What are the rules on OEM versions of XP?

[RyanW2050]

Enlighten me please.


I've heard you can't upgrade them with new service packs or something?

Also, what happens if my computer blows up and i want to reinstall windows on a new one, I buy a whole new copy?

What does it tie to to know what PC it is?

The mobo?

Wha tif I upgrade the mobo?



etc etc et



Thanks in advance

 

[spherrod]

you can install service packs and updates on OEM versions, an OEM version simply means it is tied to the hardware it is purchased and installed on. Therefore you are breaking the license agreement if you install it on another machine - I think Microsoft consider the motherboard the main component so this needs to remain the same.

 

[Taz480]

Ryan, read thru this.
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx


From this FAQ page.....

Is it possible to transfer a license to another computer?

Consumers should refer to the terms of their license agreement to determine whether or not it is legal to transfer a license to another computer. But in those cases where it is allowed, the product must first be removed from the previous computer. Users may be required to complete the activation on the new computer by placing a call to the Microsoft Activation Center.

As I said before, if I were you, I would keep the Dell recovery disc for the the laptop and when you finally save up enough, go ahead and buy a new OEM version on disc for the other computer. Hope that link helps. 🙂

 

[Taz480]

Also on that page....

Technical Activation Details
What data is Microsoft gathering as part of activation?

The only information required to activate is an installation ID (and, for Office XP and Office XP family products such as Visio 2002, the name of the country in which the product is being installed). The only purpose of the installation ID is to facilitate activation. It is made up of two components: the product ID generated from the product key and a hardware hash generated from the PC's hardware configuration (for Windows XP SP1 and later only, a third component, the product key itself, was added to deter pirates). Microsoft Product Activation uses a hash algorithm to generate the hardware identifier and does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components. For example, let's assume that a hash of the PC's color is used as part of the installation ID. The hash could be the high four bits of the color. That color would always produce the same high four bits, but you could not use those high four bits to determine the color. For users who activate over the Internet, the installation ID is sent electronically. For users who activate by telephone, the installation ID is converted to decimal format (versus digital format) and displayed to them in the product's user interface. The telephone installation ID must be read over the telephone to the customer service representative.

Avtivation on a pre-installed machine is a little different, tho. The manufacturers use a different type of activation process that just ties it to the mobo itself. In normal activation, which is what you and I would have to do, it takes those hash values of 10 different components. So thats why on a pre-built you will prolly never get bugged about reactivating even if you cahnge all your hardware. End user activation is tied to more than just the mobo.

 

[cubby1223]

The rules basically are, you provide support for your own machine, don't think about ever calling Microsoft for any aid.

As for upgrades & such, these are the two things:
1) it must only be installed on one computer at any time
2) Microsoft has never denied anyone (that I'm aware of) re-activation as long as they are following rule (1).

 

[Taz480]

Ya and if you ever do have to call them cuz online activation won't work, 99% of the time it's just a voice recognition automated system to activate it. 😛

 

[John]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
The rules basically are, you provide support for your own machine, don't think about ever calling Microsoft for any aid.

As for upgrades & such, these are the two things:
1) it must only be installed on one computer at any time
2) Microsoft has never denied anyone (that I'm aware of) re-activation as long as they are following rule (1).

You are partially correct.

1) True. However OEM stays with the pc that it was initially installed on. Even if you burn the system to the ground "technically you're supposed to buy a new OS. A Retail OS allows you to transfer it from one (inactive) pc to the other.

2) I have serviced a few eMachine & HP's that needed a new mainboard. Once the board was replaced you could no longer activate the OS since they use a bios-locked version of Windows. Microsoft tells you to contact the vendor you purchased the computer from. The vendor then gives you two options: buy a mainboard from them or buy a new copy of Windows.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: John
2) I have serviced a few eMachine & HP's that needed a new mainboard. Once the board was replaced you could no longer activate the OS since they use a bios-locked version of Windows. Microsoft tells you to contact the vendor you purchased the computer from. The vendor then gives you two options: buy a mainboard from them or buy a new copy of Windows.

