Bought XP Pro OEM version.

[antyler]

I have heard that there is a limit to the number of times that I can load OEM it. Is this true? Im not going to be sharing the software or anything, i simply want to load it on one or two of my home computers. Will this software allow me to do this, or is there some form of limitation?

 

[cjbee]

I have successfully activated XP on more than one computer, but the limit is 1. I'm fairly sure Microsoft has no knowledge of the number of the computers you have it on, but the amount of times you activate it over the internet is tracked however.

 

[mechBgon]

Your OEM WinXP Pro license entitles you to install it on one computer, and then it's "married" to that computer. You're not entitled to install it on more than one, and after you marry it to that computer, you can't "divorce" it from that computer and install it on a different one, because your license agreement doesn't allow it.

If you buy Windows licenses in the future, you might want to get Retail ones, which can get a "divorce" from one computer in order to move on to another one, unlike OEM. They cost more up front, but over a 10-year lifespan... yeah. Saves money in the long run. But it's still a case of needing one license for each computer that you want to run the software on.

 

[DRavisher]

Since the question has been correctly answered, I was just wondering how the student version works. Does it get a divorce if it wants, or is it as restricted as the OEM version? Also, does the student version expire when you are no longer a student?

And another thing: Can you buy a upgrade from OEM to Retail, or are the Retail upgrades only from other Retail versions?

 

[antyler]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Your OEM WinXP Pro license entitles you to install it on one computer, and then it's "married" to that computer. You're not entitled to install it on more than one, and after you marry it to that computer, you can't "divorce" it from that computer and install it on a different one, because your license agreement doesn't allow it.

If you buy Windows licenses in the future, you might want to get Retail ones, which can get a "divorce" from one computer in order to move on to another one, unlike OEM. They cost more up front, but over a 10-year lifespan... yeah. Saves money in the long run. But it's still a case of needing one license for each computer that you want to run the software on.

Is this only the case if I register with Microsoft, or will the OEM version of XP be married after one install regardless?


-----------------------------------------------------------
You may be asking to commit fraud

Mod

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: DRavisher
Since the question has been correctly answered, I was just wondering how the student version works. Does it get a divorce if it wants, or is it as restricted as the OEM version? Also, does the student version expire when you are no longer a student?

And another thing: Can you buy a upgrade from OEM to Retail, or are the Retail upgrades only from other Retail versions?

I have a student/univerisity version of XP (yes, it was obtained legaly).
That version of windows XP does not require activation, and it can be installed on multiple computers with no problems. It has no expiration, though you are suposed to stop using it when you are no longer a student.
Other than being tied to one computer there is no difference between any of the different types of windows XP (Retail, OEM, or Univeristy).

 

[DRavisher]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
I have a student/univerisity version of XP (yes, it was obtained legaly).
That version of windows XP does not require activation, and it can be installed on multiple computers with no problems. It has no expiration, though you are suposed to stop using it when you are no longer a student.
Other than being tied to one computer there is no difference between any of the different types of windows XP (Retail, OEM, or Univeristy).

Do you mean that the license permits a "divorce" (like Retail), or that such a divorce is practically possible?

 

[bcterps]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Your OEM WinXP Pro license entitles you to install it on one computer, and then it's "married" to that computer. You're not entitled to install it on more than one, and after you marry it to that computer, you can't "divorce" it from that computer and install it on a different one, because your license agreement doesn't allow it.

If you buy Windows licenses in the future, you might want to get Retail ones, which can get a "divorce" from one computer in order to move on to another one, unlike OEM. They cost more up front, but over a 10-year lifespan... yeah. Saves money in the long run. But it's still a case of needing one license for each computer that you want to run the software on.

What's the definition of "computer" though? Motherboard, CPU, hard drive, video card? Or some combination of the 4? I thought that you could change out any of those items, but you'd just need to reactivate it with MS afterwards.

 

[JSSheridan]

mechBgon, what you mean by 'that computer.'? Would it still be the same computer if I moved all the components into a different case? Can I upgrade my motherboard, CPU, and memory, keep everything else, and still have the same 'computer'?

