OS Question...

[Inspector Jihad]

I made a new computer...I do not have an os yet. However, I'm going to trash an old computer of mine...is there anyway I could use the XP on my new computer? Thanks

 

[phisrow]

Directly transferring the install is asking for trouble. Using the install medium and licence key may or may not work. If the old machine had an OEM copy of XP, installing it on a new machine violates the licence, you'll need a new copy. If it is a retail copy, you are fine, so long as it is installed on only one machine at a time.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: phisrow
Directly transferring the install is asking for trouble. Using the install medium and licence key may or may not work. If the old machine had an OEM copy of XP, installing it on a new machine violates the licence, you'll need a new copy. If it is a retail copy, you are fine, so long as it is installed on only one machine at a time.

its oem

ok...so if i had a not so legit copy on my computer and I want to install a legit version...is there any way to do so without erasing everyhting on my computer?

 

[phisrow]

I don't know of any way to do so offhand(though if someone demanded a guess, I'd say "try a repair install"). Frankly, if this is for personal use, I'd just leave the existing install, buy the legit copy, and consider honour satisfied. Home users don't get busted by the BSA, OEM copies should still get updates and all, and if you've bought enough legitimate licences for all your machines, you've done the right thing, I don't see any strong reason to have to do a complete reinstall.

If others have a way to do so, of course, it would be better to be in formal, as well as commonsense, compliance with the licence.

 

[jeffk55]

I'd try the install and register first. Worst thing that could happen is MS says NO but they seem to be unlikely to do this (common knowledge) though it is there right to do it. If you have to "dial home" to MS directly you may have 2 options 1) the'll give you a new key or 2) you MAY (unconfirmed) be able to buy a new liscense, If you are just going to "swap" the HD into the new box do NOT attempt to boot it to "see what happens" because you will be disappointed. Just set BIOS to boot from CD and use the XP disc (I assume it's not a "restore" disc but a XP official disc) and do a repair install (the option after first the blue screen not the repair console one in the first blue screen, please read up on the proceedure, there's tons of references out there). Do a search on upgrading your motherboard, there are many good "tricks" out there, like deleting all HD drivers, video drivers ect from Device Manager and shutting down the box but not rebooting till all hardware is in.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

 

[tiap]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad

Originally posted by: phisrow
Directly transferring the install is asking for trouble. Using the install medium and licence key may or may not work. If the old machine had an OEM copy of XP, installing it on a new machine violates the licence, you'll need a new copy. If it is a retail copy, you are fine, so long as it is installed on only one machine at a time.

its oem

ok...so if i had a not so legit copy on my computer and I want to install a legit version...is there any way to do so without erasing everyhting on my computer?

If your existing copy is not legit and you have a legit win xp oem cd (such as one bought with hardware), it will install over the illegit copy and give you 30 days for activation.
I can't remember step by step but I do remember you have to go further into the instalation and ignore some warnings.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: phisrow
Directly transferring the install is asking for trouble. Using the install medium and licence key may or may not work. If the old machine had an OEM copy of XP, installing it on a new machine violates the licence, you'll need a new copy. If it is a retail copy, you are fine, so long as it is installed on only one machine at a time.

Sure it violates it, just like installing the OS on multiple machines like most people do/did, but does that mean it really matters? No, not really, at least he PAID for it, screw MS, just install it and forget about this "holier than thou" crap, I doubt you're going to get in trouble for something like this.

 

[Nothinman]

Sure it violates it, just like installing the OS on multiple machines like most people do/did, but does that mean it really matters? No, not really, at least he PAID for it, screw MS, just install it and forget about this "holier than thou" crap, I doubt you're going to get in trouble for something like this.

Right. And gas is really expensive right now, so a few fill up and drive aways won't hurt anything in the long run, right?

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: goku

Originally posted by: phisrow
Directly transferring the install is asking for trouble. Using the install medium and licence key may or may not work. If the old machine had an OEM copy of XP, installing it on a new machine violates the licence, you'll need a new copy. If it is a retail copy, you are fine, so long as it is installed on only one machine at a time.

Sure it violates it, just like installing the OS on multiple machines like most people do/did, but does that mean it really matters? No, not really, at least he PAID for it, screw MS, just install it and forget about this "holier than thou" crap, I doubt you're going to get in trouble for something like this.

Why bother paying at all if you aren't going to pay for what you want/need? Just buy a retail license, quite being cheap and buying OEM and using it like it's retail.

Do you leave $.50 on the counter when you buy $1.00 worth of food? I mean you paid some...