Transfer XP To New Computer?

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I purchased a new version of Windows XP Pro and registered it for use on my
existing laptop. I was told it was a full package version. I have three
questions:

1) How to I confirm that it was full version?

2) I'm getting a new laptop that comes with XP Home. Assuming the XP Pro
version I purchased is a full version, can I legally remove it from the old
computer and load it on the new computer?

3) Assuming it's legal to transfer the software, do I just load it on the
new notebook and enter the same number I used the first time or do I need to
get something from MS that will allow me to load it on the new computer?
 
Hi,
1) How to I confirm that it was full version?
Click to expand...

By trying to do a clean install to a formatted disk without a qualifying
media disk or existing installation. An upgrade disk won't do it without one
of those. The serial number on the disk itself can also tell a support
person if the disk is full or upgrade, but I don't have access to that
database. A full version disk should state so right on the packaging.
2) I'm getting a new laptop that comes with XP Home. Assuming the XP Pro
version I purchased is a full version, can I legally remove it from the
old
computer and load it on the new computer?
Click to expand...

Sure, as long as it's retail and not OEM. Don't confuse Full/Upgrade with
Retail/OEM. A full version could be either, an upgrade is likely to be
retail. One caveat of the OEM version (and one reason why it's cheaper) is
that it is generally (not always) permanently tied to the hardware it is
initially activated (not installed) on. A retail version can be moved as
often as you please, the only "condition" being that it is removed from the
old system first (hard to prove, so all you have to do is state that it's
been removed).
3) Assuming it's legal to transfer the software, do I just load it on the
new notebook and enter the same number I used the first time or do I need
to
get something from MS that will allow me to load it on the new computer?
Click to expand...

Do it just like you just did. At activation, you may be prompted to phone it
in due to the short time span between installations. If it's over 120 days
since the original activation, the activation will likely proceed through
the internet without a phone call.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
tlm said:
I purchased a new version of Windows XP Pro and registered it for use on my
existing laptop. I was told it was a full package version. I have three
questions:

1) How to I confirm that it was full version?
Click to expand...

There are two kinds of "full" versions: the non-transferable OEM
license and the transferable retail license. (I should also mention
that the definition of "full version" is open to discussion. Some
people don't consider an OEM license a "full" version because it isn't
transferable and therefore doesn't grant the licensee "full" rights.
Others, including myself, interpret the term "full version" on a more
technical basis, as its able to perform a full installation by itself,
without the need for an earlier OS, as opposed to the upgrade version.)

OEM licenses must be sold with a non-peripheral piece of hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire PC) and is
_permanently_ bound to the first computer on which it's installed. An
OEM license, once installed, is not legitimately transferable to another
computer under _any_ circumstances. Retail licenses can be purchased at
almost any retail department store or chain outlet, are not bound to any
hardware, and cost a lot more (@ $100 USD) then the OEM licenses.

The quickest way to tell the difference between an installed OEM
license and an installed retail license is to right-click the My
Computer icon and select Properties. On the General Tab, below the
"Registered to:" information is a 20 character Product ID in the format
of 12345-678-9876543-21234. If the Product ID is all numeric, you have
a retail license. If the Product ID is something like
12345-OEM-6789876-54321, then you have an OEM license.

Another indication would be to look at the original installation CD.
Does it bear the brand of a specific computer manufacturer? Or does it
say, "For distribution with a new PC only. For product support, contact
the manufacturer of your PC?" If so, you have an OEM license.

2) I'm getting a new laptop that comes with XP Home. Assuming the XP Pro
version I purchased is a full version, can I legally remove it from the old
computer and load it on the new computer?
Click to expand...


If you have a retail license, then, yes, you may remove it from the
older computer and transfer it to the new computer.

3) Assuming it's legal to transfer the software, do I just load it on the
new notebook and enter the same number I used the first time or do I need to
get something from MS that will allow me to load it on the new computer?
Click to expand...


You'd need to use the original Product Key that accompanied the WinXP
Pro CD.

Microsoft needn't be involved. There is no "de-activation" or
"unregistration" process, as such. If it's been more than 120 days
since you last activated that specific Product Key, the 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



--

Bruce Chambers

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