Dell OEM XP Pro package question

[nikko]

I currently have XP Pro installed, but Microsoft says it's not a genuine copy. I believe that's because I have it installed on more than one machine. Anyway, as a result, I can't download updates from the MS website. I have an opportunity to get a Dell OEM XP Pro package with CD key and I just want to know if that would fix the problem. I don't have a Dell computer, so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. In all likelihood, I wouldn't even use the CD to install XP, I would just change the product key. Does anyone know if that would make my copy "genuine" in the eyes of MS? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[MrChad]

OEM licenses are only valid when installed on the original computer they came with.

 

[cubby1223]

Haven't you learned yet that the problem is because you're trying to be cheap? That's what got you in trouble in the first place, and that's what's going to get you in trouble again.

I don't care if people use illegit copies or whatnot, but do not do a half-assed attempt to be "almost" legit just to save a few $$.

BTW - when you activate an OEM license like that over the phone, the MS rep asks you to (1) repeat the product key (2) say what make and model of the machine and (3) say if the machine purchased online or at a store.

 

[bruceb]

Dell Windows XP CD will not install on a non-Dell product .. it checks to see if it is a Dell Mobo or BIOS
Not sure which ... you can tell this by examining the CD Structure of a Dell Windows CD with a
real MS Retail or OEM CD .. you will see a folder on the Dell which is not on the MS version ... in that
folder is a .bat file created by Dell .. that is what does the checking to see if it is being installed on
a Dell Product ... now if you can get a copy of Dell Media Center Edition .. from what I have heard
that is not BIOS locked & you do not need to install the ME center part if you do not want it .. It is
basically XP PRO

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Dell Windows XP CD will not install on a non-Dell product .. it checks to see if it is a Dell Mobo or BIOS
Not sure which ... you can tell this by examining the CD Structure of a Dell Windows CD with a
real MS Retail or OEM CD .. you will see a folder on the Dell which is not on the MS version ... in that
folder is a .bat file created by Dell .. that is what does the checking to see if it is being installed on
a Dell Product ... now if you can get a copy of Dell Media Center Edition .. from what I have heard
that is not BIOS locked & you do not need to install the ME center part if you do not want it .. It is
basically XP PRO

What's the point of replacing one invalid license with another? What the OP should do is either purchase a legitimate new OEM copy of Windows XP or (preferably) purchase a new retail copy of XP that can be transferred to new hardware should he decide to upgrade his machine.

 

[bruceb]

I never said he should nor did I condone it ... I simply stated what is different
between a Dell OS CD and a normally bought full Retail or OEM Copy
What he decides to do, is ultimately his own decission

 

[nikko]

Originally posted by: MrChad

What's the point of replacing one invalid license with another? What the OP should do is either purchase a legitimate new OEM copy of Windows XP or (preferably) purchase a new retail copy of XP that can be transferred to new hardware should he decide to upgrade his machine.

I'm not sure what you mean. I thought by buying an OEM copy, it would by definition be "legitimate". Newegg sells the OEM version for $145 or so. Why wouldn't I be able to reinstall it if I do decide to upgrade my machine down the line?

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: nikko

Originally posted by: MrChad

What's the point of replacing one invalid license with another? What the OP should do is either purchase a legitimate new OEM copy of Windows XP or (preferably) purchase a new retail copy of XP that can be transferred to new hardware should he decide to upgrade his machine.

I'm not sure what you mean. I thought by buying an OEM copy, it would by definition be "legitimate". Newegg sells the OEM version for $145 or so. Why wouldn't I be able to reinstall it if I do decide to upgrade my machine down the line?

There are many threads on this topic if you want more information. It boils down to this:

OEM licenses are only valid on the machine they are originally sold with and installed on. If you get a new machine (i.e. a new motherboard), your OEM license is not transferable to the new machine.

You can certainly purchase an OEM copy from Newegg and install it legitimately on your PC. Your original post mentioned that you are acquiring a Dell OEM copy, which is certainly not legitimate because it's tied to the original Dell machine it was sold with. Furthermore, as bruceb mentioned, it will refuse to install on non-Dell hardware (not all OEM CDs have this limitation). Just be aware that if you replace your machine (or make a motherboard upgrade), your OEM license from Newegg is no longer valid. It may install and even activate, but the license is not valid.

