Windows XP Home Options

[Old Man River]

Windows XP Home ? Retail, or OEM Installing and Re-installing Options

I?ve searched here on most topics and I?ve done my research on Microsoft web pages and I can?t find the information I need.

1. Is it true you are not allowed to re-install XP Home (OEM) version on the original computer that has a replacement CPU, Motherboard, Hard Drive, or any other component?

2. Does it still hold true you can install XP Home ? Retail on two, but no more than two computers in your home?

 

[cleverhandle]

Both are false.

 

[Old Man River]

Oh Man! Why do people report that in their reviews? I?m so confused. How is anyone supposed to figure Microsoft out and know what to buy? If I buy the Retail, How restricted is that?

Also, if I call Microsoft, will they tell me the truth, or give me a whole lot of run-around - BS?

The thing that bothers me is, years ago, we could load the Retail version of whatever OS it was that was out.


Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16837102059

Activation is very annoying.
Pros: Need it to play games and Newegg has a great price.
Cons: Activation is a huge annoyance. Beware if you change any of your system hardware - will need to call Microsoft and spend about 15-30 minutes on the phone. Very restrictive.

Thanks to M$ had to re-purchase XP for emachine mobo replacemnt
Pros: Cheapest XP @ $xx. Can be used to re-activate OEM XP on old HD w/new mobo.
Cons: Unacceptable that MS/emachines would link their OEM/XP with the emachines mobo. You cannot re-activate your emachines OEM XP Home w/a new mobo without purchasing a new XP.
Other Thoughts: At least I could re-activate the existing XP on the HD by changing product key to the newly purchased key & used automated activation. Stinks that you have to re-purchase XP just because you replace emachines mobo. Replaced mobos on other PC (e.g. HP, home-made PC) & could re-activate without new purchase. Very shady of M$/emachines. But thanks to the great Newegg, could get XP going again for $xx.

Other Thoughts: Just to clarify the OEM: based on EULA (End User License Agreement), OEM version of PC is for distribution of new PCs, and only valid for one PC (which means CD-KEY). Recently (or not) M$ announced the term 'PC' is determined by motherboard. Therefore if you change parts other than your motherboard, that is acceptable, and considered 'upgrade' of your current PC. However if you ever choose to change your motherboard (which usually changes most of the parts after all) M$ will not validate your OEM version of windows. Just make it a simple notice if you are making this as a 'bridge' to a vista. For me, I really don't know whether I'll like vista or not. So far, it did not reach my demand.

oem?
Pros: um...i just put this version of xp on my computer and my sisters + have already changed my hardware around with my new vid (gotta have windows in there first) and its not "stuck to the motherboard" and its the same exact thing as the retail just not with all the extra packaging and stuff

 

[cleverhandle]

Why don't you try looking through these forums or other reputable tech sites rather than just blindly trusting unmoderated Newegg reviews?

Yes, there are some details that you need to be aware of, but this comes up about once a week. Search.

 

[Old Man River]

Originally posted by: Old Man River
I?ve searched here on most topics and I?ve done my research on Microsoft web pages and I can?t find the information I need.

Thank you.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: Old Man River
I?ve searched here on most topics and I?ve done my research on Microsoft web pages and I can?t find the information I need.

Searching "oem" in the search bar at the top of the page seems to come up with a lot of hits.

But fine...

1) An OEM license is for a single computer and cannot be transferred to a new one. If you change enough parts on one machine within a short period of time (particularly the motherboard), then it will not activate over the internet and you will have to call MS (which takes all of a few minutes). MS has recently been somewhat tighter about enforcing the "single machine" clause of the license, but many (most?) people don't seem to have any problem if they call and explain their situation politely. I've done this - it took less than 5 minutes. The hardware record "expires" after a certain period of time anyway, so this mostly only affects people that change parts constantly. Also, it certainly not true that "any component" will trigger a reactivation. The details are somewhat complicated, but typical upgraders do not have any problems.

2) Simply false and has always been false, for every version of Windows. Some versions of Office had license clauses similar to that, but not Windows.

 

[Old Man River]

Cleverhandle

Using OEM in serch yesterday got me nothing but everything I didn?t need, I spent hours looking, however, just now I found what I wanted to know :
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1916429&enterthread=y

I hope I can trust this advice.

I found this on another topic:

------------------------------------------

Here is some food for thought:

Quoted from MS System Builders

"If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer?s replacement/equivalent."

A system builder it seems would determine what constitutes as a qualifying motherboard.

As I see it, the purchaser of a generic OEM XP version of XP becomes the system builder and can determine what hardware upgrade becomes a system that the OEM is the sole support by the OEM.

This pretty much leaves it open to the OEM system builder.

As the OEM system builder they can define what hardware was upgraded in compliance with the OEM EULA when prompted for activation.

This would also seem to satisfy Microsoft's requirement that the OEM assumes all support of the OS for the reduced price of the OEM license. I am sure that generic OEM versions are still priced higher than the big system builders pay for each OEM license.

Systems shipped with the big box (HP, Compaq, Dell, Toshiba, Sony, Gates, etc. ) OEM versions would need to upgrade hardware supported by the vendor and would be limited by their licensing restrictions.

Now that certainly makes it more clear doesn't it. It does for me.

I build computer and install an OEM Lic OS. I am the OEM Builder, If I replace a damaged MB as long as I approve it is my equivalent replacement then the license is fine and the EULA is satisfied. The only kicker is the original MB has to be damaged.

That is my take on it. I did this with a PC at home and called they said fine... so it is all good. MS is just too wishy washy. I know what the EULA says but the clarification in the system builders section contradicts parts of the EULA or as I take it expands the intent of the EULA. So this is how I read the MS Babbling: AS long as you are the OEM, The MB is defective, then YOU get to decide what is YOUR OEM replacement MB. Seems cut and dried to me.

Just install and activate it, if you have any problems talk to the guy or gal in india and say you've had to repair your computer and you should be good to go.

I upgraded my motherboard from a Socket A to a S754. Called Microsoft, and they activated it. This was an OEM XP Home CD.

Someone should make a sticky using the correct advice if this question is asked over and over again.

Thank you, again.