Windows XP Pro Key but no CD

[venzin]

Well right now i am sitting on my HP comp that has XP atm i am going to use the harddisc from it on my comp that i am building. Will it be possible to use the harddisc on my new comp without having to install XP again? I tried to ask friends of mine if they have the CD but none have it .

 

[tigsounds]

More bad news... You're going to need the CD.
Keep looking. When you find it, do a "repair" on Windows after the drive is in the new box.
You're building a machine, so I'll assume you know what a repair is, and of course, not to format the drive,
or you'll be using the CD to do a new install.

 

[aford10]

+1 @ Tigsounds

 

[venzin]

More bad news... You're going to need the CD.
Keep looking. When you find it, do a "repair" on Windows after the drive is in the new box.
You're building a machine, so I'll assume you know what a repair is, and of course, not to format the drive,
or you'll be using the CD to do a new install.

.... then i will almost need to use Windows 98 untill i find someone with a Windows XP CD ....

And i know what you mean by repair... FML

 

[aford10]

Your HP likely has an OEM version of windows installed on it. Even if you transferred it into a new build, it wouldn't work with the new hardware. You wouldn't be able to activate it. OEM installs are tied to the original hardware that they are installed on.

You probably have a recovery partition on that hard drive. You'd be better off restoring it to factory settings, and selling it as a complete PC with OS installed. You'll get more $$ for it.

 

[venzin]

Your HP likely has an OEM version of windows installed on it. Even if you transferred it into a new build, it wouldn't work with the new hardware. You wouldn't be able to activate it. OEM installs are tied to the original hardware that they are installed on.

You probably have a recovery partition on that hard drive. You'd be better off restoring it to factory settings, and selling it as a complete PC with OS installed. You'll get more $$ for it.

Well i found this http://www.answersthatwork.com/Download_Area/ATW_Library/WinXP_Professional/WinXP__3-Setup-How_to_SYSPREP_a_Windows_XP_PC_setup.pdf will that help my prob?

All i want to do now is just get the harddrive from the comp i am on now and use on the other one dont matter if everything is deleted as long as i can use the harddrive for my new build.

 

[aford10]

That won't work. You'd still need a windows disc. And that is geared for networks with a corporate license.

You can move that hard drive to a new build, but you'll have to purchase a copy of windows.

 

[venzin]

That won't work. You'd still need a windows disc. And that is geared for networks with a corporate license.

You can move that hard drive to a new build, but you'll have to purchase a copy of windows.

then it must be done.... but anyways i got like the damn CD-KEY on the side of my panel so why cant i just use that? Anyways if i get a CD will what i found work at all?

 

[venzin]

WELL I GOT A CD well ill be getting it from a friend tommorrow yes... ;D

 

[tigsounds]

Well i found this http://www.answersthatwork.com/Download_Area/ATW_Library/WinXP_Professional/WinXP__3-Setup-How_to_SYSPREP_a_Windows_XP_PC_setup.pdf will that help my prob?

All i want to do now is just get the harddrive from the comp i am on now and use on the other one dont matter if everything is deleted as long as i can use the harddrive for my new build.

Everything deleted? Well, new is new.


When all else fails....
It is still possible to purchase a legit Windows XP CD. If you have any legit Microsoft operating system CD, you can save money and get the XP Pro SP2 Upgrade version. It will want to see a MS operating system CD* at the start of setup and then will install XP. It does not demand an operating system be installed for upgrade, just the CD is good enough. *Windows 95, NT, 98, XP Home to upgrade to Pro. Sorry, the Windows 3.1 floppy disks don't qualify.

You may want to obtain a new OEM CD. A discussion of what makes it different is here:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?threadID=131703

As for the support issue of OEM vs Retail... support? what support?

XP for sale: (But there are other places, Google it)
http://www.nextag.com/microsoft-windows-xp-professional-pro-with-sp2-retail/search-html

 

[aford10]

The problem is OEM system builders (gateway, HP, Dell...etc), often use OEM windows versions. They are cheaper to buy, so the cost of their systems are cheaper (so they say....).

The problem comes, when a customer wants to do exactly what you're trying to do. When an OEM version of windows is activated, that activation is tied to the original hardware (namely the motherboard). If you put it on a new motherboard and try to activate it, it won't work.

Even if you borrow a CD from a friend, your activation key still won't work on a new build. Unfortunate that it is, this is the downside of OEM systems that most customers don't know about.

 

[tigsounds]

I've never purchased a new OEM CD, yet they are for sale, new. Are these drink coasters? How are they sold?

