OS Question

[steeLh]

Ok, well I currently have windows xp, and Im going to be building a computer.

My question being, can I uninstall windows xp from my current computer and install it onto my new computer?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Is your current computer a prebuilt using an OEM copy of Windows XP?

 

[networkman]

If you have a retail version of WinXP, yes, you can remove it from the old system and re-install it to the new one.

If you have an OEM version, ie. it came with the old PC when purchased, then no, you cannot as the license is tied to the hardware of the old system.

 

[steeLh]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Is your current computer a prebuilt using an OEM copy of Windows XP?

Well I ordered my computer online prebuilt with windows xp installed on it. They sent the CD with the computer.

How would I know if its a OEM copy.

 

[steeLh]

I put the CD in just to see what would happen, and it still gives me the option to "Install Windows Xp". So Im ok right?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: steeLh
I put the CD in just to see what would happen, and it still gives me the option to "Install Windows Xp". So Im ok right?

Please ignore the above posts. It doesn't matter whether your copy is OEM or retail. Either way you will be able to re-install on any machine, provided you have a genuine Microsoft installation CD-ROM.

However...

If your CD-ROM is not Microsoft, but, say, HP or Dell, then you probably won't be able to install it on another PC. The disc has to be an original Windows XP installer pressed by Microsoft. It sounds like you have a Microsoft disc, though, so you should be okay.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Originally posted by: steeLh
I put the CD in just to see what would happen, and it still gives me the option to "Install Windows Xp". So Im ok right?

Please ignore the above posts. It doesn't matter whether your copy is OEM or retail. Either way you will be able to re-install on any machine, provided you have a genuine Microsoft installation CD-ROM.

However...

If your CD-ROM is not Microsoft, but, say, HP or Dell, then you probably won't be able to install it on another PC. The disc has to be an original Windows XP installer pressed by Microsoft. It sounds like you have a Microsoft disc, though, so you should be okay.

If his copy is an OEM copy, it can technically be installed. However, doing so breaks the license agreement I believe.

 

[Nothinman]

I put the CD in just to see what would happen, and it still gives me the option to "Install Windows Xp". So Im ok right?

No, you have to make sure your license isn't tied to the hardware (i.e. an OEM license). A lot of the time the disc will work anywhere even if it's not really legal to install.

 

[steeLh]

Well Im pretty sure my windows xp CD is a OEM version, unfortunately for me.

So is it ok to take the HDD out of my current computer(which has win xp installed on it) and put it in my new computer?

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: steeLh
Well Im pretty sure my windows xp CD is a OEM version, unfortunately for me.

So is it ok to take the HDD out of my current computer(which has win xp installed on it) and put it in my new computer?

No. That'll cause you many technical problems.

 

[jeffk55]

Originally posted by: steeLh
Well Im pretty sure my windows xp CD is a OEM version, unfortunately for me.

So is it ok to take the HDD out of my current computer(which has win xp installed on it) and put it in my new computer?

One more time.. per MS the OEM OS is tied to the MB... and MB only. MS is a bit flexible here but by letter of the law if you have a different MB you buy a new OS.. I'll find the MS responses to this topic later. In practice MS turns a blind eye to the OEM criteria but the "gotcha" is there in writing.EULA STUFF
People hear what they want to hear.

 

[steeLh]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

So I need to buy a retail version of windows xp home edition. Is there still a $90-100 version because thats how much it cost when I bought my computer online.

This works right?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194

 

[Nothinman]

So is it ok to take the HDD out of my current computer(which has win xp installed on it) and put it in my new computer?

That would only work if the OEM license were tied soely to the hard drive, which I doubt is the case. Generally it's tied to the entire computer, unless you use one of the sites that allows you to exploit a loophole in the OEM licensing and you buy it with 1 piece of hardware, technically even something as small as an IDE cable will work.

 

[jeffk55]

Originally posted by: steeLh
Ok, thanks for clearing that up.

So I need to buy a retail version of windows xp home edition. Is there still a $90-100 version because thats how much it cost when I bought my computer online.

