Replacing My Computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert
  • Start date Start date
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Robert

Will I have to buy another copy of XP Professisonal,
since I am replacing my old computer with a new one and I
want to install my copy of XP from my old computer.
 
Assuming you have a "Retail Version" of Windows XP,
once you remove Windows XP from your old computer
(via reformatting the hard drive), you can then install it
on your new computer. If you are not successful
activating Windows XP via the internet, use the "activate
by phone" option to obtain a new (and free) activation code.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Will I have to buy another copy of XP Professisonal,
| since I am replacing my old computer with a new one and I
| want to install my copy of XP from my old computer.
 
Robert said:
Will I have to buy another copy of XP Professisonal,
since I am replacing my old computer with a new one and I
want to install my copy of XP from my old computer.

It depends upon the specific type of license you have for WinXP.

If you have a retail license, simply remove WinXP from the
computer it is currently on, and install it onto the new one. If it's
been more than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product
Key, 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

If you have an OEM license (i.e., the OS came pre-installed from
the factory), then yes, you'll have to buy a new WinXP license for the
new computer. OEM licenses costs significantly less than retail
licenses, partly because they are not transferable. OEM versions must
be sold with a non-peripheral piece of hardware (normally a
motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC) and are permanently
bound to the first PC on which they are installed. An OEM license,
once installed, is not legally transferable to another computer under
any circumstances. This is the main reason some people avoid OEM
versions; if the PC dies or is otherwise disposed of (even stolen),
you cannot re-use your OEM license on a new PC.

--

Bruce Chambers

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