Question about Windows XP Professional OEM

[TekViper]

Will a non branded OEM copy of windows XP pro validate on a non oem (hp, dell, etc) computer? I have a friend that thinks the OEM version will only validate if it installed on a computer with an OEM bios from such companies as dell and HP. Reason I ask is because I purchased an OEM version on ebay. It looks 100% authentic but after it is installed and I go to WindowsUpdate, it fails to validate. The reason it lists for failing validation is that the key is invalid, key was never issued by Microsoft, and key has been found on multiple computers. I have already contacted Ebay and Microsoft since the seller violated the agreement by not including a piece of qualifying hardware in order to sell an OEM copy (auction said it would include hardware) and because it fails to validate. My question now is did I just run across an illegal copy of the software or will all OEM copies fail to validate if not installed on a big OEM company computer? I thought only the branded OEM XP copies would only validate on a Dell or HP bios. Also is it true that if you turn in someone that is selling illegal copies of the software, Microsoft will give you a legal copy? Could not find any mention of this on the site but I have heard it more then once.

 

[PeteRoy]

If key is invalid it's not valid even on a dell, you bought illegal copy.

 

[spherrod]

sounds like an illegal copy - you can report them to Microsoft who will ask for a report and proof of purchase. As it's an ebay purchase I don't know whether they will give you a legit copy though

 

[mparr1708]

Originally posted by: TekViper
Will a non branded OEM copy of windows XP pro validate on a non oem (hp, dell, etc) computer? I have a friend that thinks the OEM version will only validate if it installed on a computer with an OEM bios from such companies as dell and HP. Reason I ask is because I purchased an OEM version on ebay. It looks 100% authentic but after it is installed and I go to WindowsUpdate, it fails to validate. The reason it lists for failing validation is that the key is invalid, key was never issued by Microsoft, and key has been found on multiple computers. I have already contacted Ebay and Microsoft since the seller violated the agreement by not including a piece of qualifying hardware in order to sell an OEM copy (auction said it would include hardware) and because it fails to validate. My question now is did I just run across an illegal copy of the software or will all OEM copies fail to validate if not installed on a big OEM company computer? I thought only the branded OEM XP copies would only validate on a Dell or HP bios. Also is it true that if you turn in someone that is selling illegal copies of the software, Microsoft will give you a legal copy? Could not find any mention of this on the site but I have heard it more then once.

Did your copy ask you to activate? If it did not then it is more then likely a corporate version of the OS. Not exactly a illegal in the way most copies of XP have been hacked. It is illegal in the sense that it has basically been thieved from whatever company originally purchased the site license for that key. Either way the person should be reported. In the mean time you can set your computer to use automatic updates and it will pull down security patches. You just wont be able to run windows update.

Lets just hope you can recover your money or get him caught... 9 out of 10 times you can doing nothing though.

 

[TekViper]

Originally posted by: mparr1708

Did your copy ask you to activate? If it did not then it is more then likely a corporate version of the OS. Not exactly a illegal in the way most copies of XP have been hacked. It is illegal in the sense that it has basically been thieved from whatever company originally purchased the site license for that key. Either way the person should be reported. In the mean time you can set your computer to use automatic updates and it will pull down security patches. You just wont be able to run windows update.

Lets just hope you can recover your money or get him caught... 9 out of 10 times you can doing nothing though.

This copy did not ask me to activate but I though all OEM versions had activation removed and it was only for retail versions?

Also why should it be difficult to get a refund from ebay/paypal? The seller stated that it would ship with a piece of qualifying hardware but he didnt send anything. Also he said the key has never been used and the validation tool says its been found on multiple computers. Shouldn't that be enough to just get a refund?