I've been wondering how Microsoft is going to approach BIOS-locked OEM phone activations. Microsoft's written policy is that, if a motherboard fails, you can replace it and re-activate Windows. But I've wondered what MS will do if you try to replace the OEM motherboard with a different brand of motherboard. It sounds like they are handing the problem back to the OEM manufacturer. Who, obviously, won't support the install of XP onto somebody else's motherboard.

No doubt, out-of-warranty replacement of OEM motherboards is going to be OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive, by the time you consider the wait, the parts cost, and the installation cost. In many cases, it may make sense to buy a whole new computer, that will come with another (OEM) XP license.

 

[Taz480]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: cubby1223
The rules basically are, you provide support for your own machine, don't think about ever calling Microsoft for any aid.

As for upgrades & such, these are the two things:
1) it must only be installed on one computer at any time
2) Microsoft has never denied anyone (that I'm aware of) re-activation as long as they are following rule (1).

You are partially correct.

1) True. However OEM stays with the pc that it was initially installed on. Even if you burn the system to the ground "technically you're supposed to buy a new OS. A Retail OS allows you to transfer it from one (inactive) pc to the other.

2) I have serviced a few eMachine & HP's that needed a new mainboard. Once the board was replaced you could no longer activate the OS since they use a bios-locked version of Windows. Microsoft tells you to contact the vendor you purchased the computer from. The vendor then gives you two options: buy a mainboard from them or buy a new copy of Windows.

God Im getting tired of M$ license threads. I should prolly just stay away from them, LOL!! 🙂
Again....wrong!
1)NO, NO, NO, NO OEM DOES NOT stay with the original PC it was installed on, even if it "burns to the ground"!!! How do I know???? I have done it.........several times. I also called M$ and specifically asked them. NO, you DO NOT have to buy a new copy or license.
2) You are right about the BIOS-locked activation. It is the type of activation the manufacturers use to tie the COA to that computer which is different from the way you and I do activation which takes hash value algorithems of 10 points of your hardware. However, if you buy a pre-installed type of machine like an HP or Emachines that has Windows pre-installed and it "burns to the ground", YES you can take and use that license on another machine. How do I know??? Because I have done it.....several times and I also called M$ and specifically asked them. I bought an HP Pavilion in 2002 and they did not use recovery CDs then. Instead they used a hidden recovery partition on ur HDD. Thats great unless ur HDD dies, then ur screwed. Well, mine crashed and destroyed the recovery partition and therefor destroted my "copy" of WindowsXP. I went and bought a new OEM version on holographic disc with a brand new COA license. I hastily re-installed XP using that disc and the new OEM product key. Later, I had bought my daughter a used Dell computer on Ebay with no OS. So I called M$ and asked them, specifically, if I could use the original OEM license from my HP to activate XP on her macjine and they said YES, because it is no longer being used on the computer it came with pre-installed even though it was a manufacturer OEM license, BIOS-locked to that machine. Since then, I can't even tell you how many times I have moved my two legit licenses around from machine to machine and I have never had a problem activating. I even activated the same license on two different machines in one day, LOL!!!!!

It really DOES NOT matter what type of license you have, OEM or Upgrade, ALL licenses, from my experience, are transferrable as long as it is not being used on another machine. That is the bottom line.

 

[Taz480]

Now, thats it. I'm not replying to any more M$ license threads!!! 🙂 ROFL!!!!!!

 

[fireontheway]

Originally posted by: Taz480
Ya and if you ever do have to call them cuz online activation won't work, 99% of the time it's just a voice recognition automated system to activate it. 😛

Well you can actually talk to a person if you press "0" while the recording gives you the choices.

 

[rmrf]

