Windows XP OEM

letsbehonest

Can I install a copy of XP home OEM on a re -formated drive in my pc. .

jaydeeuk1

Yes, assuming the key isn't in use, although from memory you can activate the same key on more that one PC after 90 or 180 days has passed since the last activation. Or at least it did on my XP Pro OEM.

Conor_3

letsbehonest wrote: »

Can I install a copy of XP home OEM on a re -formated drive in my pc. .

Yes but only legally if the licence key used was the one that came with the PC.

windra

OEM software is sold to be distributed with PC's so you should only use them if you either built your own pc or it came with the PC.

However, it really makes no difference as the activation etc isnt any different.
My version is OEM as i built my pc and got an OEM version very cheaply from ebuyer.
Also if you do have trouble activating it, all you need to do is ring the pakistani microsoft help centre number, speak very slowly and if your lucky they will give you a manual code to activate it.

PROLIANT

Just install the OEM software, all the do's and dont's about OEM install's are myths, if you want to keep things legal buy a small peice of worthless hardware and keep the reciept, this is how you get around the silly little OEM rules, activate it online about three times max with OEM, 5 with Retail so if you need to re-use it just activate over the phone if you have any problems, just make sure you tell the computer phone system that you have not installed the software on any other PC at the same time.

DrBenway

PROLIANT wrote: »

Just install the OEM software, all the do's and dont's about OEM install's are myths, if you want to keep things legal buy a small peice of worthless hardware and keep the reciept, this is how you get around the silly little OEM rules, activate it online about three times max with OEM, 5 with Retail so if you need to re-use it just activate over the phone if you have any problems, just make sure you tell the computer phone system that you have not installed the software on any other PC at the same time.

All the do's and dont's about OEM's maybe myths for personal users but corporates beware. You wouldn't be the first person serving time for misuse of MS licenses.

PROLIANT

DrBenway wrote: »

All the do's and dont's about OEM's maybe myths for personal users but corporates beware. You wouldn't be the first person serving time for misuse of MS licenses.

If you have purchased an XP OEM licence with a small worthless piece of hardware, as my account manager at Misco encourages us to do, it is legal. Fact.

gazoakley

Lots of specialist computer retailers do the same trick - sell you an OEM software product with a keyboard or mouse (or msome other piece of low value hardware). It's legitimate - people like Micro Direct, Scan and Aria happily do it.

And its worth doing! OEM prices are much much cheaper. But you're only supposed to use it with the hardware you purchased at the same time. In theory then your Windows license is associated with a mouse! Remember though that you do need a license for each installation of Windows you have.

PROLIANT

gazoakley wrote: »

Lots of specialist computer retailers do the same trick - sell you an OEM software product with a keyboard or mouse (or msome other piece of low value hardware). It's legitimate - people like Micro Direct, Scan and Aria happily do it.

And its worth doing! OEM prices are much much cheaper. But you're only supposed to use it with the hardware you purchased at the same time. In theory then your Windows license is associated with a mouse! Remember though that you do need a license for each installation of Windows you have.

This is true, as long as the OEM sticker is on the PC for which it is used and you only have one install of 6that OEM software, then you are legal, personal home user or business user, I been doing this for a while now at work and it is perfectly legal, I wouldn't risk my own reputation in the IT industry or that of my employer if I was not sure that it was legal.