Building New Computer

agcereniv · 01-11-2007, 04:31 PM

Hello!

I am building a new computer from the ground up. In terms of an OS, is it safe/legal to use the OS from my last retail computer purchase so long as both the old and new comps stay in my possession? The OS is XP Home and the old computer came from Dell.

If this is not a good idea, what is?

Thanks!

Geekgirl · 01-11-2007, 04:52 PM

You can install a Retail version of XP on as many computers as you wish as long as the O.S. is unistalled on the current system.
So basically, you can transfer from machine to machine but it cannot be installed on 2 machines at the same time........hope this makes sense

**petercj** · 01-11-2007, 05:58 PM

If you right click on My Computer and select Properties it should tell you whether your o/s is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), which it probably is, in which case it is not transferable to another computer under the Microsoft terms of use, i.e. License Conditions.

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx

**PanamaGal** · 01-11-2007, 08:18 PM

If it is a Dell, you cannot use the OS on another computer period, as you would be violating the licensing agreement. You can buy an another OEM copy of XP online for the new computer, which would be the cheapest way to go. But if you do that keep in mind you'll be in the same boat with this copy of XP, once you activate it on that computer, it then becomes "married" to that machine, or more specifically, motherboard. If you want something you can be transferring, you'll need a retail copy like Geekgirl stated.

Al Frankenstein · 01-12-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

In terms of an OS, is it safe/legal to use the OS from my last retail computer purchase

I think the question has been answered here, but I just wanted to add something to clear up a possible misunderstanding.

You may have bought your computer at retail, but that does not mean it came with a retail version of XP. Dell's do not come with a retail version, but rather a OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version. Same program, different license.

If you did in fact have a full retail version you would be able to use XP in another machine, as long as you only had it installed in one machine at a time. An OEM version, however, is 'married' to the one machine it came installed on and is not transferable.

stirling · 01-12-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanamaGal

You can buy an another OEM copy of XP online for the new computer, which would be the cheapest way to go.

Don't think so - at least not any more...
As I understand it MS have now changed the OEM ULA for XP to close what they saw as a loophole.

In brief I believe it's now illegal for any supplier to sell an OEM XP unless it comes with a system. As agcereniv already has the hardware, it's too late for that.

I know you'll still find (even household name) vendors that do, but the following seems pretty clear (particularly 4.1 onwards)

http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/arc...07/461950.aspx

01-11-2007, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
agcereniv Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 45 OS: WinXP Pro	Building New Computer Hello! I am building a new computer from the ground up. In terms of an OS, is it safe/legal to use the OS from my last retail computer purchase so long as both the old and new comps stay in my possession? The OS is XP Home and the old computer came from Dell. If this is not a good idea, what is? Thanks!

01-11-2007, 04:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Geekgirl Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 12,404 OS: 98SE/WinXP Home/WinXP Pro Blog Entries: 1	You can install a Retail version of XP on as many computers as you wish as long as the O.S. is unistalled on the current system. So basically, you can transfer from machine to machine but it cannot be installed on 2 machines at the same time........hope this makes sense __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM

01-11-2007, 08:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
PanamaGal Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Posts: 1,240 OS: WinXP Pro SP2; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista Ultimate; Vista Business	If it is a Dell, you cannot use the OS on another computer period, as you would be violating the licensing agreement. You can buy an another OEM copy of XP online for the new computer, which would be the cheapest way to go. But if you do that keep in mind you'll be in the same boat with this copy of XP, once you activate it on that computer, it then becomes "married" to that machine, or more specifically, motherboard. If you want something you can be transferring, you'll need a retail copy like Geekgirl stated. __________________ It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.

01-11-2007, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
petercj UK Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: South Coast UK Posts: 905 OS: Win XP Pro/XP Home/98se/Suse Linux 9.1 & Xandros 3 Deluxe	If you right click on My Computer and select Properties it should tell you whether your o/s is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), which it probably is, in which case it is not transferable to another computer under the Microsoft terms of use, i.e. License Conditions. http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/YourPC_do.mspx