 

[DRavisher]

What I have heard is this: You computer is in this case your motherboard. Other components can be canged without violating the license.

I also believe that the license sticker must be on the case of your computer, and that it is not permitted to remove the sticker. Thus you may not change the case either.

I am not completely sure about this, but it is what I have heard from different sources.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: benchiu

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Your OEM WinXP Pro license entitles you to install it on one computer, and then it's "married" to that computer. You're not entitled to install it on more than one, and after you marry it to that computer, you can't "divorce" it from that computer and install it on a different one, because your license agreement doesn't allow it.

If you buy Windows licenses in the future, you might want to get Retail ones, which can get a "divorce" from one computer in order to move on to another one, unlike OEM. They cost more up front, but over a 10-year lifespan... yeah. Saves money in the long run. But it's still a case of needing one license for each computer that you want to run the software on.

What's the definition of "computer" though? Motherboard, CPU, hard drive, video card? Or some combination of the 4? I thought that you could change out any of those items, but you'd just need to reactivate it with MS afterwards.

Microsoft says the motherboard is the tiebreaker, probably because it's the item that can bear a GUID (globally-unique ID) and also is the foundational component that makes all heck break loose when you replace it 😀 Now, if that's the case, it does make you wonder why the COA sticker is supposed to be stuck to the computer case, and not to the motherboard itself, but whatever 😕

I want to make a distinction here between these three things:

1. what the license agreement entitles you to
2. what some other guy on the IntarWeb got away with doing in the past
3. what you can nag a Microsoft rep into allowing by calling for a reactivation

I'm just addressing what's permissible by the license agreement and not touching the other ones. I believe you can locate copies of the different versions' license agreements on Microsoft's site if you want to compare them.

 

[bcterps]

Oh noes, I can't change my case! Lol 😛

Thanks for the info. Never knew that about the OEM license.

 

[JSSheridan]

Originally posted by: mechBgonNow, if that's the case, it does make you wonder why the COA sticker is supposed to be stuck to the computer case, and not to the motherboard itself, but whatever 😕

Probably because the reliability for cases vs. mainboards over time shows that cases are a bit more reliable. I've replaced bad motherboards before, but I've never needed to replace a case.

 

[jdport]

I bought my OEM copy of windows xp from an online vendor, (I don't remember who..would have to look it up)... it was a legit copy, had the hologram CD, etc... but I don't have any sticker on my case since the CD didn't come with the computer... but I guess it'd still be tied to the motherboard once I installed it.

 

[Akhen]

I have a student edition of Windows XP Pro/64bit (they came together with seperate cdkeys 😱)
but I am always required to active it over the internet each time I reformat.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Wow, such an ethical debate. I always struggle with what is right in regards to EULA's.

I don't think Microsoft binds it to the motherboard. My father wanted to upgrade his motherboard and CPU and basically just told the guy that he did it. Rep gave him the code for his new install. Everything else in the system was the same. I don't feel he violated the OEM license as his motherboard was giving him some real problems.

I think what many EULA supporters fails to understand is that if a EULA was not in place, then they would have sanctioning the misuse of their software. The EULA is there to prosocute if they so desire, not neccessarly designed to stop people dead in their tracks with a gray area.

I work for a software company, I hate software piracy and crack down on it. sometimes we allow the software to be used which violates the license agreement. Yes, we allow it. Yes, we see legimate reasons for it. There are reasons and exceptions to the rule that are not written in the license agreement. Therefore, EULA's are not completely black and white, though someone will argue it and I really am not going to argue.

As for the Jesus guy above, Mech? Wasn't it Jesus who condemned those who held to the written view of the law and not the spirit/intent? The Spirit of a EULA is so we do not steal from people/companies, but it isn't there to stop legimate uses that may possibly, though rarely, break a EULA.

 

[austin316]

O wow. I am completely confused. So if I buy Vista / XP and install it on a hard drive and my HD craps out, can I then install it on a new Hard Drive? Or once I go to activate / register it, it will state that this copy has already been registered?

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: austin316
O wow. I am completely confused. So if I buy Vista / XP and install it on a hard drive and my HD craps out, can I then install it on a new Hard Drive? Or once I go to activate / register it, it will state that this copy has already been registered?

