P
Pat Glenn
I have recently purchased a new computer and received an OEM copy of windows
XP. When I did my setting up, rather than install the new disk, I installed
XP using the old disk (another OEM XP disk) from my former computer. I
figured that I could just keep the new licence around in case I needed it in
the future for another computer (good thing too - people familiar with OEM
licence restrictions probably can guess what's coming)
BTW, to set the record strait - I had intended to wipe the old machine and
convert it to linux as soon as I had my files transferred. While not in
perfect agreement with the licence I felt that for the time required to
transfer 400GB of data on an network this would be an acceptable compromise
and certainly much less time consuming than burning 6 or 700 CD's.
The CD installed fine. The activation went fine. Then I started to download
patches and updates while loading equpment specific drivers for the new
hardware. That's when the problems began. On the first reboot I got an error
saying some file (I forget the name) couldn't be found, and then it told me
my windows needed to be reactivated and I only have 3 days with which to do
this. So, back to MS Download where I am now informed that I have "exceeded
my activation limit" and then they present me with a phone # to purchase a
'legitimate copy'.
That's what happened. Now to try and figure out how to solve the mess...
Several questions:
1) How do I clear off my new system COMPLETELY - with no trace whatsoever of
the OS so that I can re-install using the new disk and new validation code
that I had set aside (Some investigation has shown me that the OEM version
is tied to the specific MB/CPU and since that has changed the old disk can't
be reinstalled) From experience with ME and Win2K I believe that the drive
is somehow marked and the O/S is nearly impossible to remove. I don't want
remnants of an old install to screw up a new install. I already have enough
problems on my plate.
2)Concerning the old system: Since I have ran into these difficulties, if I
decide to change my plans and keep XP running on that system, instead of
going to Linux as planned, I'm presuming that this system will still keep on
running. My main concern now is this: Now that I have received this
activation error form MS Download, what is going to happen the next time I
go to get updates from MS using that old machine?
3) I may consider a dual boot arrangement, but that would probably be easier
if I formatted and re-installed, re-partitioning along the way. Since I have
been told by the licence checker that I have "exceeded my activation limit"
are they now going to tell me that I cant re-install that old disk even onto
the old machine?
XP. When I did my setting up, rather than install the new disk, I installed
XP using the old disk (another OEM XP disk) from my former computer. I
figured that I could just keep the new licence around in case I needed it in
the future for another computer (good thing too - people familiar with OEM
licence restrictions probably can guess what's coming)
BTW, to set the record strait - I had intended to wipe the old machine and
convert it to linux as soon as I had my files transferred. While not in
perfect agreement with the licence I felt that for the time required to
transfer 400GB of data on an network this would be an acceptable compromise
and certainly much less time consuming than burning 6 or 700 CD's.
The CD installed fine. The activation went fine. Then I started to download
patches and updates while loading equpment specific drivers for the new
hardware. That's when the problems began. On the first reboot I got an error
saying some file (I forget the name) couldn't be found, and then it told me
my windows needed to be reactivated and I only have 3 days with which to do
this. So, back to MS Download where I am now informed that I have "exceeded
my activation limit" and then they present me with a phone # to purchase a
'legitimate copy'.
That's what happened. Now to try and figure out how to solve the mess...
Several questions:
1) How do I clear off my new system COMPLETELY - with no trace whatsoever of
the OS so that I can re-install using the new disk and new validation code
that I had set aside (Some investigation has shown me that the OEM version
is tied to the specific MB/CPU and since that has changed the old disk can't
be reinstalled) From experience with ME and Win2K I believe that the drive
is somehow marked and the O/S is nearly impossible to remove. I don't want
remnants of an old install to screw up a new install. I already have enough
problems on my plate.
2)Concerning the old system: Since I have ran into these difficulties, if I
decide to change my plans and keep XP running on that system, instead of
going to Linux as planned, I'm presuming that this system will still keep on
running. My main concern now is this: Now that I have received this
activation error form MS Download, what is going to happen the next time I
go to get updates from MS using that old machine?
3) I may consider a dual boot arrangement, but that would probably be easier
if I formatted and re-installed, re-partitioning along the way. Since I have
been told by the licence checker that I have "exceeded my activation limit"
are they now going to tell me that I cant re-install that old disk even onto
the old machine?