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Using Windows XP license on another computer. Is this possible?

P

Petros_k

Member
I got a Compaq system many years ago that came with Windows XP installed. I may have a reason to keep using Windows XP, but I'm buying a used system that has Vista, and I don't want it as my operating system. I have the restore discs for the XP OS. Can I install Windows XP on the new system or is the license I paid for only good for the original system (because the key is somehow linked to the motherboard serial number I think)? If the original system breaks down, I can't ever use that copy of Windows XP again?

I don't think anyone can even buy a license or purchase Windows XP anymore. What do I do?
 
OEM version of Windows XP that ships with PC is tied to it. If something breaks, you can fix that part with equivalent... I think MS will accept even swapped mainboard if original one dies.
Retail version of Windows XP can be used on any one PC, can be moved from PC to PC.
You could find used copy of retail edition online (Amazon, ebay, etc.) that is usable on your PC.
 
I'm reading that in some cases if your system dies, and all you can transfer to the new system is something like your hard drive, that constitutes an upgrade. Why should I have to lose my ability to use Windows XP on a single computer if I've paid for the license? I have the restore discs to install it. I'm not sure about the original PC being "tied" to the OS in such a way that if the system dies then so does your license to use one copy of XP on one computer.
 
Petros_k said:
I got a Compaq system many years ago that came with Windows XP installed. I may have a reason to keep using Windows XP, but I'm buying a used system that has Vista, and I don't want it as my operating system. I have the restore discs for the XP OS. Can I install Windows XP on the new system or is the license I paid for only good for the original system (because the key is somehow linked to the motherboard serial number I think)? If the original system breaks down, I can't ever use that copy of Windows XP again?

I don't think anyone can even buy a license or purchase Windows XP anymore. What do I do?
Click to expand...

My understanding is that OEM copies are tied to the motherboard. But I've heard that MS will let you reactivate it on a new PC if you explain the original mobo died.

But why not just use Vista? It got a bad rep early on but its perfectly OK to use post SP1. And unlike XP its not just about to go out of support.

(Though I wonder how much MS even cares at this point about the niceties of the XP licence, the fact that its obsolete might actually increase your chances of getting it activated on a new PC)

Oh yeah - from my own experience I have to say that installing an older O/S so late in the day means you have to spend several days tediously downloading and installing windows updates, half of which go wrong and fail to install for one reason or other!
 
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pmv said:
My understanding is that OEM copies are tied to the motherboard. But I've heard that MS will let you reactivate it on a new PC if you explain the original mobo died.
Click to expand...

Are you sure? You mean, you need to talk to a MS customer rep in order to "reactivate" the license on another system?

pmv said:
But why not just use Vista? It got a bad rep early on but its perfectly OK to use post SP1. And unlike XP its not just about to go out of support.
Click to expand...

Not interested in arguing with you if you prefer Vista, but the consensus for years has been that it's bloatware, and even XP outperforms it in some cases. Please don't argue your point. I don't want to switch to another OS. I know XP and want to keep using it. I paid for the license.

Has anyone ever heard that if you buy an OEM license (i.e., Windows came pre-installed on your system and you have the reinstallation disc) from a vendor like Dell or HP, that you can reinstall the OS as long as it's the same VENDOR's computer?
 
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pmv said:
Oh yeah - from my own experience I have to say that installing an older O/S so late in the day means you have to spend several days tediously downloading and installing windows updates, half of which go wrong and fail to install for one reason or other!
Click to expand...

although pmv what you have said is true it's not always the case. I have had no problems with the last 3 installations of windows xp professional sp3 but did with one installation so good luck Petros_k
 
What is so scary to try, there is No "consensus" about trying.

Install (takes only about 50 min.) if it does not activate call MS may be you be qualified to updated.

If does Not work then look for another solution. It does not matter what we/you say, playing with words is Not necessarily tangible reality.



😎
 
JackMDS said:
What is so scary to try... It does not matter what we/you say, playing with words is Not necessarily tangible reality.😎
Click to expand...

LOL! That's very good!

I'm trying to determine if I buy a used computer from Ebay that does not have an OS installed if I won't need to buy one because I can re-install Windows XP.
 
Possibly you could find one on Ebay with a valid XP licence sticker already on the case, even if the OS isn't currently installed?

I can't believe that would add much at all to the asking price, given that XP is about to become unsafe to use, so there's not going to be much of a demand for it. An awful lot of people are upgrading or dumping their XP machines at this point, I think.
 
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=JzS_VgAxsDL
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Q. Can a PC with an OEM Windows operating system have its motherboard upgraded and keep the same license? What if it was replaced because it was defective?
A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required. If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.
The reason for this licensing rule primarily relates to the End User Software License Terms and the support of the software covered by those terms. The End User Software License Terms are a set of usage rights granted to the end user by the PC manufacturer, and relate only to rights for that software as installed on that particular PC. The system builder is required to support the software on the original PC. Understanding that end users, over time, upgrade their PCs with different components, Microsoft needed to have one base component "left standing" that would still define the original PC. Since the motherboard contains the CPU and is the "heart and soul" of the PC, when the motherboard is replaced (for reasons other than defect) a new PC is essentially created. The original system builder did not manufacture this new PC, and therefore cannot be expected to support it
Click to expand...
 
Thats why I buy retail and build my own systems. Can use the OS as long as I want (though I finally bit the bullet and put Win7 on my gaming system).
 
serpretetsky said:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/licensing_faq.aspx#fbid=JzS_VgAxsDL
Click to expand...

Looks like that settles it. The computer according to Microsoft is the same thing as the motherboard.

There is, however, something called a "Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher," and this person can sell a used PC with a MS operating system with the used PC. He is supposed to put a new seal on the computer with a new code of some kind. See here: http://www.microsoft.com/refurbishedpcs/Buy.aspx This PDF download explains: http://download.microsoft.com/downl...DCEFA7/Refurbished_PC_Buying_Guide_FY14Q2.pdf
 
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postmortemIA said:
OEM version of Windows XP that ships with PC is tied to it. If something breaks, you can fix that part with equivalent... I think MS will accept even swapped mainboard if original one dies.
Retail version of Windows XP can be used on any one PC, can be moved from PC to PC.
You could find used copy of retail edition online (Amazon, ebay, etc.) that is usable on your PC.
Click to expand...

You can install the oem copy of xp onto a completely brand new computer, call up Microsoft during the activation process, speak to a representative, explain the situation in absolute full detail, and they still give you the activation code without any hassle whatsoever.

In other words, yes, an oem license key of XP can be installed on different hardware.

The only thing Microsoft cares about is the key is installed and being used on one and only one machine.
 
I have put an oem copy (not retail) on an HP before, using the code on the side of the case. It told me to call for an activation code, which Microsoft gave me without hesitation.

I would do so rather quickly, before support for XP dies. This process may be affected as well.
 
cubby1223 said:
You can install the oem copy of xp onto a completely brand new computer, call up Microsoft during the activation process, speak to a representative, explain the situation in absolute full detail, and they still give you the activation code without any hassle whatsoever.

In other words, yes, an oem license key of XP can be installed on different hardware.

The only thing Microsoft cares about is the key is installed and being used on one and only one machine.
Click to expand...

This. I have done this multiple times. Usually you never even get to a live person, you just have to tell the automated computer you are using it on only 1 computer. I have transferred copies of XP, Vista, and 7 to completely different PC's simply by calling the Microsoft number that pops up when you try to activate Windows.
 
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