Can I get a proper copy of XP from my recovery partition?

stevem999

Hi everyone, I have an aged laptop that I was about to dismantle but I know it has a copy of XP on it, but only stored in a recovery partition. I didn't get a disc of it when I bought the laptop. It is a full kosher copy and I have the licence key hologram thingy.

I've been looking at netbooks and obviously the inclusion of XP over a Ubuntu OS adds considerably to the price, so I just wondered if there is an way of getting my XP from the recovery partition and putting it on a CD/DVD, or even a memory stick so I could then go about installing it onto a cheap netbook?

Cheers

spud17

Hi everyone, I have an aged laptop that I was about to dismantle but I know it has a copy of XP on it, but only stored in a recovery partition.

This sentence implies that it is an OEM copy, so it is not legally transferable.
There will no doubt be more discussion.

Browntoa

not legally , the copy of XP is a single use , so only one PC/Laptop and will fail verification in another machine

point3

Is it a Dell? If so then all you really need is a valid licence key (printed on the COA).

Get a disk of the same version of XP as on your existing PC (e.g. Home or Pro SP2) and install on your new netbook. When it comes to validation enter in the key, the system will reject the code and tell you to ring up. Ring up, follow the instructions and you should get a new key to enter.

It seems that Dell install bulk licence versions of XP which do not require validation. The key on the COA is a unique code, but doesn't necessarily match up with what's already installed on your PC. The key will only install on one PC however.

Marty_J

stevem999 wrote: »

I've been looking at netbooks and obviously the inclusion of XP over a Ubuntu OS adds considerably to the price, so I just wondered if there is an way of getting my XP from the recovery partition and putting it on a CD/DVD, or even a memory stick so I could then go about installing it onto a cheap netbook?

Ubuntu isn't so awful.

In fact, it's very very very good. I'd definitely choose it over XP any day.

I don't see the point of foregoing a modern and up to date OS, for one that was released 8 years ago.

It's up to you of course.

Money_Grabber13579

Marty_J wrote: »

Ubuntu isn't so awful.

In fact, it's very very very good. I'd definitely choose it over XP any day.

I don't see the point of foregoing a modern and up to date OS, for one that was released 8 years ago.

It's up to you of course.

Yea but you're a Microsoft basher, so that's understandable!:D:D:D

Marty_J

Money_Grabber13579 wrote: »

Yea but you're a Microsoft basher, so that's understandable!:D:D:D

lol...well perhaps, but I'd be saying the same thing if they wanted to use Mac OS 9 instead of Ubuntu.

People should really shop around a bit more when deciding what OS to use. Otherwise, you never know what you're missing.

A "Windows or nothing" attitude doesn't really do anyone any favours.

Sometimes, it's time to move on.

RobTang

People hate change, plain and simple, if its not causing then significent problems people generanly wont change, even if change carries benifits.
remember people are more likley to get divorced rather then change bank accounts.

Ubuntu is very very good BUT its still not idiot friendly enough for people to consider switching (like netbooks have extremly cut down O/S) most home users arn't technically minded, they dont want to learn how to use another O/S for benifits they cant really see.

I like MS stuff, but even I wish XP would just roll over and die, but its just not going to happen, the customer base just wont accept being forced to change when everything is working quite nicly atm.

stevem999

Thank you for the responses everyone. It's a shame (criminal!) that OEM software is 'one-use' - if I'm removing it from a PC and want to reinstall it on another, then I'm still only using a single copy, but apparently that ain't good enough for Microsoft.

I understand what people are saying about Ubuntu, but I would areally like to stay with Windows, just for sake of ease and familiarity, if only for other family users.

Knub

stevem999 wrote: »

Thank you for the responses everyone. It's a shame (criminal!) that OEM software is 'one-use' - if I'm removing it from a PC and want to reinstall it on another, then I'm still only using a single copy, but apparently that ain't good enough for Microsoft.

I understand what people are saying about Ubuntu, but I would areally like to stay with Windows, just for sake of ease and familiarity, if only for other family users.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacutrer.

You paid for the license when you bought the PC from whoever you got it from, licensed by MS for that computer and specifically it's hardware.

It's not "one use" either, if you are keeping the majority of your hardware and need to wipe/clean install the system using the recovery partition, it's perfectly allowed. (IIRC, upto twice before you might have to call MS to explain why you are doing it).

If you wanted a copy of XP that could could use on any computer you should have purchased a retail copy The fact that the old computer had an OEM probably saved you £50-£100 in licensing costs when you originanly paid for it

I would agree with keeping along the lines of Windows for the sake of useability especially if anyone is using the computer other than a no lifer. Recommending Linux to average users really isn't good form, mainly because for the majority of people its a huge pain in the backside!