Upgrade is old CD license checked?

[legacyNW]

OK I have an emachines PC that came with XP, but installing a new mobo. Wont run with new mobo and bios.

So I am getting a XP home 'upgrade', which I am paying MS for, so it goes.

Question - I have a win95 disk I have used already to upgrade an older 'whitebox' machine to XP.

If I use the 95 disk again when installing onthe emachines PC, will MS detect that I've 'upgraded' that copy of the OS already?

Or can I use my emachines OEM XP recovery disk to qualify my 'upgrade' install?

 

[mechBgon]

That won't be kosher, because once you use that Win95 license as a basis for upgrading to XP, that license is tied up there. It can't be used again as a basis for another upgrade at the same time, it would be double-dipping. And AnandTech Forums isn't a good place to ask "can I get away with double-dipping" :evil:

Instead, how about return the XP Home Upgrade to where you bought it, get a refund, and buy an OEM WinXP Home full version for $85 at Newegg? No need for a previous version, and you can get a Vista Home Premium upgrade coupon out of the deal too

 

[legacyNW]

thanks..I'm not double dipping, I already have a license for XP, on the emachines original purchase. I'm just trying to figure the best way to upgrade it.

I don't want to go OEM as it is a pain if you change HW again later.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: legacyNW
thanks..I'm not double dipping, I already have a license for XP, on the emachines original purchase.

If it's an OEM WinXP license on the eMachines original purchase, the license is only good for the original machine. It goes *POOF* when you rebuild with a new motherboard, unless the new board is a manufacturer replacement for a faulty old board I guess you already know about that.

Be aware that XP Home Edition is only supported by Microsoft for two more years anyway, so if you're thinking long-haul, it might be better to get Vista or else XP Professional (supported 5 years beyond XP Home).

 

[legacyNW]

Hm, I did not know that RE OEM license - that a Mobo replacement invalidated it. Seems sensible to me that the license should be a site license - 1 machine, 1 user, so what if I upgrade HW?

I know XP is only good for a couple years, but I'm not installing v 1.0 of any Msoft OS...I'll wait for Vista SP1. meanwhile back to the drawing board for this upgrade...

 

[krcat1]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Originally posted by: legacyNW
thanks..I'm not double dipping, I already have a license for XP, on the emachines original purchase.

If it's an OEM WinXP license on the eMachines original purchase, the license is only good for the original machine. It goes *POOF* when you rebuild with a new motherboard, unless the new board is a manufacturer replacement for a faulty old board I guess you already know about that.

Be aware that XP Home Edition is only supported by Microsoft for two more years anyway, so if you're thinking long-haul, it might be better to get Vista or else XP Professional (supported 5 years beyond XP Home).

Lets say the MB is flaky, and you replace the MB with one of the exact same type as the original, but you do the install yourself, because you do not trust the store from which you purchased the computer, or the warranty is not truly being honored , or the warranty is out?

 

[Bill Kunert]

[
Be aware that XP Home Edition is only supported by Microsoft for two more years anyway, so if you're thinking long-haul, it might be better to get Vista or else XP Professional (supported 5 years beyond XP Home).[/quote]

I'd be willing to bet that XP support will be extended like Win98 was. AARP will pressure Microsoft on behalf of those of us who are on fixed incomes for an extension. I wouldn't bet that MS will have Vista fully sorted out in two years.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
[
Be aware that XP Home Edition is only supported by Microsoft for two more years anyway, so if you're thinking long-haul, it might be better to get Vista or else XP Professional (supported 5 years beyond XP Home).

I'd be willing to bet that XP support will be extended like Win98 was. AARP will pressure Microsoft on behalf of those of us who are on fixed incomes for an extension. I wouldn't bet that MS will have Vista fully sorted out in two years.

[/quote]

support and being able to use are 2 different things!

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
[
Be aware that XP Home Edition is only supported by Microsoft for two more years anyway, so if you're thinking long-haul, it might be better to get Vista or else XP Professional (supported 5 years beyond XP Home).

I'd be willing to bet that XP support will be extended like Win98 was. AARP will pressure Microsoft on behalf of those of us who are on fixed incomes for an extension. I wouldn't bet that MS will have Vista fully sorted out in two years.

[/quote]

I'll bet you're right.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
I'd be willing to bet that XP support will be extended like Win98 was. AARP will pressure Microsoft on behalf of those of us who are on fixed incomes for an extension. I wouldn't bet that MS will have Vista fully sorted out in two years.

There's no way that Microsoft will stop supporting XP Home in two years. XP will still be SOLD for another year (or two).

Microsoft Windows Desktop License Availability

And, of course, SP3 for both XP Home and Pro won't even be released until 2008.

 

[legacyNW]

So, no more great ideas about how to 'upgrade' a XP OEM install with a XP Home Upgrade disk?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
I'd be willing to bet that XP support will be extended like Win98 was. AARP will pressure Microsoft on behalf of those of us who are on fixed incomes for an extension. I wouldn't bet that MS will have Vista fully sorted out in two years.

There's no way that Microsoft will stop supporting XP Home in two years. XP will still be SOLD for another year (or two).

Microsoft Windows Desktop License Availability

And, of course, SP3 for both XP Home and Pro won't even be released until 2008.

The _Support_ Lifecycle page indicates that "Mainstream support will end two years after the next version of this product is released." Whatever the license availability scheme may be, that's what they have to say about support availability. Now, if they're bluffing, then that's fine with me and probably a good thing for the world in general. So I'll be interested to see what really happens in the end

So, no more great ideas about how to 'upgrade' a XP OEM install with a XP Home Upgrade disk?

How about buying a retail-boxed Win98 CD and license/COA for cheap, to be your qualifying upgrade-from product? I bet you could score one on For Sale & Trade with a WTB thread. Any good?

 

[legacyNW]

yup I think that is gonna have to be how it goes. I'll check with the bro-in-law first he has piles of old stuff,. has to be an old Win95 cd in there somewhere....

 

[MrPickins]

IIRC, Windows XP Upgrade requires a Win98 or newer disc.

I doubt the Win95 will work.

 

[legacyNW]

Yup you are right, only ME and '98.

 

[tcsenter]

If the motherboard is replaced due to hardware failure then you can carry your OEM license over to the new hardware, just requires re-activation via phone support. Tell them when asked the reason for re-activating that your motherboard died. You'll have no problems. I've done it a dozen++ times. This will give you three re-activations before having to call activation support again.

Only an 'upgraded' motherboard that was replaced to bring new features or support creates a 'new' machine, not a replacement for failure.

 

[StevenM]

Just give Microsoft a call and tell them that you replaced the board and need new activation keys. i did just that, replaced a motherboard from my nieces dell, it failed activation and gave me a phone number to call. The person on the other end was very pleasant and gave me all new keys. You probably wont even need that upgrade you bought.