XP Home...Move to another computer...

  • Thread starter Thread starter da-bearz
  • Start date Start date
D

da-bearz

I just purchased a used computer and it has a big HDD
with Windows XP Home installed on it. I have the CD key
and the "Certificate of Authentication" and would like to
put this HDD in my current computer and use the Windows
XP Home, since my current OS is Windows 98SE. Can I do
this? Can I activate it? Anyone has experience with this,
please advise. Thanks
 
If Windows XP was preinstalled on that used computer, it is
an "OEM Version". OEM Versions are non-transferable to
another computer since the license is "permanently bound" to
that specific computer. Therefore it will not install, nor activate,
on any other computer.

You should read your EULA:

To access the License Agreement on your XP computer, go to:

Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.

Then click on "End-User License Agreement".

You can also open XP's "Help and Support" and type: EULA
and hit enter. Click on "Questions and answers about the EULA".

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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|I just purchased a used computer and it has a big HDD
| with Windows XP Home installed on it. I have the CD key
| and the "Certificate of Authentication" and would like to
| put this HDD in my current computer and use the Windows
| XP Home, since my current OS is Windows 98SE. Can I do
| this? Can I activate it? Anyone has experience with this,
| please advise. Thanks
 
Greetings --

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many OEM licenses are not
transferable to a new motherboard), unless your motherboard is
virtually identical (same chipset, same IDE controllers, same BIOS
version, etc.) to the one on which the other WinXP installation was
originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair (a.k.a. in-place
upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also require re-activation. 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.


Bruce Chambers
--
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having both at once. -- RAH
 
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