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Windows XP Pro validation problem

M

MageXX9

Senior member
Ok, here's the truth. I bought a copy of Windows XP Pro OEM (just the COA) from a guy in the for/sale forums. He bought a bunch of new PCs and already had a site license, thus not needing these. I don't think selling XP with an applicable piece of hardware was actively being enforced in the forums then.

He said they were not installed, nor activated.

I just recently formatted my computer, and now the key won't work.

Should I call Microsoft? I imagine I could say that he sold me a motherboard/chip with the COA, and for all intents and purposes this computer is the only computer it's ever been installed on. I trust the guy, he has over 400 positive heatwares.

Please help.
 
Technically, from what I understand, you weren't legally allowed to install Windows XP Pro on your machine since it was specific for another computer.

I could be wrong though. I hope I'm wrong for your sake.

 
I guess you don't have much to lose, since you can't activate anyway. If that COA key came from a major OEM (like Dell or Gateway, etc.), you might not be able to activate. It it's a key number that was shipped through wholesalers, you should have less of a problem. Before you call, it'd make sense to review what Microsoft considers proper use of OEM licenses.

Resale of OEM XP that came with another PC has ALWAYS been contrary to Microsoft's licensing terms. They didn't make it a big deal until people started getting rich selling "stolen" COA key numbers.
 
argh, this is the mess I get for trying to be legit...haha


So, I guess I call and talk to the automated lady eh?

I just keep having these visions of Microsoft's thugs knocking on my door...
 
Originally posted by: MageXX9
argh, this is the mess I get for trying to be legit...haha


So, I guess I call and talk to the automated lady eh?

I just keep having these visions of Microsoft's thugs knocking on my door...
Click to expand...

Not to sound like a troll, but Windows XP is not the only operating system which is desktop friendly.

if you find Windows XP too much hassle, then don't use it.
 
Well, if the person who sold you the license sold off a whole SITE'S WORTH of OEM licenses, in violation of Microsoft's licensing terms, he could be in a lot more trouble than you. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
Originally posted by: MageXX9
argh, this is the mess I get for trying to be legit...haha


So, I guess I call and talk to the automated lady eh?

I just keep having these visions of Microsoft's thugs knocking on my door...
Click to expand...

Not to sound like a troll, but Windows XP is not the only operating system which is desktop friendly.

if you find Windows XP too much hassle, then don't use it.
Click to expand...


Using the desktop is not a hassle. I like it actually. I like having all the updates as well.
 
Originally posted by: MageXX9
Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
Originally posted by: MageXX9
argh, this is the mess I get for trying to be legit...haha


So, I guess I call and talk to the automated lady eh?

I just keep having these visions of Microsoft's thugs knocking on my door...
Click to expand...

Not to sound like a troll, but Windows XP is not the only operating system which is desktop friendly.

if you find Windows XP too much hassle, then don't use it.
Click to expand...


Using the desktop is not a hassle. I like it actually. I like having all the updates as well.
Click to expand...

Your original post indicated you were going through hassles in order to get things to work.

Heh, having an operating system which you can't have any updates to it is not even qualified as an operating system (ie, name ONE operating system in use which you can't update easily)

 
Originally posted by: MageXX9
Ok, here's the truth. I bought a copy of Windows XP Pro OEM (just the COA) from a guy in the for/sale forums. He bought a bunch of new PCs and already had a site license, thus not needing these. I don't think selling XP with an applicable piece of hardware was actively being enforced in the forums then.

He said they were not installed, nor activated.

I just recently formatted my computer, and now the key won't work.

Should I call Microsoft? I imagine I could say that he sold me a motherboard/chip with the COA, and for all intents and purposes this computer is the only computer it's ever been installed on. I trust the guy, he has over 400 positive heatwares.

Please help.
Click to expand...

When you say it doesn't work, at what point does it not work? When you do the reinstall can you get past the first screen where you enter in the cd key? Or can you do a full install but the activation process fails?

 
I thought a site license was an upgrade to the OEM and an OEM license was still needed for the PC.
For some reason I thought a site license wasnt a 'full install' license
 
Originally posted by: TG2
I thought a site license was an upgrade to the OEM and an OEM license was still needed for the PC.
For some reason I thought a site license wasnt a 'full install' license
Click to expand...
Yup. ALL Microsoft Volume Licenses are UPGRADE licenses, only. There is no such thing as a "Full Volume License", either Business or Educational. So, yes, the PCs that had volume licenses installed must have a license for a previous version of Windows. The previous version could either be OEM or Retail.

All the more reason why "selling" the existing OEM license is not a proper thing to do. Any volume-licensed PCs that had their original OEM licenses sold no longer have a "legal" copy of Windows.
 
Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
Technically, from what I understand, you weren't legally allowed to install Windows XP Pro on your machine since it was specific for another computer.

