Thank you, Rock.

I didn't know that rule. Probably I was so excited when I got my new
computer that I missed that detail in the fine (or not so fine) print. OK,
not that I like it, but that's not the issue.

Then we are talking about OEM in my case. My worry is still the same.

Even if keeping the same computer, parts of the hardware may be changed in
the future; and the original+genuine+legal+wonderful Windows XP software will
have to be reinstalled. I still think that Microsoft will be fooled as soon
as some serial number doesn't match (let's say for example I changed my hard
disk or the motherboard). Microsoft will think that I am installing illegally
and will take every effort to make my life impossible (not that it's very
easy as of now) even if I paid for this OEM version when buying my computer.
If Microsoft were error-free I would sign the agreement immediately. But I
know by many frozen blue screens and other unforgettable experiences that
dear Microsoft sometimes makes mistakes. So, I still have the same fear
before signing the agreement because I want to feel as free in the future as
I do now. I don't see the interests of the consumer reflected in the
agreement.

This "what-if-I-reinstall" is still my concern. Can someone from Microsoft
reassure me everything will be fine?

"Rock" wrote:

> "Luis Med" <Luis Med@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
> >I have legal Windows software. I have not yet accepted the WGA agreement,
> > because so far I don't know what will happen in the future. If I agree to
> > WGA
> > at the present time, Microsoft will link my present software to my present
> > computer. Let's say that I buy a new computer tomorrow because what was my
> > present computer has a hardware problem. I still have the Windows XP
> > original
> > software. It won't be used anymore in my old computer and I want to
> > install
> > it in my new computer. My fear is that Microsoft will think that the
> > computer-software legal link has been broken and will deny service to my
> > new
> > computer with the old software. Please tell me if my concern is right or
> > wrong.
>
> The issue is not whether your copy is legal, the issue is whether the XP is
> OEM or retail. A copy of XP can be moved from one computer to another if it
> is a retail copy (as long as it's first uninstalled from the computer it's
> on). If the copy on the first computer is OEM, by it's license it's tied to
> that first computer and cannot be moved to another one. This is not a WGA
> issue.
>
> --
> Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]