Re: XP OEM or XP Upgrade, Help With Decision Please

On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 09:57:46 GMT, Chris Whelan
<cawhelan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Bryan Bellis wrote:
>
>>
>> I'm about to build my son a new PC from parts I'm purchasing from
>> ebuyer.com and partly from his existing PC. I'm going to move him from
>> Windows 98 to XP of some variety, but which?
>>
>> If I get the OEM version of XP will I encounter any problems or
>> limitations, or should I just hand in the towel, stop being a penny
>> pinching old sod and just go a buy the XP Upgrade from e.g. PC World
>> or wherever?
>>
>> Advice much appreciated please.
>>
>
>My understanding is that there is more than one sort of OEM version.
>
>The one you can buy if you get a qualifying piece of hardware at the same
>time does not seem to be limited in any way. Certainly I have built a new
>box with none of the original parts, and my OEM version installed on the
>new box without difficulty. Because it was more than 120 days since it was
>first activated it was possible to activate normally over the 'net.
>
>However, the OEM version that would be supplied to you if you bought a
>machine from a large company is likely to be BIOS locked. It would only
>install to the original motherboard.
>
>HTH
>
> Chris

I read recently that all OEM versions were limited to one specific
machine and that once activated, the OS was specific to that machine
only. If the original computer was later taken out of commission, that
particular Product Key could not be transferred to another computer.

I also read enough the realise that legally there are more grey areas
than any other colour with this kind of rule making, particularly in
an international context. After all the man's name is Bill, not
Statute.
--
Regards,
Mike Halmarack

Drop the EGG to email me.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: PC hangs during activation and non-activation
    ... As you have a new OEM OS license, it sounds like you are trying to do ... license, the OS will not be tied to the old MB, so it should install just ... since windows won't start.? ... How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: PC hangs during activation and non-activation
    ... As you have a new OEM OS license, it sounds like you are trying to do ... license, the OS will not be tied to the old MB, so it should install just ... since windows won't start.? ... How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Use my original COA ( CD-KEY) in my Toshiba laptop
    ... It is easy to get a legal OEM copy of Microsoft Media Center 2005. ... Media Center Edition and no Personal Support ... There is no "deal" between MS and PC makers to cripple the install. ... sells the OEM copies of MCE to the manufacturers at a deeply ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: System died - Can OEM xp be used on new computer?
    ... I think I'll give a try installing the old xp pro. ... replacing a defective motherboard certainly ... > is where one is instructed to affix the OEM CoA label w/Product Key. ... The repair install allowed me to input my legit product key ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: Use my original COA ( CD-KEY) in my Toshiba laptop
    ... "ReInstall from the Recovery Disc!" ... There is no "deal" between MS and PC makers to cripple the install. ... The manufacturers modify the setup to check to make ... "Recovery Disc" Version of MCE2005 to the OEM Version. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)