I could be wrong though. I hope I'm wrong for your sake.
Click to expand...

activate over the phone.
 
It installed all the way, just wouldn't activate over the internet.

The odd thing about the whole situation was it worked fine the previous 2 times I've formatted/re-installed. I guess the genuine advantage thing is what caused this.

I called and activated over the phone, the Indian guy was actually pretty nice. It worked btw.

He asked what computer it was for and prompted (Dell, HP, Compaq), I said I built it myself.

Who knows, I might have gotten someone in trouble. The guy I bought it from has well over 400 heatware reviews (positive I might add). So, who knows what will come of this situation.

Either way, I am now fully versed in the licensing of Microsoft OSs. If you want to build your own computer, and have a legit Microsoft OS, your best bet is to buy retail?

So, I imagine I'll just buy Vista when it comes out and have no more worries.

And, as far as the Linux thing goes, I already run that...it's in a different computer.


 
Originally posted by: MageXX9
argh, this is the mess I get for trying to be legit...haha
Click to expand...
No, all the mess is for trying to be cheap...

Next time, just buy an oem copy from Newegg or where ever.

As long as the copy of XP is installed on just one computer, the activation reps will be nice to you.
 
Originally posted by: MageXX9
It installed all the way, just wouldn't activate over the internet.

The odd thing about the whole situation was it worked fine the previous 2 times I've formatted/re-installed. I guess the genuine advantage thing is what caused this.

I called and activated over the phone, the Indian guy was actually pretty nice. It worked btw.

He asked what computer it was for and prompted (Dell, HP, Compaq), I said I built it myself.

Who knows, I might have gotten someone in trouble. The guy I bought it from has well over 400 heatware reviews (positive I might add). So, who knows what will come of this situation.

Either way, I am now fully versed in the licensing of Microsoft OSs. If you want to build your own computer, and have a legit Microsoft OS, your best bet is to buy retail?

So, I imagine I'll just buy Vista when it comes out and have no more worries.

And, as far as the Linux thing goes, I already run that...it's in a different computer.
Click to expand...

Have you installed any new hardware on your machine since your last install? That is what happened to me with my xp, and I'm pretty sure all I'd added was a new hard drive. It can be pretty finicky.
 
Were your 2 other reinstalls before Feb 2005?

That date is when MS stopped Internet activations for several large OEM's, anyone will be forced to call and get it activated.

(since with an OEM, they usually ship a restore Cd with an activated image on it and you dont have to activate it...ie BIOS locked restore CD)
 
I first built the computer in October 2003. Installed in October 2003, and then formatted/re-installed in May 2004.

BIOS locked, are you talking about the restore partition?

Next time I'll just buy it either retail or a known OEM.

 
Nope, some CD's are BIOS locked to only 'restore' the image onto a certain PC, many Dells are like this...
 
Originally posted by: MageXX9
Next time I'll just buy it either retail or a known OEM.
Click to expand...
Microsoft really never intended OEM software to be sold to individuals. It was SUPPOSED to only be used by System Builders. As a System Builder, I'm not supposed to sell OEM software to anyone without installing it on a PC. And I'm SUPPOSED to use Sysprep or RIS for the install. I'm not supposed to install OEM XP by inserting a CD into the drive and installing directly from CD.

Microsoft really clamped down on OEM sales, installs, and activations this year. And since MANY OEM sellers are selling pirated software or licenses, or selling materials outside of Microsoft's licensing terms, and it's become really risky to buy OEM Microsoft software. That, and the restrictive OEM licensing terms, are why I recommend that individuals consider buying only sealed retail-boxed versions of Microsoft software. The savings with OEM isn't worth the hassle and the restrictive licensing.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Originally posted by: MageXX9
Next time I'll just buy it either retail or a known OEM.
Click to expand...
Microsoft really never intended OEM software to be sold to individuals. It was SUPPOSED to only be used by System Builders. As a System Builder, I'm not supposed to sell OEM software to anyone without installing it on a PC. And I'm SUPPOSED to use Sysprep or RIS for the install. I'm not supposed to install OEM XP by inserting a CD into the drive and installing directly from CD.

Microsoft really clamped down on OEM sales, installs, and activations this year. And since MANY OEM sellers are selling pirated software or licenses, or selling materials outside of Microsoft's licensing terms, and it's become really risky to buy OEM Microsoft software. That, and the restrictive OEM licensing terms, are why I recommend that individuals consider buying only sealed retail-boxed versions of Microsoft software. The savings with OEM isn't worth the hassle and the restrictive licensing.
Click to expand...


I've read a lot about OPK installations as well. Newegg sells OEM verisons, but are for only system builders. Is that the best route for someone building their own PC?
 
OEM version just means that its linked to that motherboard and your not supposed to move it to another mobo
 
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