Windows XP OEM

[tterris]

Does buying an OS OEM mean that you can't get the service updates or any updates that might be out there?

[tdg]

No, you can still get all the updates and everything. It simply means that you don't get technical support from Microsoft, and the license is only legal for the machine you originally install it on.

[Excavator]

Ok, I have a question.
I have XP Pro, bought and paid for. Installed on my desktop.
My laptop has XP Pro on it too. I'm putting a new hard drive in and don't want to use the recovery disk.

Can I use my OEM XP Pro to install XP and use the XP reg code that came with my laptop?

[dargon]

You have two licences, I believe that is legal, however you may run into difficulties with the laptop key and the standard install cd. The other problem you might run into is drivers. They're included o nthe laptop recovery cd, no guarentees you'll be able to find them anywhere beyond that cd.

[SJConsultant]

Ok, I have a question.
I have XP Pro, bought and paid for. Installed on my desktop.
My laptop has XP Pro on it too. I'm putting a new hard drive in and don't want to use the recovery disk.

Can I use my OEM XP Pro to install XP and use the XP reg code that came with my laptop?

Per the terms of the OEM EULA the license is legally tied to the first machine you installed it on.

The other problem you may run into is when you go to activate since the OEM copy has already been activated on the desktop machine, you might not be able to activate it on the laptop.

[Met-AL]

Per the terms of the OEM EULA the license is legally tied to the first machine you installed it on.

The other problem you may run into is when you go to activate since the OEM copy has already been activated on the desktop machine, you might not be able to activate it on the laptop.

It won't be a problem since both are OEM copies and he has two Serial numbers. When he installs it on the laptop, use the serial number that came with the laptop.

[Excavator]

Yes Met-Al, one OEM copy on a CD and two(2) legal licenses.

Dargon, I have a driver CD with the laptop, seperate from the 3 recovery CD's.

We'll find out Monday if this is going to work. That's when the new hard drive gets here.

[dargon]

Dargon, I have a driver CD with the laptop, seperate from the 3 recovery CD's.

Well then you shouldn't have any problems.

[Catweazle]

It won't be a problem since both are OEM copies and he has two Serial numbers. When he installs it on the laptop, use the serial number that came with the laptop.

Beg to differ. Windows XP may not accept the laptop's CD key code when the OEM Windows CD is used.

Install XP using the CD key that accompanies the OEM CD. Then, when activating the Windows installation, use the "Change CD key code" feature to ensure that the installation is activated with the laptop's Key code.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892

[Excavator]

Beg to differ. Windows XP may not accept the laptop's CD key code when the OEM Windows CD is used.

Your 100% right Catweazle. It would not even let me enter the whole key before telling me it was invalid.
I entered my other key and will try activating tomorrow.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[Excavator]

Ok, I got curious and came back tonight to activate it.
I did as the MS page http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892 tells you to. Right up to the point where it tells you to click Telephone in step 4.
I clicked "update" and then clicked to be reminded to activate later.
Then I activated online. No problem.

But I was wondering if it really worked or if I'd have problems later on with it. So I went to the Genuine Microsoft Software (http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx?displaylang=en) page and it verified.

Looks like all is well.

[UrbN]

so, if i buy a copy of xp oem pro, can i update my computer later and it still work properly? I read a post a while back saying if you install the version on your computer, and then you upgrade your system down the road, it wont work properly, MS wont approve the registration cause it's a diff computer... Can any of you guys help me out, and tell me if this is true or not?

[hulksterjoe]

so, if i buy a copy of xp oem pro, can i update my computer later and it still work properly? I read a post a while back saying if you install the version on your computer, and then you upgrade your system down the road, it wont work properly, MS wont approve the registration cause it's a diff computer... Can any of you guys help me out, and tell me if this is true or not?

I think your thinking of downgrade rights.,.. you can buy xp PRO and load 2000 or 98 using an existing disk and PID...

[UrbN]

i guess, i wasn't sure, i'd like to get an OEM version of XP. Someone on the boards said that they couldn't get their new copy of OEM XP to work cause they upgraded parts of their system.

[Moto Guzzi]

As I understood, not all OEM's are the same and some may even change some system files to suite them, like the BIOS's.

I still think OEM is a bad idea, and no good if all this is true. That is probably why MS don't want to touch it.

Maybe that explain problems with SP2 on some machines.

XP should be XP for all, and the same for the sake of unity. One never know what buildin-spyware some OEM's may have.

:D
Can somebody who really knows clear up this OEM matter. OEM is starting to sound like a swear word for me.

[Ranma_Sao]

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. All it means in Microsoft terms is that we don't support it if you call Tech Support. If you do, you get charged. This is so that we can charge less for OEM copies, (Just like OEM hardware.) Small Businesses (Mom and Pops) would not stay in business if Microsoft only sold Retail copies, since home would add 200 bucks to the machine cost, and pro 300, where oem is 90 and pro I've seen for 150 OEM.