Windows XP licenses and reinstall

[paulsiu]

One annoying aspect about XP is if I attempt to upgrade components, XP may complain that my computer has change. Over the years, my desktop computer has have just about every component replaced because I like to play around. This is probably why I stuck with Windows 2000 instead of upgrading to XP.

I am contemplating upgrading my mom's computer's motherboard because it demands expensive outdated RAM. However, as soon as I do this, I would have to reinstall XP. Unfortunately, I am doubtful that the recovery CD that comes with the machine will work with the new MB.

At the same time, my girlfriend's laptop could use a reinstallation, but she doesn't remember where the XP original disks are.

My questions are:

1. I probably have a XP Home CD lying around. Can I use that to install it on multiple machine but reuse the key that each machine originally come with. I probably have to call Microsoft since the config's change. Are they going to give me a hard time?

2. Is there a way to get the product key off the computer? No one seems to remember where the original disks are. The product key is probably a sticker on the computer, but just in case is there a way to read it off the disk?

Paul

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: paulsiu

1. I probably have a XP Home CD lying around. Can I use that to install it on multiple machine but reuse the key that each machine originally come with. I probably have to call Microsoft since the config's change. Are they going to give me a hard time?

May be. But, you may have problems if the CD you have is retail and the key is for an OEM XP.

2. Is there a way to get the product key off the computer? No one seems to remember where the original disks are. The product key is probably a sticker on the computer, but just in case is there a way to read it off the disk?

Download and run Everest from here. Look under "Operating System".

 

[fuzzynavel]

Please correct me if I am wrong.....you have a legal CD key from an OEM supplier......then is it actually still illegal to download a backup via peer to peer in this case......i think it would be legal as you do have a legal license already!!

I believe it is ok to have a backup copy as long as you legally purchased the product in the first place!!!!!

there are also such things as keygens if you get frustrated.......can't tell you where to get them or how to find them as I will probably get banned....but they do exist!

 

[jackschmittusa]

Navid gave very good advise.

The recovery cd probably won't work as few of them ever have a stand alone copy of Windows on them.

MS has recently changed their policy on oem activation. If it came from a major vender, you have to call them for activation even if it is just a re-install. I don't know how that will work with them now.

I personally believe that since you paid for a license as part of the machine price, you should be allowed to continue using it. So, if they were to deny you, I would mention that activation has been cracked for some time now.

 

[Killrose]

I've been wondering about this issue as well. I bought a Dell WinXP with SP2 CD/COA and the person I bought it off of said he never activated it because he removed WinXP from the HD and installed Linux.

I installed it on my homebuilt system and went thru the Auto on-line registration thing, this was all several months ago. My question is, if I do a major up-grade and have to Call-in to reregister, am I going to show up in MS's system as the origional registrant? Do you think I will have a problem?

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Killrose
I've been wondering about this issue as well. I bought a Dell WinXP with SP2 CD/COA and the person I bought it off of said he never activated it because he removed WinXP from the HD and installed Linux.

I installed it on my homebuilt system and went thru the Auto on-line registration thing, this was all several months ago. My question is, if I do a major up-grade and have to Call-in to reregister, am I going to show up in MS's system as the origional registrant? Do you think I will have a problem?

Officially, you cannot remove an OEM version of XP from one system and install it on another.
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx
What you can practically do, because of the lack of enforcement, is a different story.

If you have an OEM legitimately installed on a machine, you are entitled to upgrading your machine. If activation fails, you call and they fix it for you.
How far you can go in the upgrade goes into a gray area. Some say that you cannot upgrade the motherboard on an OEM license.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/oemeula.htm

If you have a retail version of XP, you will have no issues at all, neither officially, nor practically!

 

[Laputa]

You can use the Keyfinder to find the key. But it's up to you to determine whether the OS is OEM, Retail, or Upgrade with different SP. As for activation, can not do too many times for the same key and/or you'll get flagged.

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/

 

[Killrose]

So what is going to happen if I just remove my hardware drivers, ect., from WinXP registry, shut down, remove old components, put in the new components? I used to do this with Win98se and had no problems without a re-format and it usually worked ok.

Seems like WinXP would be able to handle this sort of swap out better than Win98se.

 

[fuzzynavel]

Adding new components under winxp has never been a problem for me.....didn't even bother deleting old drivers etc....no problems...maybe more lucky than sensible!!!

Only thing that usually causes problems is if you replace the MOBO and expect it just to run with an old install of XP...

 

[FlyingPenguin]

First of all you need to do something more than just delete your drivers from the registry.

