Installing Windows XP Pro OEM

Halcyon · 16-10-2004, 01:12

Right well I have Windows XP OEM from my old PC and as that is dead Its not like I have two machines.
So can I put it on my new machine.
I heard somewhere that MS will not give out activation codes as it had to be used on the hardware it was purchased with. (But that hardwares dead now !!!)
So anyway, can someone advise me or else I'm screwed and I cant switch on tommorow.

Thanks.

Richard M · 16-10-2004, 01:32

Install it and if it bugs you to activate it just phone them and say that your hard drive died so you had to install it on a new one.

Halcyon · 16-10-2004, 01:35

Thanks

carlingman · 16-10-2004, 01:41

Pity it is OEM as they have different rules.

Moving an OEM version of XP is difficult to say the least and calling the activation center will probably disallow activation on the new PC.

Microsofts blag is even when removed from the old PC OEM versions are technically linked to the PC to which they are first installed.

Check with the vendor End User Licence Agreement and OEM EULA for exceptions tho and as Richard said above try installing an calling and see what they say as there are exceptions for DELL machines as they allow it as long as the motherboard is being transferred into the new PC.

Ps there is another solution to your problem but I cannot post that on here as it involves using a corporate edition of XP PM me if you want more info.

MovedGoalPosts · 16-10-2004, 08:43

Although it is against the terms of the licence to move an OEM version of the software to a different PC, as the licence was for use on the original PC only, I have done this successfully.

Whether you have to call the activation centre or not may depend on how many times the software was loaded / reloaded on the initial PC.

Of course you can only use OEM software where you are going to support it, and where you are a system builder, in other words you have made some changes to the hardware. That change can be as cheap as installing a new Network Card. Since spending ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£10 on a new NIC enables you to buy legitimate M$ OEM software dramatically cheaper than the retail version, it seems like a good bargain to me

Of course how M$ know that youve upgraded the box itself I don't know, unless M$ windows is in fact spyware

Halcyon · 16-10-2004, 14:04

Im scared now of mucking my PC up.
I realyl want to get it going.
Am I OK to install it and then if Microsoft dont give me a key I can take it off again ?
I have the OEM CD and I just want to get it sorted.
This is driving me mad.
What do you think I should say to them ? Anyoneknow as it is a complete new system, and the old system is no longer in use.

MovedGoalPosts · 16-10-2004, 14:35

You can always remove the windows version you install and replace it with something else. Very simply put you'd just do the replacement OS install having formatted the HD as part of that install.

As for M$ not giving you a code, call their bluff and let them tell you that you are not allowed to install your old OEM disk onto your new PC. I can't see how they can tell that you haven't resued some of your old components in building your new PC. You can always claim that you have reused components, say your graphics card, network card and the like which were purchased as part of your earlier computer. But you wont know until you try, and as said above, you may not even need to call M$, depending on the number of times the disk was originally installed and activated.

idi banashapan · 16-10-2004, 15:01

check these links out....

http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php
http://www.webtree.ca/newlife/WindowsXP_WPA_details.htm
http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/activation.html

General consensus of opinion on these articles seems to state that you can active windows over the internet every 120 days with substantial changes to the hardware. Check out the third link under the paragraph titled 'Hardware Changes". This link may be the most useful in your case.

Hope this helps.

Halcyon · 16-10-2004, 15:18

Thanks.
Il give it my first shot.
Turning on for the first time now.
Send me luck people

Millay · 16-10-2004, 16:06

You'll be fine halcyon.. in my experience of OEM XP, it gives you to activations per disk, and even after that a quick call to microsoft nor mally results in the code being given out straight away before they ask anyquestions...

As they say 'DONT PANIC' all will be fine..

Halcyon · 16-10-2004, 16:36

Im feeling slightly better now. Its booted up and hasnt exploded as yet.
Loading Windows..... Time to wait and see.

paulyoung666 · 16-10-2004, 16:50

good luck

idi banashapan · 16-10-2004, 18:07

XP SP1 will allow 3 days before you need to activate it

Halcyon · 18-10-2004, 12:42

SUCCESS !!!

I phoned them up and it went through with no problems at all.
I didnt even have to speak to a customor advisor.
Even with it being a completely new machine with new hardware.

I'm happy now. Having spent my money on the OEM I am glad I didnt have to go and buy another one.
And for anyone thinking I have two installs, I only have one. My other PC died hence my new build.

Millay · 18-10-2004, 12:50

Im pleased it went ok, as I said MS are very good at reactivating products in my opinion... and generally don't even tstop to ask...