Originally posted by: Taz480

God Im getting tired of M$ license threads. I should prolly just stay away from them, LOL!! 🙂
Again....wrong!
1)NO, NO, NO, NO OEM DOES NOT stay with the original PC it was installed on, even if it "burns to the ground"!!! How do I know???? I have done it.........several times. I also called M$ and specifically asked them. NO, you DO NOT have to buy a new copy or license.
2) You are right about the BIOS-locked activation. It is the type of activation the manufacturers use to tie the COA to that computer which is different from the way you and I do activation which takes hash value algorithems of 10 points of your hardware. However, if you buy a pre-installed type of machine like an HP or Emachines that has Windows pre-installed and it "burns to the ground", YES you can take and use that license on another machine. How do I know??? Because I have done it.....several times and I also called M$ and specifically asked them. I bought an HP Pavilion in 2002 and they did not use recovery CDs then. Instead they used a hidden recovery partition on ur HDD. Thats great unless ur HDD dies, then ur screwed. Well, mine crashed and destroyed the recovery partition and therefor destroted my "copy" of WindowsXP. I went and bought a new OEM version on holographic disc with a brand new COA license. I hastily re-installed XP using that disc and the new OEM product key. Later, I had bought my daughter a used Dell computer on Ebay with no OS. So I called M$ and asked them, specifically, if I could use the original OEM license from my HP to activate XP on her macjine and they said YES, because it is no longer being used on the computer it came with pre-installed even though it was a manufacturer OEM license, BIOS-locked to that machine. Since then, I can't even tell you how many times I have moved my two legit licenses around from machine to machine and I have never had a problem activating. I even activated the same license on two different machines in one day, LOL!!!!!

It really DOES NOT matter what type of license you have, OEM or Upgrade, ALL licenses, from my experience, are transferrable as long as it is not being used on another machine. That is the bottom line.

I'm glad you're not responding to anymore MS license threads, because you have no clue of what you are talking about.

Piracy and Your PC

Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines. Please advise your customers of this licensing rule. If they request a "naked" PC and are planning to transfer an old OEM operating system license to the new machine?they will not have a legal license to run Windows on this new machine.

 

[MrChad]

EDIT: NM, rmrf linked to the exact same page. 😛

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: rmrf
I'm glad you're not responding to anymore MS license threads, because you have no clue of what you are talking about.

There are two separate issues here:
1) Microsoft's written policy as stated on their EULAs, their web sites, and at Microsoft OEM Licensing Seminars (which I've attended). Microsoft's policy is that no OEM license is transferable to a another PC.
2) What a person can "get away with". That will depend upon where the OEM license came from, how well the caller can lie, who the caller is talking to (as in Real Life, not everybody knows their company's policies), and what kind of day the Microsoft person had.

Microsoft established a "Get Tough" policy on OEM activations in March, 2005. There may well be some leniency on the part of Microsoft CSRs. Microsoft doesn't want to PO too many customers over this stuff, but they are, no doubt, going to get tougher and tougher. The new "Get Tough" policy is the reason that Dell doesn't automatically hand you a Recovery CD anymore, in most cases. Too many people were using them to install OEM Dell software on "bare" computers. And they were using "unused" Dell COA numbers to activate software on non-Dell computers. (You NEVER have to "Activate" Dell OEM software on a Dell, so the COA numbers are never used.)

And, no matter what Microsoft's OEM policy, only recent Microsoft software uses Product Activation. Earlier products provide no way to enforce the OEM rules, which is why Microsoft never enforced them, either.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Taz480
It really DOES NOT matter what type of license you have, OEM or Upgrade, ALL licenses, from my experience, are transferrable as long as it is not being used on another machine. That is the bottom line.

The bottom line is that you're wrong....again. 🙁 Seriously, how much more factual info do you need? There is a plethora of information being quoted direct from MS with URL's to back it up in this thread, yet you still insist that everyone is wrong. We know that you can call MS and lie, which is what you chhose to do since you don't abide by the EULA. You might as well use a Corp copy. :roll:

Now, thats it. I'm not replying to any more M$ license threads!!! ROFL!!!!!!

Thank you.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: John
2) I have serviced a few eMachine & HP's that needed a new mainboard. Once the board was replaced you could no longer activate the OS since they use a bios-locked version of Windows. Microsoft tells you to contact the vendor you purchased the computer from. The vendor then gives you two options: buy a mainboard from them or buy a new copy of Windows.

I haven't run into that yet, though I have replaced many a motherboard in HP & eMachines. When that happened, sometimes the original install used a different product key than what is on the COA sticker. I've had to switch out the product key to what is on the side of the case. So far, that has always been able to activate by calling Microsoft.

