Moving XP onto a different computer.

I have Windows XP Professional on my current computer, which is next to worthless after about a year (Dell...never again). I'm buying a new laptop, and some of the builders do not require you to have an OS pre-installed. I already own this software, and have no intention of doing anything with my old computer besides recycling it. Would it be terribly difficult or even possible to move XP Pro onto a new machine?

 

If you have a non-OEM version of Windows, simply uninstall it from your old system and install it on your new system and activate it. You are stuck if you have an OEM version however.

 

If it's OEM (i.e. it probably has the Dell logo on the disk and what not), then yes, you can't move it to the new one. You (supposedly anyway) save some money by getting the OEM version, which is why you're not allowed to move it.

Some people have been able to circumvent this much-hated rule by installing the OS on the HDD that came with the old laptop and moving the HDD with the OS on it to the new laptop. That probably goes against the license agreement though so we can't recommend it.

Malia

 

That is definitely against the license agreement with the OEM vendor, but that also results in a can-o-worms worth of potential problems. XP really doesn't like sudden massive changes of hardware (CPU, Chipset, Mobo, etc). Usually it just doesn't work as per most of the reports I've read.

 

My OS came installed, with no disc. It has a recovery portion on the hard drive. I have heard of folks locating that portion and burning their own discs, but the whole process seemed fishy, with a lot of potential complications.

I figured it was worth a shot to see if anyone had done this sucessfully though.

 

In all likelihood you can't do it, legally that is.

 

The OEM copy of Windows you got from Dell is actually licensed to your old notebook. Unfortunately it's non-transferrable. A retail copy is licensed to you to and can be used on one system at a time--so transfers are allowed with those.

 

You can obtain a non-OEM disc of Windows (from a friend or family member) and use the key from your current Windows installation and install with the non-OEM disc. As long as you remove Windows from the HDD of you old notebook, recycle that notebook (not sell), and throw away the OEM disc, then it should be legal right? I've never done this before, but I don't see why it would be a problem. Maybe I'm wrong though.

 

most OEM instal disks are bios locked, meaning it wont work on any other makers computer, hardware locked, creates a unique # based upon the product key and hardware. This help prevent pirating but doesnt totally stop it. The best advise, if you can wait a few months, buy Vista. GL

 

The thing about OEM versions of Windows is that they only want it to be used on one system. The license is only good for the system that it is initially installed on. It is non-transferable.

Now, if you spend a little more and get yourself a retail version you have a little more flexibility. You can then uninstall Windows from your old system and then install it on your new one. But even then you are only allowed to use it on one system at a time. There are versions with multiple licenses, etc. as well.

What you're suggesting is an attempt at circumventing the OEM's EULA. I don't think it would work anyway, as the key would not be reusable so you probably couldn't install it anyway. Either way it would be illegal as far as the license goes.

 

Oh, Ok. I just thought you could use any Windows XP key with any disc with the same version the key is for. Apparently I was wrong.