Windows validation keys

[devilmyarse]

I was just wondering, I have a copy of Windows XP on this computer and a valid windows key. The OS came with the computer when i bought it many years ago but i have no install discs for it. (it's ghosted on the hard drive at setup).

If i was to go get a copy of Windows XP and install it, and then validate it with the key that i am using currently onto another computer would it be illegal?

I'm asking this becuase i don't want to be out of Windows XP when i build my next PC. (The current PC will get formatted and a copy of windows 98 will be installed on it, which is also geniune).

[noob]

Windows validation key is only valid for the one time.

The chance of it being the same is something like 1 in 600 quadrillion.

You could try it, but the validation key is to do with the install ID, when this is generated, it has something to do with, a built in algorithm, the date, the time of install, the hardware on your machine, etc. So therefore it is always different.

It isn't illegal to use it again, but it will never work again, so no point in making it illegal

[devilmyarse]

Then why can i install windows 98 with the key that comes on the manual on other computers no problems? Does XP have a different system?

[noob]

Originally Posted by devilmyarse

Then why can i install windows 98 with the key that comes on the manual on other computers no problems? Does XP have a different system?

Sorry thought you mean validation key, not Product (CD) key.

If product key fine, and xp isn't OEM you can use it on another machine.
If OEM will install, just may not activate

[devilmyarse]

Sorry i got confused! hehe!

Just checking that it wasn't conflicting with the 1 OS per machine thing. So it's fine that i use a copied version of windows xp as long as i use a valid cd key?

[MONKEYMAN]

as long as you use 1 copy of windows on 1 machine and you bought the cd key then it doesnt matter what discs you use to install it as far as i can see.

[noob]

Originally Posted by MONKEYMAN

as long as you use 1 copy of windows on 1 machine and you bought the cd key then it doesnt matter what discs you use to install it as far as i can see.

Yep

Windows XP Retail license is 1 copy on 1 machine, and can be moved.

Windows XP OEM is only 1 copy on the one machine it was initially installed on, and cannot be moved.

The disc usually says on it "For distribution with a new PC only" when it is OEM

[~* InSoM *~]

but you cant use the same key on more than one machine at one time.

[devilmyarse]

Well this key is attached to the old case of the computer, but it doesn't say anything about for distribution with a new pc only on it...

[~* InSoM *~]

that will be OEM then...

[noob]

It will be OEM.

99% of the time when you purchase a new computer with an operating system it is OEM. there is a fool proof way to check, the 3 numbers on my system as 640 will be OEM if it is OEM software

[surlyjoe]

if you call MS and tell them you are upgrading your OEM box, they will give you a new validation key for it

[devilmyarse]

Aha yes it says OEM there. I would've never thought to have looked there to find out if it was an OEM key or not.

So could i use this key on a newly built machine as long as the old machine doesn't use the same key?

Is it possible to use this OEM key on a new computer by phoning MS? Is there anyother way of doing it? Preferably Email!

[noob]

Originally Posted by devilmyarse

Aha yes it says OEM there. I would've never thought to have looked there to find out if it was an OEM key or not.

So could i use this key on a newly built machine as long as the old machine doesn't use the same key?

Is it possible to use this OEM key on a new computer by phoning MS? Is there anyother way of doing it? Preferably Email!

Nope

OEM is only for the machine it was purchased with. It cannot be transferred to any other machine.

DON'T ANYONE TELL HIM DIFFERENT!!

I work for MS and this is what the license that he agreed to at the begining states!

[MietmaN]

Originally Posted by noob

Nope

OEM is only for the machine it was purchased with. It cannot be transferred to any other machine.

DON'T ANYONE TELL HIM DIFFERENT!!

I work for MS and this is what the license that he agreed to at the begining states!

Yeah, clear, but what about upgrades? OEM version isn't meant for sealed PCs only, isn't it? The registration process is connected with sending some hardware configuration info to the MS, isn't it? To what extend can we swap parts and upgrade our machines, before we get a message (after a fresh system's installation), that the registration key has been used on another PC?

I'm asking, 'cause I've been using an OEM version of XP Home SP1 on my notebook for 2 years already (system's still alive ) - in the meantime I changed memory modules and my HDD. Will it pass the registration process and key validation, when I do a fresh installation???

[~* InSoM *~]

If you do major upgrades to a desktop, ie new mobo, processor, memory, videocard all in one, windows might recognise this as a new machine and as you try to re-validate, If this is an OEM version of windows, MS might reject the validation and tell you to buy a new boxed version on Windows.

[noob]

Usually if you replace about 3 parts, not including HDD, except if you have to reinstall Windows will require re-validation. The license is tied to the MB. So replace the MB you need a new license for OEM

[devilmyarse]

Right so new mobo, new license?

That's really sucky!

Looks like i'm gonna go n see what student offers i can get from college!

[MietmaN]

Originally Posted by noob

Usually if you replace about 3 parts, not including HDD, except if you have to reinstall Windows will require re-validation. The license is tied to the MB. So replace the MB you need a new license for OEM

Thanks for the answer - so it's a bit better than I thought

I'm not sure, if I understood you right - we can swap or replace HDDs and this won't require re-validation or the other way round? (I'm a bit sleepy this morning )

[noob]

Originally Posted by MietmaN

Thanks for the answer - so it's a bit better than I thought

I'm not sure, if I understood you right - we can swap or replace HDDs and this won't require re-validation or the other way round? (I'm a bit sleepy this morning )

You can add and remove HDD's, as long as the OS isn't installed on it. If you have to reinstall you have to re-activate (re-validate).