Will my old copy of XP Pro work on a new laptop?

My old laptop died. I am getting a new one soon and would prefer not to buy a new copy of XP Pro. Not becasue I am against paying for it, but I would like to upgrade to Vista Ultimate when it comes out, and the current XP Pro only offers Vista Business upgrades. So it seems like a waste to have to buy XP for a couple months of use.

The copy I have came with my old Hypersonic CL56, so it is OEM, right? And that means it is not "supposed" to be used on a different computer? Is it the honor system, or will it not let my serial number work again (what if I called Microsoft, which I had to do to get a new serial number when reinstalling XP once)?

Thanks.

 

An OEM disk usually will not work in another manufacturer's computer, but if you got another Hypersonic laptop, it might work. However, you can't really buy an OS-free laptop, so your options are, get one with XP Home and wait for Vista, or find something to tie you over and get a laptop when Vista comes out. If you don't *need* to be mobile, maybe you know someone with an old desktop lying around... Good luck.

Malia

 

You can build an laptop without an OS on websites such as powernotebooks.com and xoticpc.com and others. It just comes with a CD of drivers and thats all. And I would not be buying from hypersonic again.

 

OEM means it's to be used on the computer you bought only

if you buy a retail copy, it's to be used on 1 computer at a time

as mentioned, it's pretty difficult to buy a computer w/out an OS unless you're building one yourself which, if that is the case, you should buy a retail copy of an OS anyway

 

On a similar note, will there be a cheaper Vista Premium upgrade, from XP or Vista Business that is less than the full retail price?

 

You can use your old XP OEM COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker from an old system to your new one.

The only thing you have to do is not use the previous system anymore... meaning the Windows XP on it.

When you install the XP on the new system, you have to activate it by calling Microsoft saying that you have changed your hardware configuration, then they should give you the activation code for you to type in..

Thats it.

I have worked with a lot of OEMs before. Thats how it works for those that broke a desktop or notebook and still have a XP license that can be transferred to a new system.

There is no legal problems here all legitimate transfer of licenses. Just make sure you do not use the same COA on 2 systems at the same time and you will be fine.

 

above is incorrect:

The End User License Agreement (EULA) for OEM software, including Windows XP, states that the software is licensed as a single integrated product in connection with the hardware.

In general, OEM software may not be transferred from one system to another system. However, the computer system can certainly be updated with new components without the requirement of a new software license.

read the EULA here

 

Thanks, Gophn, thats what I was hoping to hear. Although I do think drumfu has a point, it probably is against the rules. But looks like there is enough of a grey area for it to work.

 

This seems to be a popular topic. I'll quote a previous post.

 

let me be clear. there is no grey area. you cannot legally transfer an OEM license of XP to another computer. period.

 

You most certainly can, as long as you keep the an original piece of hardware (the hard drive). If you get a new laptop you may be able to install your current HDD (assuming that it's not the part that is dead) and keep your copy of OEM WinXP Pro. You will have to call in to M$ and reactivate, though, as you will have had a lot of hardware changes. All you have to do is to tell the tech on the line what happened and what you did. They will give you a new key to activate with your current configuration.

I did this on my wife's desktop after I replaced the mobo and processor, and was told straight-up by the M$ tech that it was perfectly fine to do, so long as the HDD was transferred over with the original OEM copy installed.

 

EDIT: here's a link straight from the horse's mouth

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

 

So if something happens and your mobo gets fried, you're supposedly out of your OS too? In reality, even M$ isn't that bad. Like I said, I called in, explained exactly what happened, and they agreed to issue me a new activation key.

EULA or not, if a M$ agent agrees to issue a new license key, then you're legal. They have apparent, if not actual, authority in an agency relationship.
--------------------------------------

Edit:

Here's further information from Microsoft:
"System builders may distribute each desktop operating system unit to an end user with either a fully assembled computer system or nonperipheral computer hardware component."
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/product_guide_2003_q2/osystem/OtherOS.htm

Also, the link you gave also talks about transferring the license to a completely new machine. It avoids the solution that I proposed (and practiced), that is transferring an entire piece of the original hardware.

 

i edited my post.

so, what you're saying is that just because some guy wearing a microsoft badge tells you that you can break the EULA, it's OK?

that's like a cop telling you that you can murder someone so you think it's ok.

 

What? It most certainly is not! In one, you're talking about authority to modify a contract, and in the other you're talking about authority to pardon criminal conduct.

Do you know anything about a principal / agent relationship?!?

Regardless, like I said, if you transfer a piece of the original hardware then it is not a transfer to a completely new computer. Think of it as upgrading every other piece of hardware if it makes you feel better.

 

as for the End-User License...

think about this, if your motherboard goes out, and you get another one. Windows XP will pick that up and force you to re-activate (thats right, substantial hardware change will cause this to occur), but it wont go through automatically since its already been activated with another system configuration (which makes a distinct system ID). So you have to call MS and tell them that your motherboard or whatever died and was swapped... then they will allow it to get reactivated again.

That is the grey area. And it is possible, I was a senior technician for a computer store, and talked to MS about such situations, and they understand that and will allow it. So each End-User license goes along with 1 system that you own, even its becomes an entirely different system due to hardware upgrades or swaps.

Try it and see, but be warned... Only one license per computer is still mandatory. So no cheating because they will know... through the WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) background app.

 

Wow, that escalated quickly. Thanks for the input. I will try calling microsoft when I get my new notebook. If they say I can't do it, I can always go out and buy a copy of XP later.

 

When you purchase an OEM computer you accept the EULA of the software installed. You can purchase a retail version of either Home or Pro and when it comes time to upgrade, sell your retail version. Now there wont be a great demand of either after the release of Vista. This is called economics. Maybe in the mean time concider the use of Linux or an older, cheaper, windows like 2k.