I do computer sales & repair for my main work, and I've had to call up Microsoft many times to speak to someone about re-activating an oem copy. While I actually haven't been in the situation where I'm trying to activate on a completely swapped out machine, I have come close. Once I built a new system for someone who never went threw with the purchase, so I had to sell off the parts individually to make back the money I spent. Well, then what do I do with copy of Windows? Couple months later I installed it on a new machine, and explained the situation in full to the Microsoft rep and he allowed me to re-activate. The feeling I get from them is that they would rather allow you to bend the rules with a paid oem copy than to get upset and start using pirated copies.

But I could be wrong, I've never put Microsoft to the test over it.

 

[Taz480]

Originally posted by: JohnWe know that you can call MS and lie, which is what you chhose to do since you don't abide by the EULA. You might as well use a Corp copy. :roll:


Well actually I didn't lie to M$. I told them the truth as I am telling you as well. Its not my fault that you dont have the capacity to accept as such and therefore would explain your difference of opinion. I never said I knew everything about M$ licensing, piracy or their EULA. I simply stated what I have experienced with the dealings I have had with product activation and during actual verbal phone calls with M$. So I guess what ur all saying is that I am wrong and you cannot transfer an OEM activated license to another computer regardless of the fact that I have successfully done it under M$ supervision several times and even called them and YES truthfilly explained my situation to them and recieved permission to remove the license from my OEM machine and transfer it to a completely different machine. Hmmm.....
Well while you all sit here and dwell on ur own beliefs of how wrong I am, I will have transferred my OEM license that is tied permanently to my HP Pavilion(Iguess, even though I have moved it around with M$ permission) to two or three other machines and back again and instead of online activation I will purposely call the activation center to OK each transaction and I will have successfully done so because of the legistics that I have learned from my experience.I never said i knew everything about it. All I did was express my my own personal experiences with these versions of Windows and my dealings with M$. Ya, maybe I got some bonehead each time who was so pissed off at his company that he allowed me to do wrong each time, but I doubt it. I did not lye to M$ and I am not lying to you. Everything I have said has been the truth. If I was gonna lye, don't you think I could have come up with something better?? Hey, thats OK. While you people who may have a dead OEM machine(HP, Dell or Emachines, etc.) are out buying a new $150 copy of XP OEM version and throwin that product key in the crapper cuz you think ur copy was married to the machine that just completely died, guess what?? I will be doing the same thing but I will be re-using that product key to my own advantage to activate another copy of XP and I will be able to do so because it IS allowed and M$ specifically said I could do it. So just to reiderate, if there are any of you who may have a pre-installed machine that has died and you are out building ur own or what ever and are buying a new copy of XP and a new license because you believe your original is now null and void and cannot be used, guess what? I will be laughing my arse off at you because I was in the same situation and I happen to know that both my old(OEM) COA and the new one I bought are both legal and valid and can be used on any machine. I will be laughing because you all are so sure of yourselves from speculation or some website you read but I will be confident that my two licenses are valid because I have actualy talked to M$. You all want to knock me down because you think I am wrong. Well, thats cool. I am the one laughing here, now. You all go ahead and throw away ur product keys in those cases. Go ahead. I hope I pass by ur block when you do.
LOL!!!....Gee sure is funny that we are all debating what is actually the truth concerning M$ policy but I am the only one who has actually called and talked to them. So tell me this???? If my original OEM key from the side of my HP case is not usable on any other system, why id=s it that I have activated it on at least two other machoines with M$s approval????? HMMM????? Sounds like you all need to go back and check your resources. Pfffft!!!!!!!!! >shakes head<

 

[Taz480]

Originally posted by: cubby1223

Originally posted by: John
2) I have serviced a few eMachine & HP's that needed a new mainboard. Once the board was replaced you could no longer activate the OS since they use a bios-locked version of Windows. Microsoft tells you to contact the vendor you purchased the computer from. The vendor then gives you two options: buy a mainboard from them or buy a new copy of Windows.

I haven't run into that yet, though I have replaced many a motherboard in HP & eMachines. When that happened, sometimes the original install used a different product key than what is on the COA sticker. I've had to switch out the product key to what is on the side of the case. So far, that has always been able to activate by calling Microsoft.