Whenever you change mobos you must do a repair install of WinXP. Boot from the XP CD after swapping mobos (I would HIGHLY recommend you make a Norton Ghost or other image backup of you HDD first in case you have problems and need to go back to the old mobo) choose "Repair" from the 2nd menu - the one after the EULA - not the "Repair from Recovery Console" option in the first menu.

This will wipe the device manager and re-install all drivers. It will only install generic drivers so you'll need to install all the latest mobo, video and sound drivers afterwards. This also resets WindowsXP back to the version on the CD you used to run the repair from (if the CD is pre- SP1 then there will be no service packs installed, if it's SP1 then it will only install SP1, etc). You'll also need to install all the latest security updates again (a repair install puts all the OS core files back to the factory versions). All your apps and settings will remain the way they were though.

If you have a legal version of XP then there's no problem upgrading hardware - you just do an activation when prompted. If you're lucky you can do an Internet activation. If it tells you to call an 800 number then it may take 10 minutes or so depending on whether it's an automated system or you talk to a real person. If it's a real person just say you changed your mobo. Don't volunteer ANY information that may indicate you've violated the EULA (for instance if they ask you how many computers you've installed this OS on say only 1) or they can legally deny you an activation.

As stated by someone else above, you cannot use an OEM CD with a non-OEM key. Any OEM key should work with any OEM CD.

Be aware that Microsoft, beginning this month, has stopped allowing Internet activations of OEM keys from major vendors (Dell, Gateway, HP, etc). This is because people have been doing multiple installs using the same key (taking the Dell OEM CD and key from their friend's system and installing it on theirs).

They will now make you call an 800 number for an OEM activation and you'll speak to a real person. They will ask you questions about your hardware to confirm that the CD key came with your computer (they apparently know what vendor the CD key was assigned to).

Those of us in the IT business tend to use WinXP Pro Corporate installs on our systems - even if we have valid non Corporate CD keys for them. That way we avoid activation hassles every time we upgrade (I for one upgrade my hardware every 6 months). Those of us in the business have easy access to legit Corporate keys, but frankly there's ISOs and warez keys all over the Internet. I see no legal problem with this as long as you DO own a legit key.

Just be aware that starting sometime this year Microsoft will require your system to pass the Windows Authenticity check before allowing you to get Windows Updates. Most Warez corporate keys and keys from keygens will fail this test. You can go to Microsoft's Genuine Windows site and test your own system.

Even if your key fails this test, MS intends to continue to allow you to get updates, but ONLY if you use Automatic Updates (at least for now).

 

[Killrose]

Well it appears if I do upgrade I could try the call in and if I get turned down, I get turned down. Hopefully the men in black from MS don't show up at my door afterwards. At least I do have SP2 on this Dell CD/COA.

Probably the most sensible thing for me would be to just figure in the cost of WinXP as part of my next upgrade I guess. I think this will make me hang on to my OC'd mobile Barton system longer than I expected.

Maybe I will wait till LongHorn, WinXPse or whatever comes out till my next upgrade.

 

[oboyco]

OK, I'm just a bit confused by this thread. Tell me if I'm wrong, in the post by Navid, Michaels says you have a very hard time upgrading the mb with XP OEM, however Penguin states it shouldn't be a problem.

The reaon I'm asking this is because I will purchase in the near future, a new hard drive and XP OEM. A few months down the line I will buy a new mb and cpu. I really don't want to buy another XP OEM if this will not work on the new mb. Please clarify if possible. It's my understanding that incremental upgrades should not be a problem with MS. Their site doesn't really address the issue (at least that I could find)

 

[montag451]

If you replace the mobo, Msoft consider that to be a change of computer.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: oboyco
OK, I'm just a bit confused by this thread. Tell me if I'm wrong, in the post by Navid, Michaels says you have a very hard time upgrading the mb with XP OEM, however Penguin states it shouldn't be a problem.

The reaon I'm asking this is because I will purchase in the near future, a new hard drive and XP OEM. A few months down the line I will buy a new mb and cpu. I really don't want to buy another XP OEM if this will not work on the new mb. Please clarify if possible. It's my understanding that incremental upgrades should not be a problem with MS. Their site doesn't really address the issue (at least that I could find)

This is exactly what I was pointing out; there is a difference between what is official (what Michael is talking about) and what happens in reality (what Penguin says).
The thing to note is that Microsoft can choose at any time to start enforcing what is official. Whether they will ever do that, or when they may decide to do it, is your guess as well as mine.