When selling laptops with regards to HDDs

[schott1984]

I'm going to sell two laptops here. They both have the MS product keys on the bottom.

Is it acceptable to wipe the HDDs, re-install the drives in the laptops, and ship them empty?

Will the buying then be able to download and activate a copy of windows using the OEM key that came with the laptop?

Thanks.

 

[Gillbot]

Shipping them restored from OEM media is ok, or shipping them wiped is fine and preferred as long as the buyer is aware of this.

 

[janas19]

I'm going to sell two laptops here. They both have the MS product keys on the bottom.

Is it acceptable to wipe the HDDs, re-install the drives in the laptops, and ship them empty?

Will the buying then be able to download and activate a copy of windows using the OEM key that came with the laptop?

Thanks.

Yeah I think it's acceptable if you disclose that, but why not just install the OS using the keys on the bottom? It's basically what they are there for, or no?

 

[Gillbot]

As long as they are either wiped clean, or restored to OEM/etc. you are fine. If you sell them with an OS, be prepared to answer a question on the COA if it's valid, etc.

 

[janas19]

As long as they are either wiped clean, or restored to OEM/etc. you are fine. If you sell them with an OS, be prepared to answer a question on the COA if it's valid, etc.

Huh? I'm sorry but I don't follow you, what do you mean by "answer a question."

My thought was that OEM versions of Windows are preactivated, hence no need for any end user to activate

 

[Gillbot]

Huh? I'm sorry but I don't follow you, what do you mean by "answer a question."

My thought was that OEM versions of Windows are preactivated, hence no need for any end user to activate

If you restore it, but if we see you are selling a laptop with Win 7 and it has an XP COA on it, we will be pm'ing you to verify the validity of the install.

FS/FT rules are pretty clear on this.

No bootleg software distribution. Anyone who knowingly buys, sells, trades, or distributes bootlegged (warez) software
through this forum will be suspended or permanently banned at our discretion.
No sales or trades of Academic or NFR (Not For Resale / Retail distribution) software. If you are caught selling or trading this type of software you will be suspended or permanently banned at our discretion.
The sale of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) copies of activated software must include an appropriate piece of hardware to keep the sale legit. If you are unsure what is appropriate, please review Microsofts Website on OEM Licensing. Sales of unactivated copies must comply with Microsoft Rules on OEM Licensing.

 

[schott1984]

Well if the laptop came with that OEM key on the bottom, is there any way it's not valid?

I'd rather just wipe it and leave it than deal with installing OS... They're older laptops with XP.

 

[Gillbot]

Well if the laptop came with that OEM key on the bottom, is there any way it's not valid?

I'd rather just wipe it and leave it than deal with installing OS... They're older laptops with XP.

If you post it on google and it is blacklisted. If you install it on multiple machines, Microsoft may not allow it to be registered and it will not be considered legitimate.

 

[schott1984]

If the drives have two partitions, one recovery, and one usable, should I just wipe the usable one?

 

[EagleKeeper]

If you are going through the effort to wipe the usable one; then why not be courteous and active the recovery unless the buyer ask for you to not to do so?

 

[walloyyy]

yup, that's what i do for all laptops/desktop i sell. i think its the best thing to do