I do computer sales & repair for my main work, and I've had to call up Microsoft many times to speak to someone about re-activating an oem copy. While I actually haven't been in the situation where I'm trying to activate on a completely swapped out machine, I have come close. Once I built a new system for someone who never went threw with the purchase, so I had to sell off the parts individually to make back the money I spent. Well, then what do I do with copy of Windows? Couple months later I installed it on a new machine, and explained the situation in full to the Microsoft rep and he allowed me to re-activate. The feeling I get from them is that they would rather allow you to bend the rules with a paid oem copy than to get upset and start using pirated copies.

But I could be wrong, I've never put Microsoft to the test over it.

Thank you Cubby, that further substantiates my claim. Like I said, I have done it....with M$ approval several times, oh, but thats right, I am lying, right, guys?? Thats what you accused me of.

We know that you can call MS and lie, which is what you chhose to do since you don't abide by the EULA. You might as well use a Corp copy

Nevermind the fact that I may actually know what the hell Im talking about. Thank you Cubby.


*****EDIT-
Wow, thanx for the welcome to your forum guys. I didn't come here to lie to people and try to get people to believe things that aren't true. I came here to devote my time, for free, to helping people who may have less of a knowledge of computers than I. I also came here to get whatever help I may need as well but mostly to help others. I guess thats the problem with forums. If any one of you actually knew me you wouldn't for a second second-guess my experiences or opinions. In this case I just happen to know what the hell Im talking about and NO I didn't lie. I really don't appreciate being called a liar. I came here on my own time for free. I challenge any of you to do what I did and see if you get a different answer from M$. Go ahead!! go get a pre-installed machine and try to transfer the COA product key to a machine you built. I gaurantee you will be able to do it.Then if you can't then you can call me a liar. Wow, thanx for the warm welcome!!!!! I really DO know what I am talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[Taz480]

Sorry for the dubl post...
Heh, I've seen a lot in forums before. I never been outright called a liar, before. That's a new one. Thanx a lot!!
I AM NOT A LIAR!!!!!!! I actually know what I'm talking about. Thanx for the warm welcome.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
I haven't run into that yet, though I have replaced many a motherboard in HP & eMachines. When that happened, sometimes the original install used a different product key than what is on the COA sticker. I've had to switch out the product key to what is on the side of the case. So far, that has always been able to activate by calling Microsoft.

You probably were using HP or eMachine motherboards to fix them, I imagine? Usually, it's pretty tough to get anything but a factory motherboard into a Dell, HP, etc. case. They usually use non-standard motherboards, with weird hole spacings, weird connectors, riser cards, or other non-standard components.

Yeah, I imagine that MS bends the rules as long as the "victim" sounds honest and doesn't say outright that he's got XP on two different computers simultaneously. I KNOW that MS won't allow THAT scenario. That's been their standard activation question since XP was first released. It's the first thing they ask when you do a phone activation and the automated activation has been refused (it's happed to me a couple of times).

I'm really upset about one new MS policy:
If I encounter a customer who needs a re-install of OEM Windows, if that person doesn't POSSESS a copy of his OEM Install Disk, I'm NOT SUPPOSED to use my own disks. Those who service PCs realize how serious this is. Basically, according to Microsoft, you have to tell the customer, "Sorry, I can't fix your computer until you get your PC maker to send you a CD!"

That's a horrible situation and is completely impractical. But I had Microsoft's VP in charge of Partner Relations tell me that's what MS wants. She considered MS's OEM anti-piracy effort to be more important than making OEM users happy.

 

[rmrf]

Originally posted by: Taz480
Sorry for the dubl post...
Heh, I've seen a lot in forums before. I never been outright called a liar, before. That's a new one. Thanx a lot!!
I AM NOT A LIAR!!!!!!! I actually know what I'm talking about. Thanx for the warm welcome.

Thanks for filling the forum with misinformation, it really helps people out. Obviously you have trouble with reading comprehension, as there are so many sources that show you do not know what you're talking about. We have taken the time to cite Microsoft themselves, to show that you cannot transfer an OEM license from one computer to another.

Please learn to do 3 seconds of research before replying about something you know nothing about. Some of us work for a living instead of counting daddy's allowance as a monthly salary. Most of us replying in OS work in a tech related field, and have to deal with this all the time. Your experience in upgrading your 5 year old HP isn't really applicable, and is obvious you didn't even know what you were doing when you did that.