Retail licenses are tied to the person who purchased them. You can transfer them and resell them as many times as you like, as long as they are installed on a single machine at any given time. They're more expensive than OEM licenses, but far more flexible.

I hope this clears thing up.

 

[mechBgon]

edit: yeah, what he said ^

Newegg's OEM version is not built for a Dell, a Gateway, an HP or any other particular brand. You can install it on one computer, and then it's validly licensed as long as it stays on that computer. Microsoft says the motherboard is the tiebreaker item, if you replace the motherboard then it's time to relicense in order to stay legit, with OEM versions of Windows.

If you get a retail Windows license, you will not have any pizza money left over for months, but it can be used on any single computer of your choice. Different motherboard, different anything, it doesn't matter with the retail version.

 

[bruceb]

Technically, if you build your own pc, OEM should be fine ... as to the motherboard issue,
if you tell MS you are replacing a defective Mobo .. usually no problems ... however,
lets say you upgrade the mobo every year or so ... you may or may not run into a problem
activating it ... technically it stays with the original mobo or computer ... As far as I know,
MS activation database resets something like every 90 days or so .. so as long as you
don't keep reactivating in less time, you should be ok ... also oem is not best if you are
constantly changing the configuration around .. cpu, drives, etc ... that could trigger
reactivation

 

[John]

Originally posted by: bruceb
Technically, if you build your own pc, OEM should be fine ... as to the motherboard issue,
if you tell MS you are replacing a defective Mobo .. usually no problems ... however,
lets say you upgrade the mobo every year or so ... you may or may not run into a problem
activating it ... technically it stays with the original mobo or computer ... As far as I know,
MS activation database resets something like every 90 days or so .. so as long as you
don't keep reactivating in less time, you should be ok ... also oem is not best if you are
constantly changing the configuration around .. cpu, drives, etc ... that could trigger
reactivation

Please keep in mind that if you replace a non-defective mobo and phone MS for the activation code, or activate it online, you are no longer abiding by the ELUA and pirating the OS.

 

[orion23]

Dell CD's can be used to install windows on NON DELL machines.
The difference is that when used on a Dell, windows will already be activated and a key will not even be needed.
If the CD is used on a non Dell, then the installation will prompt for a key and later for activation.

 

[Oxides]

A lot of misinformation here...

OEM versions of windows used to be tied to a piece of hardware. NOT NECESSARILY A MOTHERBOARD. There is NOTHING in the EULA that stated that piece of hardware was the motherboard. I bought one from newegg like 6 months ago and the piece of hardware it was buntled with was a power splitter cable (the cable was automatically added to the order for zero price). Furthermore, when i have upgraded my machines (more than one), there have been NO issues with massive hardware changes. In only one of about half a dozen upgrades, I had to call microsoft. At that time i specifically told them i had upgraded the motherboard and I was given the code to type in with no complaints.

When i contacted microsoft a few months ago, to verify the legality of the Newegg OEM power cable thing, I got an interesting response. They said I was not violating the EULA, and also refered me to a web page on one of the subscription MS services (I didnt have a sub so couldnt look at it). The message implied that OEM licenses were no longer being tied to any hardware.

Any license/eula on OEM cd's that is not from Microsoft means nothing. MS is the owner of the product, maintainer of the product, and final arbiter of validity.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Oxides
A lot of misinformation here...

OEM versions of windows used to be tied to a piece of hardware. NOT NECESSARILY A MOTHERBOARD. There is NOTHING in the EULA that stated that piece of hardware was the motherboard. I bought one from newegg like 6 months ago and the piece of hardware it was buntled with was a power splitter cable (the cable was automatically added to the order for zero price). Furthermore, when i have upgraded my machines (more than one), there have been NO issues with massive hardware changes. In only one half a dozen upgrades or so have i had to call microsoft. At that time i specifically told them i had upgraded the motherboard and I was given the code to type in with no complaints.

