Using XP on a new machine

[Vikki Sixx]

Hey guys,

I just joined and hope that I will find lots of useful info on these forums.

First query/help please:

I bought a new machine yesterday, as my old one was 6 years old and outdated. I purchased it in bits and pieces online and did not purchase any OS. The reason why, is because I had quite recently purchased a legal copy of Windows XP proffessional and I really did not feel like buy another one again so soon - besides I was told (by the IT guy at work) that I could re-use my XP license again.

Is this true and if so how do I go about doing it:
- Should I remove the OS from the old machine?
- I have only ever loaded it once on my old machine.

Thanks
Vic

 

[antowan]

Hey guys,

I just joined and hope that I will find lots of useful info on these forums.

First query/help please:

I bought a new machine yesterday, as my old one was 6 years old and outdated. I purchased it in bits and pieces online and did not purchase any OS. The reason why, is because I had quite recently purchased a legal copy of Windows XP proffessional and I really did not feel like buy another one again so soon - besides I was told (by the IT guy at work) that I could re-use my XP license again.

Is this true and if so how do I go about doing it:
- Should I remove the OS from the old machine?
- I have only ever loaded it once on my old machine.

Thanks
Vic

Legally, yes. You need to remove it from old machine before installing it on a new pc and activating it over the phone or online. If you are a teacher/educator and the licence came from an education facility, you may be able to get away with an extra activation but I doubt it.

If you want to use the other pc for something useful and it doesn't require windows for usability I would suggest you get some distribution of LINUX (it is free) and turn it into a neat file server to put in a corner somewhere to use for dumping files to and from and as a backup perhaps. Many people don't know how much joy this can give especially when you want to backup stuff for a quick windows re-installation to perk up a pc.

Consider it.

 

[killadoob]

just install it phone microsoft and tell them you've upgrade they will validate and xp will run fine on both machines

 

[NetSpike]

The only version of Windows you're allowed to move/transfer from one computer to another is the boxed retail version.

Read on your legit Windows CD if it says something to the lines of "For distribution with a new PC only". That means it's bind to the original hardware with what you purchased it and cannot be transfered to another computer - in other words it's an OEM or DSP version, not the boxed version.

Since you purchased new hardware you can however purchase Windows Vista Business or Ultimate edition (not the Home, Home Premium or Starter edition) and use downgrade rights to use your Windows XP Professional (not Home or Media Center edition) until you're ready to use your Windows Vista. If you use downgrade rights you don't need to remove it from your original computer because you are using the Vista downgrade rights, which is a seperate licence.

Hope that clears any confusion.

Edward

 

[Vikki Sixx]

Damn !!!

Just checked and it is an OEM CD. So does that mean it cannot be done ?

 

[Vikki Sixx]

Another thing ... I purchased an AMD X2 dual core processor ... is there a specific OS that works with this or will the old one do ?

Thanks
Vic

 

[The_Techie]

Another thing ... I purchased an AMD X2 dual core processor ... is there a specific OS that works with this or will the old one do ?

Thanks
Vic

It'll work fine with Windows XP

 

[NetSpike]

No, it will be illegal to transfer the licence because it's bound to your original hardware. As you stated, you have an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) licence.

You can however buy a DSP Vista (Business or Ultimate edition only) licence and then use your downgrade rights to run Windows XP Professional on your new computer instead of Windows Vista. You can switch over to Vista from your downgraded XP when you're ready. Note that the DSP licence of Vista will be bound to your new computer's hardware unless you buy the boxed retail version, which costs a fortune (which could be 2.5 times the price of a DSP licence at some places).

Hope that helps.

Edward

 

[nocilah]

Damn !!!

Just checked and it is an OEM CD. So does that mean it cannot be done ?

when you phone Microsoft - just tell them you upgraded your current machine- they don't know any better. if they ask you how many pc's will it be running on, just say one.

they will activate it and you can not get into ANY **** for trying either. but rather save your self the cash instead of being backed into a corner with the FEAR people love to spew.