Thanks again.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
I haven't run into that yet, though I have replaced many a motherboard in HP & eMachines. When that happened, sometimes the original install used a different product key than what is on the COA sticker. I've had to switch out the product key to what is on the side of the case. So far, that has always been able to activate by calling Microsoft.

I do computer sales & repair for my main work, and I've had to call up Microsoft many times to speak to someone about re-activating an oem copy. While I actually haven't been in the situation where I'm trying to activate on a completely swapped out machine, I have come close. Once I built a new system for someone who never went threw with the purchase, so I had to sell off the parts individually to make back the money I spent. Well, then what do I do with copy of Windows? Couple months later I installed it on a new machine, and explained the situation in full to the Microsoft rep and he allowed me to re-activate. The feeling I get from them is that they would rather allow you to bend the rules with a paid oem copy than to get upset and start using pirated copies.

But I could be wrong, I've never put Microsoft to the test over it.

I'm still wondering how the OS install had a different product key than what was on the side of the case. That doesn't add up at all. I also service computers for a living, and as long as you tell the MS Activation rep what they want to hear you'll get an activation code.

Originally posted by: Taz480
Nevermind the fact that I may actually know what the hell Im talking about. Thank you Cubby.

*****EDIT-
Wow, thanx for the welcome to your forum guys. I didn't come here to lie to people and try to get people to believe things that aren't true. I came here to devote my time, for free, to helping people who may have less of a knowledge of computers than I. I also came here to get whatever help I may need as well but mostly to help others. I guess thats the problem with forums. If any one of you actually knew me you wouldn't for a second second-guess my experiences or opinions. In this case I just happen to know what the hell Im talking about and NO I didn't lie. I really don't appreciate being called a liar. I came here on my own time for free. I challenge any of you to do what I did and see if you get a different answer from M$. Go ahead!! go get a pre-installed machine and try to transfer the COA product key to a machine you built. I gaurantee you will be able to do it.Then if you can't then you can call me a liar. Wow, thanx for the warm welcome!!!!! I really DO know what I am talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

First of all welcome to AnandTech. Please keep in mind that piracy is not taken lightly on this forum. It's one thing to keep your illegal actions private, but when you post them in a public forum where a majority of the people that work in the field "actually do know what they are talking about" you are opening a can of worms.

Nobody is debating the fact that it's possible to use an OEM product key on several computers. Nobody is debating the fact that you can call and get activation from MS. It all boils down to your own personal ethics. The fact of the matter in your case is that you are pirating Windows XP.

Taz, I am going to quote rmrf on this one. Please take 15 seconds to read and absorb the information.

>> click the link << Piracy and Your PC

Another common misconception is that you can transfer a preinstalled or OEM copy of Windows from an "old" machine to a new machine. An OEM software license may not be transferred from and old machine to a new machine?even if that machine is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the machine on which it was originally installed and can't be transferred to other machines. Please advise your customers of this licensing rule. If they request a "naked" PC and are planning to transfer an old OEM operating system license to the new machine?they will not have a legal license to run Windows on this new machine.

You mentioned earlier that you were going to stop posting about licensing; it would be nice to see you stick to your word. Once you've taken the time to learn about Microsoft (and other vendors) software licensing, and can refrain from posting "how you circumvented" the EULA we will welcome you with open arms. The bottom line is that we all want to educate people.

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
You probably were using HP or eMachine motherboards to fix them, I imagine? Usually, it's pretty tough to get anything but a factory motherboard into a Dell, HP, etc. case. They usually use non-standard motherboards, with weird hole spacings, weird connectors, riser cards, or other non-standard components.

I've used dozens of aftermarket boards in OEM builds. Sometimes I have to customize the front panel headers, or disconnect other proprietary items to get things functioning correctly. As you've pointed out some are really difficult to work with, and there have been a few that would not accept an aftermarket board without major modification. In some instances I will move a customer to a new case.

 

[Taz480]

Originally posted by: rmrf
Thanks for filling the forum with misinformation, it really helps people out. Obviously you have trouble with reading comprehension, as there are so many sources that show you do not know what you're talking about. We have taken the time to cite Microsoft themselves, to show that you cannot transfer an OEM license from one computer to another.

