I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
next few weeks.

Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
onto the desktop? I know it's technically possible.

No. Legally OEM versions are tied forever to the first system they are
installed on. If you remove it from the laptop you need to store it's
restore discs until such time that you sell or otherwise transfer the laptop
then they go with it.

--

Xandros


"Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:%23np26ODiIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
> WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
> next few weeks.
>
> Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
> onto the desktop? I know it's technically possible.

Avi Greenbury wrote:
> I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
> WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
> next few weeks.
>
> Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
> onto the desktop? I know it's technically possible.

If it's a branded copy of an OEM XP, technically, it won't work because
it's tied to the lap top. If it's a generic OEM XP, you can do it but
Microsoft won't like it and you'll be committing a civil offense by
going against the EULA. Of course, being as the EULA is unconscionable,
Microsoft hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to court so nothing will
probably happen if you use the generic OEM XP on your desktop.

Alias

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:35:12 -0700, Avi Greenbury
<avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote:

> I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
> WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
> next few weeks.
>
> Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
> onto the desktop?


No. The biggest disadvantage of an OEM version (which is what you have
if it came with the computer) is that its license ties it permanently
to the first computer it's installed on. It can never legally be moved
to another computer, sold, or given away (except with the original
computer).


> I know it's technically possible.



It very likely is not even possible. Most OEM copies of Windows these
days are BIOS-locked to the motherboard of the computer they came
with, and won't install on another, unless its identical to the
original.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

The OP asked if he could move it legally. He cannot.

"Alias" <alias@aliasmail.com> wrote in message news:frltj3$705$1@aioe.org...
> Avi Greenbury wrote:
>> I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
>> WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
>> next few weeks.
>>
>> Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
>> onto the desktop? I know it's technically possible.
>
> If it's a branded copy of an OEM XP, technically, it won't work because
> it's tied to the lap top. If it's a generic OEM XP, you can do it but
> Microsoft won't like it and you'll be committing a civil offense by going
> against the EULA. Of course, being as the EULA is unconscionable,
> Microsoft hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to court so nothing will
> probably happen if you use the generic OEM XP on your desktop.
>
> Alias

"Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:%23np26ODiIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
> WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
> next few weeks.

OEM license lives and dies with the PC/laptop.

> Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
> onto the desktop?

It's not transferable

> I know it's technically possible.

It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk to
work only on their products.

It IS technically possible unless the OEM installation of Windows used SLA
technology (bios locking). In that case the (SLA) OEM cd cannot be used to
install Windows on a different machine. System Builder OEM cds (like the
ones you buy on NewEgg) are OEM cds that WILL install on any computer, not
just the one it was used on originally.

"John" <a> wrote in message news:ejW5XSHiIHA.4344@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
> "Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
> news:%23np26ODiIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> I've recently bought a laptop which came with WinXP Pro. I don't want
>> WinXP Pro on it, but I'd like it on a desktop I'll be building in the
>> next few weeks.
>
> OEM license lives and dies with the PC/laptop.
>
>> Legally, am I allowed to uninstall it from the laptop and reinstall it
>> onto the desktop?
>
> It's not transferable
>
>> I know it's technically possible.
>
> It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk to
> work only on their products.
>

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:19:29 -0700, John wrote:

> "Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
> news:%23np26ODiIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> I know it's technically possible.
>
> It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk
> to work only on their products.

I've done it already.

FWIW, I've not yet found a PC on which a Dell setup disk wont work.

"Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:u$TJyTIiIHA.4744@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:19:29 -0700, John wrote:
>
>> "Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23np26ODiIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
>>> I know it's technically possible.
>>
>> It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk
>> to work only on their products.
>
> I've done it already.
>
> FWIW, I've not yet found a PC on which a Dell setup disk wont work.

Dell normally locks their setup CD to work on their system. I don't know why
yours isn't. Ok so it's technically doable.

John wrote:

> "Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
> news:u$TJyTIiIHA.4744@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
>>On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:19:29 -0700, John wrote:
>>
>>
>>>"Avi Greenbury" <avismailinglistaccount@googlemail.com> wrote in message
>>>news:%23np26ODiIHA.3512@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>
>>>>I know it's technically possible.
>>>
>>>It's not technically possible either. PC maker limits their setup disk
>>>to work only on their products.
>>
>>I've done it already.
>>
>>FWIW, I've not yet found a PC on which a Dell setup disk wont work.
>
>
> Dell normally locks their setup CD to work on their system. I don't know why
> yours isn't. Ok so it's technically doable.
>
>

IIRC, bios-locking of Dell OEM Windows XP cdrom's started only with
Windows XP-SP2 discs.