When i contacted microsoft a few months ago, to verify the legality of the Newegg OEM power cable thing, I got an interesting response. They said I was not violating the EULA, and also refered me to a web page on one of the subscription MS services (I didnt have a sub so couldnt look at it). The message implied that OEM licenses were no longer being tied to any hardware.

Any license/eula on OEM cd's that is not from Microsoft means nothing. MS is the owner of the product, maintainer of the product, and final arbiter of validity.

*sigh*

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/YourPC_do.mspx

Don't transfer OEM software from one computer system to another.
OEM software licenses cannot be transferred from one computer system to another, even if the computer system on which it was originally installed is no longer in use.

That's pretty clear, and straight from the horse's mouth. Others have verified that a new motherboard implies a "new machine."

Also, the language of the OEM license has changed recently, preventing the sort of loophole you describe.

EDIT: I will say that I have heard from others that Microsoft's activation hotline operators will give you a new activation code even if you upgrade the motherboard and use the same OEM license. That doesn't validate the practice from a licensing perspective; it just means that Microsoft is letting that particular offense slide (probably to avoid a PR nightmare with their activation system).

 

[Oxides]

Ok, as i said the link the MS rep gave me wasn't readable without a sub to ms devnet or somethign like that. I guess the rep was referring to no longer requiring hardware to be bundled with the OEM disk (Newegg seems to nolonger do that).

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx this is the page that one of my OEM discs' eula refers too. I am not seeing any EULA restrictions reguarding license transfers. I also note the page you linked, is not a EULA, it is a general information page, therefore it cannot be binding. Perhaps their phone operators dont enforce that no-transfer issue because it is not enforeceable, as it doesnt seem to be part of any EULA, atleast the ones applicable to my discs.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Oxides
Ok, as i said the link the MS rep gave me wasn't readable without a sub to ms devnet or somethign like that. I guess the rep was referring to no longer requiring hardware to be bundled with the OEM disk (Newegg seems to nolonger do that).

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx this is the page that one of my OEM discs' eula refers too. I am not seeing any EULA restrictions reguarding license transfers. I also note the page you linked, is not a EULA, it is a general information page, therefore it cannot be binding. Perhaps their phone operators dont enforce that no-transfer issue because it is not enforeceable, as it doesnt seem to be part of any EULA, atleast the ones applicable to my discs.

That's not an XP EULA. Here's the text from the EULA on my OEM XP CD:

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 COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER. If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies, if you transfer the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE.

 

[orion23]

That new XP OEM rule or law probably applies only to OEM copies sold through big companies like Dell, hp, sony......

If one builds computers on a regular basis and chooses to buy an OEM copy of XP, there shouldn't be any rules or laws that would apply to future upgrades or complete new builds by the owner.

 

[John]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552862"><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552862">https://oem.microsoft.com/script/contentpage.aspx?PageID=552862</a></a>

Generally, you may upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on your customer's computer and the end user may maintain the license for the original Microsoft® OEM operating system software, with the exception of an upgrade or replacement of the motherboard.

An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a "new personal computer" to which Microsoft® OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced, for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer?s replacement/equivalent, as defined by that manufacturer?s warranty.

The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the end-user license agreement (EULA) and the support of the software covered by that EULA. The EULA is a set of usage rights granted to the end-user by the PC manufacturer and relates only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The System Builder is required to support the software on that individual PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PC with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define that original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created.

[*]XP OEM Clarification

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm

 

[owensdj]

I think it's outragous that Microsoft would consider a motherboard change to create a "new PC." Microsoft is using this to extort more money from the end users. You might say we should just buy the Retail version, but its price is a complete ripoff. You shouldn't have to pay $50 more just so you can exercise your right to upgrade your own computer.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: owensdj
I think it's outragous that Microsoft would consider a motherboard change to create a "new PC." Microsoft is using this to extort more money from the end users. You might say we should just buy the Retail version, but its price is a complete ripoff. You shouldn't have to pay $50 more just so you can exercise your right to upgrade your own computer.

If you were going to build software and then support it for ten years, would you consider $250 a "ripoff?" That's a long time. It works out to $2 a month.

All I ask, is for closer pricing equality between us small guys and the big guys. I don't want to pay 10 times what Mr. Dell pays, make him pull his weight.