Swapping XP licences between 2 PCs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Davey iPAQ
  • Start date Start date
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Davey iPAQ

Hello there,
I've got 2 PCs one running XP Pro, the other running XP Media centre.
Both licences were OEM versions purchased with the hardware to build
the machines.

As I only use the XP Pro machine (it's a higer spec than the other),
I've decided to sell the other one or swap it for an iPod, but I'd
like to swap the versions of windows between the 2 machines so I can
keep the features of media centre.

Does anyone know if I'll have any issues if I just trash both machines
and rebuild using the other machines XP licence?

Thanks,
Dave.
 
An OEM version of XP is tied to the system it came with. It cannot be
installed on a different system; I believe it's keyed to the motherboard
somehow.
 
Davey said:
Hello there,
I've got 2 PCs one running XP Pro, the other running XP Media
centre. Both licences were OEM versions purchased with the hardware
to build the machines.

As I only use the XP Pro machine (it's a higer spec than the other),
I've decided to sell the other one or swap it for an iPod, but I'd
like to swap the versions of windows between the 2 machines so I can
keep the features of media centre.

Does anyone know if I'll have any issues if I just trash both
machines and rebuild using the other machines XP licence?
Click to expand...

"Technical" issues - likely none.
"EULA" issues - yes.
 
Ok, so it seems that even if I rephrase the question along the lines
of, I've binned the hardware but want to install the os on a new
machine, I'm still on dodgy ground?
 
Ok, so it seems that even if I rephrase the question along the lines
of, I've binned the hardware but want to install the os on a new
machine, I'm still on dodgy ground?
Click to expand...



Correct. That's the single biggest disadvantage of an OEM version, and
why I almost always recommend against them.
 
Davey said:
I've got 2 PCs one running XP Pro, the other running XP Media
centre. Both licences were OEM versions purchased with the hardware
to build the machines.

As I only use the XP Pro machine (it's a higer spec than the other),
I've decided to sell the other one or swap it for an iPod, but I'd
like to swap the versions of windows between the 2 machines so I can
keep the features of media centre.

Does anyone know if I'll have any issues if I just trash both
machines and rebuild using the other machines XP licence?
Click to expand...

Shenan said:
"Technical" issues - likely none.
"EULA" issues - yes.
Click to expand...

Davey said:
Ok, so it seems that even if I rephrase the question along the lines
of, I've binned the hardware but want to install the os on a new
machine, I'm still on dodgy ground?
Click to expand...

OEM license agreements are quite strict.
The OEM OS is tied to the first system it is installed upon.

If you were to soak the computer in jet fuel, burn it to molten slag - yet
still have the OEM copy of the CD and the proper product key - in strict
terms of the EULA (End-User Licensing Agreement) that came with the OEM
version of Windows XP - you might as well throw the CD and product key into
the fire too - as they are one.

From a generic 'will it technically work' standpoint - given you stated you
built these machines and the OEM licensed copies were purchased with the
hardware you used to build the machines... You could likely format, install
(with your swap idea) and if 180 days or more has passed - activate both
copies over the Internet and it would all work without a hiccup. That is
because the copies are 'generic' OEM copies - nothing PHYSICALLY or in the
code tied to any hardware you have.
 
Ok, thanks for the quick feedback, really appreciate it.

Anyone know where I can get cheap jet fuel?
 
Almost forgot to ask, but it sounds like I won't have a problem just
trashing the machines and reinstalling from their respective install
CDs?

Ta,
Dave.
 
since you got the OEM version with purchased hardware and NOT as preinstalled with a purchased computer.
no reason why you cannot do so.
if there is a problem that requires activation, simply call ms and tell them you upgraded your MOBO or hard drive.

an OEM copy received with purchasing say a hard drive is NOT tied to a computer.




(e-mail address removed)



Hello there,
I've got 2 PCs one running XP Pro, the other running XP Media centre.
Both licences were OEM versions purchased with the hardware to build
the machines.

As I only use the XP Pro machine (it's a higer spec than the other),
I've decided to sell the other one or swap it for an iPod, but I'd
like to swap the versions of windows between the 2 machines so I can
keep the features of media centre.

Does anyone know if I'll have any issues if I just trash both machines
and rebuild using the other machines XP licence?

Thanks,
Dave.
 
in message
Hello there,
I've got 2 PCs one running XP Pro, the other running XP Media centre.
Both licences were OEM versions purchased with the hardware to build
the machines.

As I only use the XP Pro machine (it's a higer spec than the other),
I've decided to sell the other one or swap it for an iPod, but I'd
like to swap the versions of windows between the 2 machines so I can
keep the features of media centre.

Does anyone know if I'll have any issues if I just trash both machines
and rebuild using the other machines XP licence?
Click to expand...


