I have an old home built computer running xp. Disk and manual are lost.

[dp88]

I have an old computer that I built and abandoned quite a while ago. The disk is lost and so is the case that had the license number. I'm pretty sure I can retrieve the license number from my xp installation using a program I found. The question is, is there any way to get that license transfered from that old computer, to the new one, without a disk? I really don't want to repurchase a full windows license when I can just get a $30 student upgrade for $200 less. Let me know if you have any ideas.

 

[mechBgon]

If your goal is to have what Microsoft would regard as a valid license, then as per your OEM Windows EULA, you're going to need the COA sticker for your OEM Windows XP. Since you don't have it, you need to either adjust your goal or get a proper full-version Win7 license. Your call.

Also, OEM licenses aren't intended to transfer to new PCs in the first place. *cue the usual stampede of objectors* Schools may have a discount arrangement that's just as good as the $30 upgrade deal, so maybe ask your school what they've got to offer.

 

[dp88]

What is a coa sticker? Why do I need one? What happens if I don't have one?

My original xp is not an oem version. It is a full install standalone version of windows xp professional. Does that make a difference?

 

[jdjbuffalo]

Originally posted by: dp88
What is a coa sticker? Why do I need one? What happens if I don't have one?

My original xp is not an oem version. It is a full install standalone version of windows xp professional. Does that make a difference?

It makes a difference in that you can move it from computer to computer. However, since you don't have the license to prove it, it would be legally difficult to hold up in court (not that this is likely to ever happen).

There are programs to get your Windows XP number off your old computer. Do a Google search and be careful of ones with malware.

 

[dp88]

well I'll have to get one of those. How will I pass the upgrade verification without an original disk?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: dp88
well I'll have to get one of those. How will I pass the upgrade verification without an original disk?

Nobody outside of Microsoft seems to know what the upgrade verification will consist of, so that's a tough question to answer right now.

 

[dp88]

Well, I'm in the process of getting a backup of an uncracked windows xp professional disk. Hopefully between the recovered key, and the backed up disk I will be able to upgrade. I shouldn't have any problem going back to xp with the disk and the key. Then, with any luck, I will be able to upgrade just using the legitimate install.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: dp88
What is a coa sticker? Why do I need one? What happens if I don't have one?

My original xp is not an oem version. It is a full install standalone version of windows xp professional. Does that make a difference?

Oh, gotcha. By "case," you meant the folder that WinXP came in, not the computer's case with the COA stuck to it. You can order a replacement disc from Microsoft if you want an authentic one, it would be part number X10-70274 (from my retail WinXP Pro SP2 folder).

Nobody outside of Microsoft seems to know what the upgrade verification will consist of, so that's a tough question to answer right now.

I'm going to do a little fact-finding and see what happens when I try it.

 

[Binky]

Why not just try to run the Win7 DVD with the old XP drive installed. It may just see the valid XP install and allow you to install Win7 on another drive. I'm really not sure about this, but this is the first thing I'd try!

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Nobody outside of Microsoft seems to know what the upgrade verification will consist of, so that's a tough question to answer right now.

I'm going to do a little fact-finding and see what happens when I try it.

The problem has been that nobody (outside of Microsoft) has had a DVD with the "Upgrade-Only" image, and they aren't talking. If you had a chance to follow the "W7 Upgrade" threads from a month or two ago, there's a million theories on how the "previous version" license verification will work, but nobody's been able to test it, including some Microsoft technical folks. I've talked to a couple of MVPs and none know the answer either. Or aren't able to talk about it.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Nobody outside of Microsoft seems to know what the upgrade verification will consist of, so that's a tough question to answer right now.

I'm going to do a little fact-finding and see what happens when I try it.

The problem has been that nobody (outside of Microsoft) has had a DVD with the "Upgrade-Only" image, and they aren't talking. If you had a chance to follow the "W7 Upgrade" threads from a month or two ago, there's a million theories on how the "previous version" license verification will work, but nobody's been able to test it, including some Microsoft technical folks. I've talked to a couple of MVPs and none know the answer either. Or aren't able to talk about it.

I see. Yeah, I have the full-version DVD, not an Upgrade-only one. My thought was that maybe, in Upgrade mode, Win7 just checks to confirm that WinXP is activated before it proceeds? And that would be easy to test: just slap up an unactivated WinXP installation and try a Win7 upgrade. Except as you say, I have a full-version disc, so it might not even care.

Oh well, I guess we'll find out eventually

 

[BadRobot]

i read the terms for one win 7 pre-purchase program, it clearly stated that you could install win 7 onto a harddrive that had no OS on it. I have a feeling they are wrong ...

OR

you will have to key in your xp key AND your win 7 key to activate your install of win 7

But thats pure speculation. If I had to bet I would say you will just need your xp key and your win7 key to get the upgrade installed regardless of whats on your actual hard disk.

So this is what i would do.
1. Use your program to retrieve your key from your current install.
2. wait till october 22nd to see what the upgrade process is.
3. if my theory is confirmed, purchase upgrade for 30 bucks and use your xp key and win7 upgrade key to install win7 on whichever computer you choose.
4. ?????
5. Profit

EDIT: the reason why i think they will go the dual key activation is because they are suckers for market domination.

They would rather people pirate a xp key and pay for a win 7 upgrade key instead of having people pirate win 7 all together OR WORSE (in their eyes) not use win 7 at all.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

Originally posted by: dp88
well I'll have to get one of those. How will I pass the upgrade verification without an original disk?

I suspect that, if you take the hard drive from the old PC and install it in the new PC as a second hard drive, that the Win 7 upgrade process will find it and let you proceed.

That is just a guess, but it is fairly easy to do.

 

[dp88]

I would try just connecting the old hard drive to the new computer, but the old hard drive is IDE. I don't have any IDE ports on my current motherboard. I have the burned windows xp cd. And I have my cd recovered using a program I downloaded. Hopefully between the two, I will have enough.