Need some windows xp help

[BigD86]

Ok so i just got a new computer and put it together and the only thing that it is missing is the operating system because i dont want to shell out another 200 bucks. So on the computer that I have now, its a HP and came with windows xp preinstalled and im trying to figure out a way to get that windows onto my new computer. So if anyone out there has any ideas on what i could do i would appreciate the help.

[KJ43]

You are basically sol. Unless the installation files from are actually on the hard drive. In which case you would have to build a bootable cd from scratch. It's a big if though.

If you didn't get a Windows XP cd with your old computer, then you most likely got a "system restore disc" which would be proprietary to the older system.

Having your own copy of an os is invaluable and you should bite the bullet and buy it for yourself. You can find OEM versions much cheaper than $200.

[t. shuffle]

You can't.
The backup discs that came with your HP will only work with your HP.


edit-

KJ43 beat me to it

[nessus]

Even if it did work, it wouldn't be legal. The license for copies of MS OSs that come preinstalled on machines are limited to only being for the machine on which it was installed.

The license cannot be transferred to another machine. If you had a copy you purchased retail, it wouldn't have that limitation. You could install it any place you wanted, so long as it was installed only in one place at any one time.

[KJ43]

^^^^^

What he said.

[BigD86]

so if i got a copy of a friends windows xp and put in my cd key that came with my computer would that be legal. And also on my computer i have a c and a d drive i cant access the d drive because it has my windopws xp restore on it, is there nay way to access that drive.

[Milenko]

so if i got a copy of a friends windows xp and put in my cd key that came with my computer would that be legal. And also on my computer i have a c and a d drive i cant access the d drive because it has my windopws xp restore on it, is there nay way to access that drive.


How would that be legal?

You need to buy your OWN copy, not "borrow" a friends.

[hulksterjoe]

so if i got a copy of a friends windows xp and put in my cd key that came with my computer would that be legal. And also on my computer i have a c and a d drive i cant access the d drive because it has my windopws xp restore on it, is there nay way to access that drive.

No its not legal, No it wont work. is D a physical drive or just a patition

[BigD86]

D is a partition

[HHunt]

How would that be legal?
You need to buy your OWN copy, not "borrow" a friends.

Actually, it's legal as long as his license covers his use. (Note "my cd key".)
MS could hardly care less about how you install windows as long as you have a license. As long as you use your own, legal, license key, you're free to copy your neighbours CD, buy one on the street in bangkok (ignoring the "financing criminals"-angle), or download one. It's the natural extention of their policy that the license to use it is what you pay for. The actual media is just a practicality.

Of course, "as long as his license covers his use" is the interesting part. You can't transfer OEM licenses between computers, (un-)fair enough. The grey zones are interesting, though. How many changes before it's a new computer? Can he rebuild the old one into the new one, part by part, and stay legal?

[Mauli]

wow deep and interesting thought... i think that the fact that we are disccusing this though means that you shouldnt do it becuase its on the border line of being illegal..

[KlutZ]

I hate to say it, but, when you buy a system with a restore disk, it's almost like you're renting the OS. You'll be better off just getting an OEM copy of XP.

[Phoenix86]

wow deep and interesting thought... i think that the fact that we are disccusing this though means that you shouldnt do it becuase its on the border line of being illegal..
MS isn't going to go after a single person who is in a grey area. The fact that they make so many grey areas is their own damned fault. I say as long as you paid $$ for the OS (from HP on a new PC, or OEM off the shelf from newegg) you should be able to transfer that OS to another machine w/o hardware restrictions.

Last time I looked at the wording, any piece of equipement that is vital to the function of a PC can qualify as part of the original PC. So drive cables and case fans qualify (you try running on OS w/o them) as well as CPUs, HDDs, but not optical drives (not vital). I really should look at that info again, and do a writeup on this. I'm kinda afraid, though considering the legal aspects (IANAL).

[BigD86]

how do u know if u have an oem version of xp