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    Oem Xp

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by aiduciukas, Sep 13, 2008.

  1. aiduciukas

    aiduciukas Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi, I have old HP notebook with oem win xp and I want to reinstall it, but I don't have cd that came with notebook, is it possible to use other win xp cd? because cd-key is written on bottom of notebook. thank you.
     
    aiduciukas, Sep 13, 2008
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  2. Warpdrv

    Warpdrv Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes.... just make sure you get the right version that came with the computer,
    In your case, it would probably OEM XP HOME, generally it will work only with the Service Pack that computer started with....
     
    Warpdrv, Sep 13, 2008
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  3. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hi...

    While not addressing the question, but related to it...

    What, if any, are the essential differences between an OEM copy of an OS (in this case XP) and a retail copy that one can legitimately buy from shops etc.?


    Thanks
     
    lineS of flight, Sep 13, 2008
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  4. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    @lineS of flight: OEM copies can only be installed one time, and if you bought an OEM copy with a computer you can never transfer it to another PC.
     
    Greg, Sep 13, 2008
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  5. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thanks...but I hope you mean multiple times on the SAME machine...right? I mean...what if I wanted to reinstall 'n' number of times the OS on the machine with which I bought the OS?
     
    lineS of flight, Sep 13, 2008
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  6. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    The number of reinstalls is usually limited. However, if or when you reach that limit, you can still activate the OS by calling Microsoft.
     
    kegobeer, Sep 13, 2008
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  7. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Whoa! my reseller never told me that! I better call him and work this out! Moreover, it is not mentioned anywhere on the OEM copy that I have on me that the number of installs are limited! That's not very good news!
     
    lineS of flight, Sep 13, 2008
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  8. aiduciukas

    aiduciukas Notebook Enthusiast

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    should it be written which sp it came with? it's just written: Windows XP Proffesional HP.....
     
    aiduciukas, Sep 13, 2008
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  9. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah it will say so on the disc...mine says Win XP Pro with Service Pack2
     
    lineS of flight, Sep 13, 2008
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  10. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Calm down. It isn't the reseller's responsibility to explain the EULA. No computer company (Dell, HP, etc) mentions the limitations of OEM software. It's up to you to do the research. Besides, you won't see anything until you've reinstalled at least 15-20 times.
     
    kegobeer, Sep 13, 2008
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  11. f4ding

    f4ding Laptop Owner

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    Line, the number of right for reinstall is unlimited. What they're talking about is the software is usually programmed for reinstall a few number of times before it whines and cries foul that you'd have to call Microsoft to fix.
     
    f4ding, Sep 13, 2008
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  12. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm...OK...thanks! I'll try to research it.
     
    lineS of flight, Sep 13, 2008
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  13. lineS of flight

    lineS of flight Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmmm...thanks! Well then in that case I must have misunderstood the post...please correct me if wrong - so what you are saying is that I can reinstall the OEM version on the computer with which it came unlimited number of times - its only that after a certain number of times, the disc needs to be revalidated (of sorts) by MS, which is done by calling them. This is to prevent any misuse etc. Am I correct?

    So essentially, this will also be the difference between a legit retail version and the OEM version. Again, am I correct?

    On another note, I think I 'hijacked' this thread. Sorry about that!
     
    lineS of flight, Sep 13, 2008
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  14. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    OEM copies are tied to the original machine and cannot be transferred to any other machine. They also limit the number of online activations (then the product must be activated over the phone).
     
    kegobeer, Sep 13, 2008
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  15. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    miro_gt, Sep 14, 2008
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  16. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Since when? The number of "installations" is limited, to one - the machine the OEM version came preinstalled on; however, you can "reinstall" it as often as you like - on that same machine - because it's tied to the machine it came preinstalled on.

    Where you will eventually run into the problem of having to call MS is when you've changed a sufficient number of the core components that the number MS validation uses to associate your license with your physical hardware can no longer be ascertained from the hardware. At that point, if it won't validate, you call the MS number you're given (usu on a pop-up), explain what happened, and if you're on the up and up, you'll get revalidated.
     
    Shyster1, Sep 14, 2008
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  17. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    As I said, "reinstalls" not installations. I've said many times in many different threads that OEM copies are tied to the original machine, and in this thread I've said that after a certain number of reinstallations the online activation will eventually stop working and require a phone call to MS. I never said that at some point an OEM owner would no longer be able to install and use the software.

    Changing hardware isn't the only thing that will cause a user to call MS. I have an old OEM copy of XP that I use on one of my desktops. Without changing any hardware, after reinstalling the operating system many times, I "used up" my online activations and had to call MS for every reinstallation. Oddly enough, after about 5 calls to MS, the online activation started working again, and I haven't had a problem since.
     
    kegobeer, Sep 14, 2008
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