 

[venzin]

Everything has to be so damn difficult just to save some money

 

[aford10]

If you're going to buy a new copy of windows, I would suggest just getting windows 7. The price isn't that far off from XP.

I've used OEM versions before for customer builds. They can save a decent amount of $$, and allow you to put better hardware in the system. Sometimes you cut where you can.

Windows 7 64 bit OEM:
Home - $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_oem-_-32-116-754-_-Product
Pro - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_oem-_-32-116-758-_-Product
Ultimate - $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116762&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_oem-_-32-116-762-_-Product

Windows 7 64 bit retail (full version, not upgrade):
Home - $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_retail-_-32-116-716-_-Product
Pro - $260
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116717&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_retail-_-32-116-717-_-Product
Ultimate - $275
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116718&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_retail-_-32-116-718-_-Product


If you go the windows 7 route, you can use an upgrade version. However, you need an OS installed on the drive. It can't be on a bare drive.

 

[venzin]

Well i dont live in the US so it wont be cheap here in Norway. Well i just have to use my money.. if my friends doesnt have the code on the CD his giving me anyways.

 

[aford10]

Well i just have to use my money.. if my friends doesnt have the code on the CD his giving me anyways.

If your friend still has that license installed on another PC, it's illegal to install it on yours and activate it. Just a heads up.....

 

[venzin]

If your friend still has that license installed on another PC, it's illegal to install it on yours and activate it. Just a heads up.....

Yea i know that, his comp crashed so i dont think it will be a worry? Might i end up in jail if i fail?

 

[aford10]

As long as it's not installed on another PC, you're fine. I'm not up on my Norwegian law, so I don't know what would happen.

 

[lazyperson17]

As long as it's not installed on another PC, you're fine. I'm not up on my Norwegian law, so I don't know what would happen.

I believe that Microsoft has an International Copyright law that prohibits anyone in the US and internationally from using Microsoft products in such a manor. But, you are allowed to share Microsoft products with "Family members" or people dwelling in the same house/home. (just my 2 cents)

 

[aford10]

I believe that Microsoft has an International Copyright law that prohibits anyone in the US and internationally from using Microsoft products in such a manor. But, you are allowed to share Microsoft products with "Family members" or people dwelling in the same house/home. (just my 2 cents)

Yes, Microsoft has license agreement/restriction. If you violate that, it's piracy. Though, Microsoft isn't the judicial body that would enforce punishment on such a crime. That's where the Norwegian/international law would come into play.

Sure, you can share with your family....if they want to come use your PC. You still can't go installing a single copy license on each of your family members PCs.

 

[FALC0N]

Yes, Microsoft has license agreement/restriction. If you violate that, it's piracy. Though, Microsoft isn't the judicial body that would enforce punishment on such a crime. That's where the Norwegian/international law would come into play.

Sure, you can share with your family....if they want to come use your PC. You still can't go installing a single copy license on each of your family members PCs.

All of this is subject to local copyright laws. Just because MS says that an OEM license can't be moved doesn't mean that local laws allow such a provision.

 

[aford10]

OEM licenses can't be moved to new hardware because they won't activate, not because of the copyright law. The COA key won't activate once the install is transferred to new hardware.

 

[FALC0N]

OEM licenses can't be moved to new hardware because they won't activate, not because of the copyright law. The COA key won't activate once the install is transferred to new hardware.

There are ways to deal with that problem. But my point was simply that in some places, what he is proposing (transferring an OEM license to another machine) is legal. If he falls into this category, how he chooses to proceed Is his business.

 

[aford10]

That's true....the patent laws vary by country. However, the local country laws don't matter. The forum rules strictly forbid any kind of advice that infringes on copyright, trademark, or anything that promotes illegal activities (country doesn't matter).

 

[FALC0N]

That's true....the patent laws vary by country. However, the local country laws don't matter. The forum rules strictly forbid any kind of advice that infringes on copyright, trademark, or anything that promotes illegal activities (country doesn't matter).

What do you mean the country doesn't matter? What is legal in one country is illegal in another. And the differences between countries can be huge. And Microsoft IS bound by these laws if they choose to do business in said country.

If Norway has a first sale provision which applies to software, then the OP CAN transfer an OEM license just as he can move the GPU or cpu or anything else that came with that computer. It would be his right under such a provision.

Now I don't know if Norway has such a law but I encountered some evidence that they might, which is why I brought it up. And advising a poster to examine the copyright laws that apply to him is not encouraging copyright infringement or any other illegal activity.