Please learn to do 3 seconds of research before replying about something you know nothing about. Some of us work for a living instead of counting daddy's allowance as a monthly salary. Most of us replying in OS work in a tech related field, and have to deal with this all the time. Your experience in upgrading your 5 year old HP isn't really applicable, and is obvious you didn't even know what you were doing when you did that.

Thanks again.

"Thanks for filling the forum with misinformation"
Well as far as Im comcerned your post is nothing but a waste of space as well. Do you even realize how disrespectful, insulting and condescending your post is?

"Some of us work for a living instead of counting daddy's allowance as a monthly salary."
ESCUSE ME????????
Who the hell do you think you are talking to? You don't even know me. You wanna get personal about things? I'll get personal with you. There aint no Daddy's money here, dude!!! You think every person here is some punk kid milkin his computer build and Xbox money off of daddy? I happen to be 32 years old and have a wife and three children I can't even support because I am between work. At the same time I try to find time to come here to help others, FOR FREE, because it makes me feel really good to help people. My wife has been going out and working a little to help with the bills and the food a bit. I get absolutely zip from my parant(singular)! As far as my "daddy's money", that wouldn't be very possible anyway because he was killed when I was 9 years old, jerkoff. Thanks for pouring salt in a wound that will never heal. Are we done being condescending and personal now? Or shall we drill deep into your personal life as well?
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I realize that some of you do this for a living and who knows, maybe the policies are different for technicians. Probably not. All I did was share what happened to me and I was called a liar. I was accused of intentionally pirating the software. Maybe the person I spoke to at M$ was wrong in letting me transfer it. I don't know. And no I didn't just do the phone activation and managed to get them to activate. That wasn't what I meant by phone call. I didn't even have my daughter's computer yet when I called. I didn't circummvent anything. I didn't lie to M$ or any of you. I lost my recovery partition, in essence , my copy of XP and had to buy a new copy. My ISP sold me an OEM version but I didn't even realize they had at first. I was just happy I could get my computer going again. In fact I didn't even know what product activation was until then because my original copy was in fact a BIOS-locked version permanently activated by HP. So I could have changed hardware all day long and would never have known. Anyway, I was just glad I had another copy of XP. So I re-installed XP and didn't even think about the product key. I just went ahead and used the new one. After I had read up on what product activation was and more on licenses and piracy, thats actually when I realized that my new copy was an OEM version and so was the old COA sticker on the side of my HP. Later, I was thinking of buying a used computer on ebay for my daughter but being also new to ebay I didn't realize how many were without an OS and how much more ones that had cost. This is when I got the idea to call M$. No it wasn't because I was doing phone activation. As I said I didn't even have the other computer yet. I called on my own and explained the exact situation to them as I have explained it here and I specifically made it clear to them that both COAs are OEM licenses and how I accidently used the new product key when I could have used the old one(for the HP). They told me I can take and use that old OEM key on the new computer when it arrives because basically I now have two legal legitimate licenses. And when it arrived I installed XP and did online activation and it activated immediately reassuring me that the M$ tech I had talked to was correct. What else did I have to go on?

I did nothing to trick them. I was too nieve at the time anyway....😵. I did nothing to circumvent their policy. I did nothing intentionally illegal. I have NEVER had the same license on more than one computer at a time. I HAVE read the EULA(well, most of it). I didn't even know all about it at the time and I assumed if I had questions about what I could legally do and not do with their software they would be the best ones to call. So thats what I dd and got that reply. Then I tried to share that here. Isn't that what these forums are all about?? Sharing your own experiences with other people? Instead I get called a liar and a pirate and told that I don't have any idea what I am talking about when I do and then I get personally insulted by some jerkoff talkin about my daddy who isn't even alive! What I did by using the HP's original key on another computer may have been wrong. I realize that now from reading more. I'm not disputing that now. But what I do know I know from honest experience, not dishonest. At the time I knew who to call to find out, M$. And they told me, YES. What else was I sposed to go by? If that was wrong, fine . But I don't appreciate sitting here being called a liar and a thief. I swear if any of you actually knew me personally, like RMRF up there thinks he does, you wouldn't have even begun to accuse me that way. I hate lying and theft. I hate all forms of deceat. I really was just going by what M$ told me. Sorry if I've wasted your time again.