This works right?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194

Yes that is perfect. EXCEPT I'm not sure of a lateral upgrade XP to XP. Not sure that would work. You do know that as an upgrade you have to have a previous liscensed version of Windows 98 or ME ((or NT or 2000, not sure of these 2)). Don't think you can "upgrade" 95 The OEM version can be sold to you w a paper clip ( seen it )if they want to. The "technicality" to the EULA is the copy must be sold w/ hardware (loosly defined) but it does not actually take effect until installed. Thereafter it is supposidly permanently "attached" to the motherboard. It's the "installed" part thats the catch. Around here they sell fireworks but it is illegal to "shoot them off" Go figure ]
If you have a HD and a XP CD just build your system around it. You really should be able to re-activate XP. As I said theory is different than reality. What bothers me is currently all these people w/ OEM liscenses who are transferring it to one machine or another (technically violating the EULA) may one day wake up and find 1)MS has pulled the plug on them (perfectly within there rights) or 2) The next "flavor" of the OS will be bought as a OEM version and will "die" on there first MB upgrade (EULA violation) and will be SCREAMING that "this never happened before" yadda yadda yadda............. MS sc%^$ed me .............. I can see it now
Even the retail EULA has some annoying "gotchas" Only 5 computers to a network if you "share" anything...........
RETAIL EULA


I kind of sorry I started posting here. I just went and did a quick check of the pricing on full retail versions. Still close to $200. Thought by now it would be down to $125-$140
and really should be for MS not to be encouraging "EULA BUSTERS"
Just rebuild using your CD and see what happens...... You should be OK from "experience". MS is still pretty liberal about this AFAICT. And MAYBE you may just be able to "renew" the liscense through MS at a discount if need be. Maybe someone else could verify this?????

Bottom line. REBUILD, see what happens........
MORE EULA AND UPGRADE PROCEEDURES

 

[jeffk55]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

So is it ok to take the HDD out of my current computer(which has win xp installed on it) and put it in my new computer?

That would only work if the OEM license were tied soely to the hard drive, which I doubt is the case. Generally it's tied to the entire computer, unless you use one of the sites that allows you to exploit a loophole in the OEM licensing and you buy it with 1 piece of hardware, technically even something as small as an IDE cable will work.

NO it's only tied to the Motherboard................

 

[Nothinman]

NO it's only tied to the Motherboard................

Your period key's sticking a bit, might want to have a look at that.

Anyway, if it's only tied to the motherboard how can sites like NewEgg let you buy an OEM license with any piece of hardware?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

NO it's only tied to the Motherboard................

Your period key's sticking a bit, might want to have a look at that.

Anyway, if it's only tied to the motherboard how can sites like NewEgg let you buy an OEM license with any piece of hardware?

I don't know, but here's my uneducated guess: It can be sold with whatever kind hardware they want (as long as it's "necessary for the computer to run"), but the license is "tied" to the motherboard on install.

 

[Slowlearner]

steeLh

If you are building a new computer you can use either a retail version of XP or an OEM version. The OEM version is tied to the hardware, in particular, the mb, and should you later decide to change the mb, you are in terms of the EULA required to purchase a fresh license. The "retail" version can go with a new mb any number of times, provided its used in only one pc. The OEM version retails from 80-100+$.

The newegg product reference you gave is to a upgrade version needed only if you are moving from win98 to XP.

Although the OEM version is supposed to be sold with other hardware, it is not specifically required that all the hardware needs to come from the same vendor who sells you the software.

Take a look at this link : http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/

 

[LeiZaK]

Originally posted by: networkman
If you have a retail version of WinXP, yes, you can remove it from the old system and re-install it to the new one.

If you have an OEM version, ie. it came with the old PC when purchased, then no, you cannot as the license is tied to the hardware of the old system.

Just take a screw out of the case of your old computer and switch it out with a screw in your new one... you should be alright.

 

[bruceb]

The only time you might have trouble reinstalling on a new system if it is an OEM copy
and in it's .ini file it looks to see what brand of pc or bios you have installed, then it
will not work

For instance:

If you buy a Sony DVD Burner & it came with Roxio (fully legit) .. if you try to install
Roxio on another computer without a SONY DVD/CD Drive then it Will Not Install

I don't see why Microsoft would not allow you to reactivate it ... What happens if your
MOBO or some other high reactivation items goes belly up & you Must replace it ?
You can't get the same MOBO (no longer made, let's say) .. you buy a newer brand,
you did originally pay for the OS so you should be ok (would be very greedy of MS to
insist that you buy a new copy in that case) .. and if they ever did that, then I would buy
a full Retail Copy (no boxed version like in Staples as that costs even more) .. Now you
do whatever you want to with it

 

[Nothinman]

The only time you might have trouble reinstalling on a new system if it is an OEM copy
and in it's .ini file it looks to see what brand of pc or bios you have installed, then it
will not work

From a technical standpoint yes, but just because it'll install on the other machine doesn't make it legal to run it there.