Question about Windows XP License

[pradeep1]

I purchased a crappy Toshiba laptop in 10/2001 and it had Windows XP Pro. preinstalled. I paid for that OS and I have a license key sticker on the bottom of my laptop. Toshiba was smart, they only gave me disks with the OS on a Toshiba "clean wipe" disk, which basically means that if you hose your laptop, you can put these disks in and it will restore you to factory original setting with a clean wipe and clean OS install. However, these stupid disks don't work on any machine other than their Toshiba laptops.

Now since I have a license for Windows XP Pro that I paid for, what can I do? Can I call Microsoft and ask them to send me some disks? or is their a source to buy the install disks legally for a nominal cost and then activate the OS on a new machine. The Toshiba laptop was wiped of Windows XP a long time ago and now is sitting around running Win2K, so no licensing issues with multiple uses or anything.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Pradeep

 

[pradeep1]

Oops...wrong forum. Mods, please move. Thank you.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

More than likely the copy you got was an OEM copy and it's bound to that laptop for life.

That's the lawyer answer anyway.

I'd just call MS and have them send you another CD.

 

[pradeep1]

Do you have a phone number for Microsoft to order replacement disks? I could not find it anywhere?

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Google search method "Microsoft Phone CD replacement"

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/faq.asp

CDs

Q. How do I replace a broken or lost CD-ROM?

A.

If your CD-ROM is clearly defective (cracked, badly warped, or contains a deep scratch) or is missing, you can exchange it for a replacement CD-ROM.
In the United States, please call Microsoft Press at 800-MSPRESS ([800] 677-7377).
Outside of the United States, please send an e-mail message to MSPinfo@microsoft.com. Include the title and ISBN, and specify what is wrong with the CD.

Important Replacing the CD-ROM will not solve any software related issues. Therefore, replacement should be considered only if the Setup program fails and if there are no other known problems posted on the Microsoft Learning Support site.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide replacement disk contents via the Web due to legal considerations. However, individual file patches are posted on the Internet when appropriate. Please refer to the Microsoft Press Support Web site for further information.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
More than likely the copy you got was an OEM copy and it's bound to that laptop for life.

That's the lawyer answer anyway.

I'd just call MS and have them send you another CD.

See, that's the thing. You didn't pay for a copy of XP Pro. You paid for a laptop that included a Toshiba'ized version of XP Pro, for which they probably pay MS $10 per machine or something. Even if you got another copy of XP on CD, it probably wouldn't work with the license key you have. That license key probably only works with the Toshiba restore disk. It was the same way with my Compaq that I bought in 1998.

 

[JW310]

Originally posted by: DT4K

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
More than likely the copy you got was an OEM copy and it's bound to that laptop for life.

That's the lawyer answer anyway.

I'd just call MS and have them send you another CD.

See, that's the thing. You didn't pay for a copy of XP Pro. You paid for a laptop that included a Toshiba'ized version of XP Pro, for which they probably pay MS $10 per machine or something. Even if you got another copy of XP on CD, it probably wouldn't work with the license key you have. That license key probably only works with the Toshiba restore disk. It was the same way with my Compaq that I bought in 1998.

Technically speaking, an OEM license key with an OEM installation CD will install on any system. However, it probably won't be able to be activated unless it's installed on the original system.

Speaking from a licensing point of view, you're only allowed to install XP using the key from the laptop, on the laptop itself. Since it's an OEM copy, the license is tied to the system it was originally installed on.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: JW310

Originally posted by: DT4K

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
More than likely the copy you got was an OEM copy and it's bound to that laptop for life.

That's the lawyer answer anyway.

I'd just call MS and have them send you another CD.

See, that's the thing. You didn't pay for a copy of XP Pro. You paid for a laptop that included a Toshiba'ized version of XP Pro, for which they probably pay MS $10 per machine or something. Even if you got another copy of XP on CD, it probably wouldn't work with the license key you have. That license key probably only works with the Toshiba restore disk. It was the same way with my Compaq that I bought in 1998.

Technically speaking, an OEM license key with an OEM installation CD will install on any system. However, it probably won't be able to be activated unless it's installed on the original system.

Speaking from a licensing point of view, you're only allowed to install XP using the key from the laptop, on the laptop itself. Since it's an OEM copy, the license is tied to the system it was originally installed on.

I wasn't sure if there were more than two types of license keys. I know there are retail and OEM keys, but I didn't know if there were keys that would only work with the restore disk version.