then you have the
right to uninstall from one PC and reinstall to your new PC.

My question: I am building a new computer that will be Windows Vista
capable. I want to transfer my old copy of WinXP to my new computer until
Vista comes out. Then I would like to buy a copy of Vista for my new
computer and re-download XP back to my old machine. Will this be a problem
for me in any way?
Click to expand...


Do you have an OEM or retail license? 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.


From reading the disclaimer, it looks like that is okay.
Click to expand...


Assuming a retail license, yes.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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
 
Bruce Chambers said:
Do you have an OEM or retail license? 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.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, I see. Looks like I can't transfer the licence, after all. I bought
the CD from Newegg, but it was listed as OEM. Oh well, maybe Vista will be
out relatively soon and I won't have to worry about it. I haven't actually
ordered the parts for my new computer, yet. I could probably save some $$
by waiting until Intel and AMD come out with their versions of Quad
Core/4x4... But, I should be able to reformat my old computer and reload
the current version of XP on the same computer, correct? I need to get all
of the clingons off and start fresh...

thanks
 
kevinbeall said:
Ahhh, I see. Looks like I can't transfer the licence, after all. I
bought the CD from Newegg, but it was listed as OEM. Oh well, maybe Vista
will be out relatively soon and I won't have to worry about it. I haven't
actually ordered the parts for my new computer, yet. I could probably
save some $$ by waiting until Intel and AMD come out with their versions
of Quad Core/4x4... But, I should be able to reformat my old computer and
reload the current version of XP on the same computer, correct? I need to
get all of the clingons off and start fresh...

thanks
Click to expand...
Kevin
There have been very heated exchanges within the xp groups for some time re
the EULA - there are those who stick strictly to the rules of the EULA and
others who can give workarounds as they feel it ridiculous that this is a
restrictive practice of MS.
To some degree, the workaround involves a free tel call to MS and you lie
about your reasons for having to reinstall/activate etc.
As yet, none of those who would make such a suggestion, have spotted your
thread.
As a decision for you is not immediate, you can always search in the groups,
xp.general, xp.basic and xp.newusers, as well as that awful web interface
discussion group. Keywords like, validation, changing motherboard,
activating OEM.
Personally I am in accord with Bruce on such matters, and perhaps should not
encourage you. ;-)
Rgds
Antioch
 
antioch said:
There have been very heated exchanges within the xp groups for some time re
the EULA - there are those who stick strictly to the rules of the EULA and
others who can give workarounds as they feel it ridiculous that this is a
restrictive practice of MS.
Click to expand...


It's not the matter of there being a "restrictive practice;" it's
purely a matter of integrity. The OEM license costs significantly less
then a retail license, one of the primary reasons being its lack of
transferability. When the purchaser agrees to the OEM EULA, he's
agreeing to a legally enforceable contract. When one violates the EULA,
one is proving that one's word cannot be trusted and that one's
signaturwe on any other sort of contract is worthless.

To some degree, the workaround involves a free tel call to MS and you lie
about your reasons for having to reinstall/activate etc.
Click to expand...


"Lie." Precisely. The "work-around" is for only those with no
integrity. Thank you for proving the point.

As yet, none of those who would make such a suggestion, have spotted your
thread.
As a decision for you is not immediate, you can always search in the groups,
xp.general, xp.basic and xp.newusers, as well as that awful web interface
discussion group. Keywords like, validation, changing motherboard,
activating OEM.
Personally I am in accord with Bruce on such matters, and perhaps should not
encourage you. ;-)
Rgds
Antioch
Click to expand...


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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
 
Bruce Chambers said:
It's not the matter of there being a "restrictive practice;" it's purely
a matter of integrity. The OEM license costs significantly less then a
retail license, one of the primary reasons being its lack of
transferability. When the purchaser agrees to the OEM EULA, he's agreeing
to a legally enforceable contract. When one violates the EULA, one is
proving that one's word cannot be trusted and that one's signaturwe on any
other sort of contract is worthless.




"Lie." Precisely. The "work-around" is for only those with no integrity.
Thank you for proving the point.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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
Click to expand...

Well, I certainly didn't mean to open an old can of worms. I guess I am in
a position where I am able to afford to pay for the software I use. Not
having followed this information, and only remotely being aware of the
controversy, I haven't formed a stance. I did not realize when I purchased
"OEM" that I could not transfer the software to another computer (the
computer being my own). But, that being said, I doubt it would have altered
my decision, at that time. I really do appreciate your inputs...

Kev
 
Bruce Chambers said:
It's not the matter of there being a "restrictive practice;" it's purely
a matter of integrity. The OEM license costs significantly less then a
retail license, one of the primary reasons being its lack of
transferability. When the purchaser agrees to the OEM EULA, he's agreeing
to a legally enforceable contract. When one violates the EULA, one is
proving that one's word cannot be trusted and that one's signaturwe on any
other sort of contract is worthless.




"Lie." Precisely. The "work-around" is for only those with no integrity.
Thank you for proving the point.



Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
Click to expand...

Phew - why do I feel as if I have just had a good bollocking :-o

Antioch
 
'kevinbeall' wrote:
| Well, I certainly didn't mean to open an old can of worms. I guess I am
in
| a position where I am able to afford to pay for the software I use. Not
| having followed this information, and only remotely being aware of the
| controversy, I haven't formed a stance. I did not realize when I
purchased
| "OEM" that I could not transfer the software to another computer (the
| computer being my own). But, that being said, I doubt it would have
altered
| my decision, at that time. I really do appreciate your inputs

Also, no matter whether or not the XP Pro you have is OEM or retail, your
scenario does not permit legally installing a Windows Vista Upgrade version.

Phil Weldon

| Well, I certainly didn't mean to open an old can of worms. I guess I am
in
| a position where I am able to afford to pay for the software I use. Not
| having followed this information, and only remotely being aware of the
| controversy, I haven't formed a stance. I did not realize when I
purchased
| "OEM" that I could not transfer the software to another computer (the
| computer being my own). But, that being said, I doubt it would have
altered
| my decision, at that time. I really do appreciate your inputs...
|
| Kev
|
|
 
If it is OEM it is permanently locked to the first pc it is activated on and
cannot legally be moved to another pc.

--
Larry Samuels Associate Expert
MS-MVP (2001-2005)
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm
Expert Zone-
 
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