Windows 7 - HP OEM Key on other system

ZootHornRollo

Hi,

My Dad bought an new HP PC as a second computer that came with Windows 7 (OEM). However his main PC is still running XP (Retail). He would like to use windows 7 on his main PC (older but higher spec self build) and XP on the second (new HP) PC.

The activation key for the HP PC has not yet been used so could i install Windows 7 on his main PC and use the OEM activation key that came with the HP?

I can then install XP on the new HP.

Any help appreciated.

hobbitme

"Restrictions of specific license types may limit the foregoing. OEM versions of Windows XP are licensed together with the hardware with which they are purchased, as an entity, and such a copy may not be moved to a different computer. Also, other specific license types (e.g., Academic licenses) are handled in different ways. These aren’t a WPA issue per se, but rather an issue of the license for that purchase, and therefore outside the scope of this discussion of WPA.

There are two versions of OEM Windows XP systems. One can be purchased separately, with qualifying subsidiary hardware, and installed with that hardware to an existing machine, to which it becomes bound. The software may be reinstalled and reactivated indefinitely as with a retail system as long as it is still on the original machine. It may not be transferred to a different computer. It is activated as described above, but if it were installed to hardware seen as not substantially the same, the activation would be refused as falling outside the license.

In the other OEM form, the system is provided pre-installed by a major supplier. Instead of activation, the system is ‘locked’ to the BIOS on the motherboard. The validity of this lock is checked at boot. As long as this is satisfied, other hardware may be changed freely, but any replacement motherboard must be for a compatible one supplied by the original maker.

If a BIOS-locked system is installed to a board where the lock fails, it enters a normal Activation process at startup. However, beginning 1 March 2005, the Product Key supplied on a label by the computer manufacturer, and used for the initial installation, will not be accepted for activation. A new copy of Windows XP, with a license allowing installation on a different machine, will be needed. This means that any replacement motherboard (or upgrade to its BIOS) must be supplied by the original maker, who will ensure the lock is maintained."

If you have an installation CD then you can install it on the older PC only.

gaming_guy

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ZootHornRollo

gaming_guy wrote: »

No. The windows 7 key is only for use on the PC to which the COA is attached.

i could move that!

gaming_guy

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JJ_Egan

The only movement that works is to take out the hardware items that make up the hardware signature and fit them in another case . Usually Motherboard + Hard Drive + Video .
The case the keyboard the monitor are not part of the OEM signature .

jje

ZootHornRollo

i'll just leave as is. Don't want to screw up the new license for of W7.

A number of years back i had a dell pc. I took the HD and the CPU and transfered them to a new Case, Mobo & RAM and was able to install and activate XP on it using the Dell OEM CD and COA.