Transfering Windows XP OS - OEM

So I just bought Windows XP MCE 2005 w/ UR2 for my laptop.
I was planning to fix an old desktop to give my son and I think it has Windows 98.
My personal desktop has Windows XP Home upgrade - Retail.

I was thinking of getting Windows MCE for my desktop and just install XP Home on my sons desktop.
(My desktop is in my livingroom next to my TV set so thinking maybe convert it to a media center)

IF I install Windows XP MCE 2005 - OEM in my desktop, I should still be able to reinstall it if I decide to upgrade my desktop a few months later?
(If I upgrade I will replac the MB, CPU, RAM and GPU).

IF I decide I actually do not like Windows XP MCE on my laptop AFTER I installed it, I should be able to install my XP Home on it and reinstall XP MCE in my desktop?

I was thinking of instead of rebuilding an old desktop for my son, i would just get a cheap E-machine that has Windows XP MCE and transfer my desktops XP Home to my sons machine and put XP MCE from my sons machine to my desktop.
Will this be possible?

kinda confused in this whole OEM thing

 

Here's the golden rule of XP: One copy, one license. If you have a retail version, you can install it one computer. If you want, you can remove it from that computer and install it on another computer. One computer at a time, unless you have a volume license.

If you purchase a computer that comes with XP preinstalled, you may be bound by an agreement that states you can only use that XP on that computer. Dell has such an agreement.

Always read and abide by the End User License Agreement (EULA).

 

Ok.

<Scratches buying a PC from Dell>

So I bought Windows XP MCE 2005 w/ UR2 for my Laptop and just received it today.
I bought it from Newegg.
I have since found out that ALL Windows XP MCE 2005 are ONLY OEM Software, none of them are retail

I have seen the Systems Builder License and confused on the technical and legal print.
But I did just read up more on the Newegg Software Return Policy for the specific item and this si what it said:

I guess there goes my plan to buy a XP MCE Desktop an transfer that OS to my desktop.

But if I do install Windows XP MCE OEM in my Main Desktop, and later on upgrade the hardware in it ... would that technically break the EULA? makign my copy of XP MCE invalid?

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of OEM operating system software. Honestly, I'm surprised to see MCE for sale. You'll never find a retail version because Microsoft intends for MCE to be sold only with true media center PCs.

Once you install your OEM version of MCE, you are supposed to attach the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to the PC. If you move the OS to another PC, you are violating the EULA.

Fun, huh?

 

But upgrading the PC that has the OEM OS is not braking EULA right?

 

Correct. If upgrading violated the EULA, I'd be guilty as sin!

 

I wouldn't worry about it in the real world, one license one computer still applies. I have been recycling the same copy of XP Home OEM through 3 new builds in about 5 years. I have had to call the automated center and MS on a serious change but it's not that big of a hassle.

You are not a person producing systems for resell and as long as you keep to the rule of one comp, one OS for it then you are fine provided you bought the OEM OS like you did from a reseller such as newegg. Above posters are right though Dell and others have a deal with MS that the OS that comes with thier system can only be installed on that system, hence why they get the OS so cheap.

Oh edit: I've upgraded all the way from a Iwill266 mobo with a Tbird 1200mhz and a TNT Ultra (self built) to my Clevo 900k (9750) notebook 4400x2, go7800gtx, 2 gig RAM w/o a problem from Microsoft......... I would not sweat it.

 

Thanks.
Didn't want to buy a $100 OS and find out I can no longer use it in a few months .
or worst, buy a cheap $300 PC only to have my plan backfire on me

I think for now, I am going to see how old and fixable this old desktop is that I am going to give my son.
If I can salvage it by just giving it my XP Home OS, then I will just do that.
If its too obsolete and not even able to connect to the internet and play some web based games and his Lego Star Wars PC game, then I may as well bit the bullet and just buy him a cheap $300 desktop.

 

OEM = bound to the motherboard the product was first activated on. That simple. If you change the MoBo, you will need to call MS to get an activation code.

If you want a license you can transfer among multiple computers/motherboards, buy retail.

 

Will calling MS for an activation code cost me money or just time?

 

Just time.

 

In that case, Im buying a second copy of Windows XP MCE 2005 w/ UR2 for my desktop