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    Can I salvage the OS from my laptop to my new desktop?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by iqwertyi, Jan 14, 2009.

  1. iqwertyi

    iqwertyi Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, I have an HP laptop that the motherboard is crapping out on me.
    I also have a desktop build that I haven't installed an OS for yet.

    Can I somehow use the Windows XP that was on my laptop to the desktop?
    I have the recovery CD's, but never really tried this before.
    Just thinking if I can save $100 on my build.

    Thanks.
     
    iqwertyi, Jan 14, 2009
    #1
  2. booboo12

    booboo12 Notebook Prophet

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    Nope, First HP's recovery disk's aren't a Windows XP cd but instead are a disk image of your laptop's hard drive as shipped from the factory. Second, the version of Windows installed on your laptop is known as an OEM copy. Those copies are tied to one machine only and it would violate the EULA to try and move it.
     
    booboo12, Jan 14, 2009
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  3. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

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    But if you do phone activation they will still activate it.
     
    JCMS, Jan 14, 2009
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  4. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Not necessarily. The difference between OEM versions of .Windows and retail versions is that the OEM versions are supposed to be tied to the hardware on which they were pre-installed - that's why you pay less for the OS when you buy it pre-installed - and while there is room to take hardware upgrades into account, moving the OS from the _HP hardware that the OEM OS was sold with to completely different hardware is a violation of the terms of the license you received with the _HP laptop.
     
    Shyster1, Jan 14, 2009
    #4