You'll need the read the actual EULA on the machine(s) for Windows.
Many people read more into the EULA than is actually stated there.
Don't make inferences. The OEM license is tied to the qualifying
hardware with which the license was purchased. There is no conditions
within the EULA that says a larger [sub]system gobbles up the licenses
tied to the qualifying component hardware. It depends on how the OEM
license was provided. Since you don't mention building these hosts,
they are probably pre-builts and that means the license is tied to the
box but they cannot legally preclude you from replacing broken hardware
to repair the box. I don't think they can even preclude your ability to
upgrade the hardware; otherwise, no one would be able to replace a
broken motherboard (and put in a better one), or add more memory, or get
a bigger hard drive or a second one, or add a modem or NIC, or replace a
weak PSU, or add a CD/DVD drive after the Windows install.
 
mikeyhsd said:
an OEM copy received with purchasing say a hard drive is NOT tied to a
computer.
Click to expand...


Have you never read an OEM EULA? If so, why tell the above lie? If
not, why even answer the question? You're speaking from ignorance.


--

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
 
Vanguard said:
You'll need the read the actual EULA on the machine(s) for Windows. Many
people read more into the EULA than is actually stated there. Don't make
inferences. The OEM license is tied to the qualifying hardware with
which the license was purchased. There is no conditions within the EULA
that says a larger [sub]system gobbles up the licenses tied to the
qualifying component hardware.
Click to expand...


Actually, the OEM EULA does say exactly that, if not in those precise
words:

"The term "COMPUTER" as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE, if
the HARDWARE is a single computer system, or shall mean the
computer system with which the HARDWARE operates, if the
HARDWARE is a computer system component."



--

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
 
since you got the OEM version with purchased hardware and NOT as preinstalled with a purchased computer.
no reason why you cannot do so.
if there is a problem that requires activation, simply call ms and tell them you upgraded your MOBO or hard drive.

an OEM copy received with purchasing say a hard drive is NOT tied to a computer.
Click to expand...



This is completely wrong, as you will see if you read the EULA. An OEM
copy is permanently tied to the first computer it is installed on,
*regardless* of what hardware it was purchased with.
 
Bruce Chambers said:
Vanguard said:
You'll need the read the actual EULA on the machine(s) for Windows.
Many people read more into the EULA than is actually stated there.
Don't make inferences. The OEM license is tied to the qualifying
hardware with which the license was purchased. There is no
conditions within the EULA that says a larger [sub]system gobbles up
the licenses tied to the qualifying component hardware.
Click to expand...


Actually, the OEM EULA does say exactly that, if not in those precise
words:

"The term "COMPUTER" as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE, if
the HARDWARE is a single computer system, or shall mean the
computer system with which the HARDWARE operates, if the
HARDWARE is a computer system component."
Click to expand...


And your point? So the qualifying hardware to which the OEM license is
attached is used in one "computer". If you want to move the license to
another computer, most the hardware to which the license was attached.
Now that qualifying component hardware is in another computer.

"you may install, use, access, display and run only one (1) copy of the
SOFTWARE on the COMPUTER." The components of the "computer" can change.
Microsoft cannot dictate that no user of their software is not permitted
to repair or upgrade their hardware since that hardware is not
Microsoft's property and yet that is the environment in which Microsoft
wants to market their product. From the definition of "computer" (and
of the component hardware), there is nothing that says the hardware
cannot change or the component be moved. Obviously if you remove the
qualifying component hardware from one box and put it in another then
there has been no loss in license revenue to Microsoft as the old box
now no longer should have a copy of Windows and only the new box have
that existing license.

"The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated
product and may only be used with the COMPUTER." Again, and from their
definition of "computer" concerning the component which was the
qualifying hardware for the software license, this does not restrict you
from moving that component into another box which then becomes the
"computer". Whether you can move the OEM software license depends on
what was the qualifying hardware for it. "If the SOFTWARE is not
accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE." Notice now the
term is hardware and not computer. Other statements regarding transfer
also use "computer" instead of "hardware" and from the definition of
"computer" then the "hardware" can still be moved into another box which
then becomes the "computer".

Don't infer more than is actually stipulated in the license. You'll end
up helping others at the expense of yourself.
 
Vanguard said:
Don't infer more than is actually stipulated in the license. You'll end
up helping others at the expense of yourself.
Click to expand...

I "inferred" nothing. The OEM EULA plainly and clearly states, that
the first computer on which the OEM license is installed is the computer
to which the license is permanently bound. I've simply pointed out the
definition of that first computer. Don't let your wishful thinking lead
you and others into contract violations.


--

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
 
in message
I "inferred" nothing. The OEM EULA plainly and clearly states, that
the first computer on which the OEM license is installed is the
computer to which the license is permanently bound. I've simply
pointed out the definition of that first computer. Don't let your
wishful thinking lead you and others into contract violations.
Click to expand...


"The OEM EULA plainly and clearly states, that the first computer on
which the OEM license is installed is the computer to which the license
is permanently bound."

Please point that out as to where in the EULA that is explicitly stated.
 
Vanguard said:
in message



"The OEM EULA plainly and clearly states, that the first computer on
which the OEM license is installed is the computer to which the license
is permanently bound."

Please point that out as to where in the EULA that is explicitly stated.
Click to expand...


It's not "explicitly stated," but it's still made perfectly clear:

"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 HARDWARE as a single
integrated product and may only be used with the HARDWARE.... "

Refer to definition of "Computer" in the earlier paragraph.

"I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you."


--

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
 
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