if an old computer has a license sticker (key) on it, does that mean it has the license?

[JDub02]

The situation I'm in is that I bought an upgrade copy of Win7 intending on using it for my laptop which came with Vista. Last weekend, I ended up making a deal with my father-in-law to sell him my laptop and I'm putting together a new PC. So now my Win7 license is no good since I'm not upgrading from anything.

Work is unloading some old PC's for next to nothing. They have XP pro license stickers on them. If I buy one of these PC's, am I also getting that windows license?

Now what if I just want the license and plan on trashing the computer so I can use the upgrade version of Win7 rather than the full one on a new PC?


Anyone know if that's possible and if it's all legit?

 

[Kenmitch]

Guess it would kinda depend if it was an OEM or Retail license on the old computer if it would be legit or not.

Yes you would get the license if you bought the system.

 

[JDub02]

I would guess it would be an OEM license. They have old Dell and HP's.

Does an OEM license die with the PC? I'm not familiar with the fine print.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: JDub02
Work is unloading some old PC's for next to nothing. They have XP pro license stickers on them. If I buy one of these PC's, am I also getting that windows license?

You should be getting a PC with a license for OEM XP. You can use that license on THAT machine, but you aren't supposed to move the XP license to a different PC.

Microsoft's licensing policies say that the OEM license stays with the PC.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: JDub02
Work is unloading some old PC's for next to nothing. They have XP pro license stickers on them. If I buy one of these PC's, am I also getting that windows license?

You should be getting a PC with a license for OEM XP. You can use that license on THAT machine, but you aren't supposed to move the XP license to a different PC.

Microsoft's licensing policies say that the OEM license stays with the PC.

OK, that's what I wasn't clear about.

What constitutes a PC?

If I buy an OEM license from Newegg, am I allowed to upgrade the PC? How much upgrading can be done before it falls into the "new computer' category?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: JDub02
What constitutes a PC?

Microsoft says it's the motherboard.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: JDub02
What constitutes a PC?

Microsoft says it's the motherboard.

well, that looks like it settles things. Win7 OEM looks like it will fit the bill. i plan on keeping the MB at least until the next version of Windows is released.

i wonder what MS does if the MB craps out.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: JDub02
i wonder what MS does if the MB craps out.

Microsoft's policy is that a failed motherboard can be replaced with the identical motherboard or with an equivalent motherboard replacement as dictated by the System Builder.

 

[ComputerDude67]

Try this (cut and pasted from different reply): *This works on Vista for sure*

What I have found with Vista is if you have an upgrade version (key determines if it is a upgrade or new install - all media is same other than 32bit vs 64bit) and want to do a clean install is.

1) Install Vista\Win7 and do not activate (you will have 30 days to activate).
2) Install Vista\Win7 a second time and this time use the upgrade key to activate, because it detects a installed OS the upgrade will work (easy workaround - have not tested with Win7).

Also you can not upgrade 32bit OS to 64bit OS. You can upgrade 64bit OS to 64bit OS.