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse things. Here is basically the written rule... You can upgrade everything except the case and motherboard. If you replace the case (you lose the sticker, which cannot be peeled off with the new OEM stickers) or the motherboard, or both, you need to purchase Windows XP again.

Now, keep in mind that Guindi in India will still give you a code even if you replace the motherboard, but they do not have too. But since MS is hard on piracy, if you are honest and they give you a code, you have done nothing wrong.

 

[mechBgon]

I don't think Microsoft binds it to the motherboard.

They do, if we're talking OEM.

My father wanted to upgrade his motherboard and CPU and basically just told the guy that he did it. Rep gave him the code for his new install.

See my note above distinguishing between what the license entitles people to, versus the other two options 😀

As for the Jesus guy above, Mech?

Oh yeah, the guy who says "Say 'yes' when you mean 'yes', and say 'no' when you mean 'no." So do you say Yes or No when that EULA comes up? 🙂 Do you mean it?

Another thought to ponder: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's..." 😉 No one's forcing me to buy two computers and use WinXP on them, I could use Linux if I seriously can't afford WinXP. In which case I probably can't afford two computers anyway. Anyway, you'll find I'm a proponent of buying Retail licenses, so that people don't have any ethical issues to wrestle with in the first place (other than using it on just one computer at a time). Buy retail Vista when it comes out, and OUCH there goes $300-$500, but that's for ten years* of use on any single computer you want to. That's what I'm going to do.


*Microsoft's minimum support lifecycle for the business-class versions, not necessarily Home

Probably because the reliability for cases vs. mainboards over time shows that cases are a bit more reliable. I've replaced bad motherboards before, but I've never needed to replace a case.

But I want to change my case! 😕 Aieee!

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
But I want to change my case! 😕 Aieee!

Get some tin-snips, cut off the COA and spot weld the plate on the new case.😛

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
See my note above distinguishing between what the license entitles people to, versus the other two options 😀

I did read that, but I didn't like how you worded it. Therefore, option 2 or 3 did not apply to what I had mentioned in regards to to MS giving an activation code. Your responses, in my opinion, were slanted towards wrong doing. You mention "Someone got away with" and "Nag a rep", none of which describes the situation I described in my post above. My father didn't nag, beg or scam... Understand the difference?

 

[mechBgon]

My father didn't nag, beg or scam... Understand the difference?

Yes I do. It's possible for people to honestly not have any idea that they're asking for something they're not entitled to by the terms of the OEM-type license. And in the past, Microsoft's activation monkeys have been nice and liberal (although anecdotal evidence indicates they're being trained to be more stringent now).

From the direction that the OP has been leaning, however, I think you see why I'm taking a Machiavelian view here. "Can I get away with using it on two computers, what about this method, how about this way" etc. Eh? 😉 He risks arousing the wrath of Basket Cat :shocked:

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

My father didn't nag, beg or scam... Understand the difference?

Yes I do. It's possible for people to honestly not have any idea that they're asking for something they're not entitled to by the terms of the OEM-type license. And in the past, Microsoft's activation monkeys have been nice and liberal (although anecdotal evidence indicates they're being trained to be more stringent now).

From the direction that the OP has been leaning, however, I think you see why I'm taking a Machiavelian view here. "Can I get away with using it on two computers, what about this method, how about this way" etc. Eh? 😉 He risks arousing the wrath of Basket Cat :shocked:

The Mods already gave a warning in his second post.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

My father didn't nag, beg or scam... Understand the difference?

Yes I do. It's possible for people to honestly not have any idea that they're asking for something they're not entitled to by the terms of the OEM-type license. And in the past, Microsoft's activation monkeys have been nice and liberal (although anecdotal evidence indicates they're being trained to be more stringent now).

From the direction that the OP has been leaning, however, I think you see why I'm taking a Machiavelian view here. "Can I get away with using it on two computers, what about this method, how about this way" etc. Eh? 😉 He risks arousing the wrath of Basket Cat :shocked:

Yeah, I understand that.

Never seen the basketcat... Pretty funny. Going to save that picture.