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XP Pro install disk -use on other machines

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peter999
peter999 Posts: 7,102 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
edited 19 October 2012 at 4:00PM in Techie Stuff
Can you use a used XP Pro Install Disk with its Activation Code on another machine ??

Someone's Pc isn't working, is asking for installation disk and may need XP Pro reinstalling.

Not sure if it just wants disk to reinstall something or will also want Activation Code then or later.

Can you install on another machine & reuse code & will it continue working permanently ??

peter999
.

Comments

  • The disc itself you can use on as many machines as you want.

    The Activation Code is the license, the "rules" for that will be dependent on what license you bought for XP. It could be single user up to unlimited users. Assuming it came with your computer or you didnt pay a lot of money for it then it is presumably single user

    If their computer "isnt working" then presumably they already have their own activation key (normally its on a sticker under the computer) which they can use
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Yes, they can reinstall using your disk and then use their own license key to reactivate.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    peter999 wrote: »
    Can you use a used XP Pro Install Disk with its Activation Code on another machine ??

    Someone's Pc isn't working, is asking for installation disk and may need XP Pro reinstalling.

    Not sure if it just wants disk to reinstall something or will also want Activation Code then or later.

    Can you install on another machine & reuse code & will it continue working permanently ??

    peter999
    .

    Brand name and full model number of the offending PC?
  • John_Gray
    John_Gray Posts: 5,843 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If/once you have installed Windows XP Pro on that machine, you may have to download and install relevant drivers for its hardware.
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 19 October 2012 at 8:46PM
    what's wrong with it? Did it come with Xp pro at purchase?
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • spannerzone
    spannerzone Posts: 1,566 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 19 October 2012 at 8:47PM
    The OP asked if he can use his install disc and his COA activation code on another PC, now it depends on the type of licence you have. OEM versions (supplied with most prebuilt PC's) prohibit you from transferring the software to another PC. It's breaking the licence agreement. If you try doing it and assuming the CD installation disc lets you install it you'll probably find it won't activate and needs a phone call to MS to activate.

    If it's a retail version of XP Pro then you are allowed to transfer to another PC but you're supposed to not use the old PC anymore with that software....so no, you're not supposed to use it as another copy.

    As Macman say, you can use your CD to install and their COA number to activate, assuming the versions are the same (both OEM, both retail, both corporate etc)

    What works and what is keeping within the licence agreement are two very different things.

    Never trust information given by strangers on internet forums
  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 13,981 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    peter999 wrote: »
    Can you use a used XP Pro Install Disk ...
    Probably
    peter999 wrote: »
    ... with its Activation Code on another machine ??
    Yes, you may not be able to register it (see below).
    peter999 wrote: »
    Can you install on another machine & reuse code & will it continue working permanently ??.
    Only if you remove it from the first machine (unless it is a multi-install licence).
  • tronator
    tronator Posts: 2,859 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    The OP asked if he can use his install disc and his COA activation code on another PC, now it depends on the type of licence you have. OEM versions (supplied with most prebuilt PC's) prohibit you from transferring the software to another PC. It's breaking the licence agreement. If you try doing it and assuming the CD installation disc lets you install it you'll probably find it won't activate and needs a phone call to MS to activate.

    It breaks that part of the license agreement which is not enforceable in the EU. Last time I checked you could do whatever you want with any software in the EU. There should be no difference between retail and OEM version. Microsoft might not like it, but it's the law in the EU for many many years now.

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/08/selling_oem_windows_copies_you/
  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 13,981 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    tronator wrote: »
    It breaks that part of the license agreement which is not enforceable in the EU. Last time I checked you could do whatever you want with any software in the EU. There should be no difference between retail and OEM version. Microsoft might not like it, but it's the law in the EU for many many years now.

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05/08/selling_oem_windows_copies_you/
    I treat licence keys as transferable.
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