Hello,

I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to know
if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license number, yet I do
not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give me an XP Pro disk,
and all I have to do is install and plug-in the license number. Is this
true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft disable XP on the old PC? (The
license number does not say OEM.)

Thanks.
T.I.

"Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:h8S2k.2781$lE3.2270@trnddc05...

> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like
> to know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can
> give me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in
> the license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft
> disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)

We need more information.

What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If
the latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk?
Upgrade disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key
(not sure what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC?
Or from the packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are
legally transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one
(using the same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact
type of XP, e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the old
one (you may simply format the hard drive). If not, it will eventually
be flagged by Microsoft if you are online with it.

I bought that old PC used, from a garage sale. Can the license number
answer these questions?

>
>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to
>> know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license number,
>> yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give me an XP
>> Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in the license number.
>> Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft disable XP on the old
>> PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>
> We need more information.
>
> What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
> installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If the
> latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk? Upgrade
> disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key (not sure
> what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC? Or from the
> packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are legally
> transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one (using the
> same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact type of XP,
> e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the old one (you may
> simply format the hard drive). If not, it will eventually be flagged by
> Microsoft if you are online with it.
>

Talal Itani wrote:
> I bought that old PC used, from a garage sale. Can the license number
> answer these questions?

Maybe but if you try to install it, you'll know for sure. If the product
key won't work, you'll find out soon enough because the install won't
accept it and won't let you proceed to install. Even if the old computer
had a generic OEM XP on it, it's surely been over 120 days so it should
activate on line, become genuine and all that jazz. To find out what
kind of XP you have, right click on My Computer/Properties and look to
see if "OEM" is in the product ID.

Now, if the XP installed on the old computer was preinstalled by the
manufacturer of the computer, you're SOL and need to buy a new copy of
XP. Or, you could download the .ISO of Ubuntu and use that. It's free
and has no licensing restrictions like Microshaft has. Check it out at
http://www.ubuntu.com/

Alias
>
>>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to
>>> know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license number,
>>> yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give me an XP
>>> Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in the license number.
>>> Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft disable XP on the old
>>> PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>> We need more information.
>>
>> What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
>> installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If the
>> latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk? Upgrade
>> disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key (not sure
>> what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC? Or from the
>> packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are legally
>> transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one (using the
>> same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact type of XP,
>> e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the old one (you may
>> simply format the hard drive). If not, it will eventually be flagged by
>> Microsoft if you are online with it.
>>
>
>

Daave wrote:
> "Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:h8S2k.2781$lE3.2270@trnddc05...
>
>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like
>> to know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
>> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can
>> give me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in
>> the license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft
>> disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>
> We need more information.
>
> What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
> installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If
> the latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk?
> Upgrade disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key
> (not sure what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC?
> Or from the packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are
> legally transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one
> (using the same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact
> type of XP, e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the old
> one (you may simply format the hard drive). If not, it will eventually
> be flagged by Microsoft if you are online with it.
>
>
OP stated that the license does not say OEM. Thus taking that into
consideration, YES, you can transfer the License to a new PC.

Just remember that if a Retail XP is used, its for one PC at a time and
the old PC must be turned off. Granted I'm sure for a day or two to
move the data files etc you can. I don't think there is a cop running
around the world making sure you don't turn the old PC on after the new
one is licensed.

Big_Al wrote:
> Daave wrote:
>> "Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net> wrote in message
>> news:h8S2k.2781$lE3.2270@trnddc05...
>>
>>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like
>>> to know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
>>> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can
>>> give me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in
>>> the license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will
>>> Microsoft disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say
>>> OEM.)
>>
>> We need more information.
>>
>> What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
>> installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If
>> the latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk?
>> Upgrade disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key
>> (not sure what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC?
>> Or from the packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are
>> legally transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one
>> (using the same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact
>> type of XP, e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the
>> old one (you may simply format the hard drive). If not, it will
>> eventually be flagged by Microsoft if you are online with it.
>>
> OP stated that the license does not say OEM. Thus taking that into
> consideration, YES, you can transfer the License to a new PC.
>
> Just remember that if a Retail XP is used, its for one PC at a time and
> the old PC must be turned off. Granted I'm sure for a day or two to
> move the data files etc you can. I don't think there is a cop running
> around the world making sure you don't turn the old PC on after the new
> one is licensed.
>

I know for a fact that if one uses Auto Update, the last activation was
over 120 ago and one does not install WGA, one can use the same XP
license on two different computers. MS doesn't like that and you're in
violation of the EULA, an EULA that MS hasn't grown the balls to take
anyone to court for because they know their EULA is unconscionable and
would hate to have a court precedent stating that fact.

Alias

Talal Itani wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to know
> if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license number, yet I do
> not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give me an XP Pro disk,
> and all I have to do is install and plug-in the license number. Is this
> true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft disable XP on the old PC? (The
> license number does not say OEM.)
>
> Thanks.
> T.I.
>

Sure, open explorer and click your C: drive (or whichever). Click the
search button at the top and 'search companion should open'. On mine I
have the "what size is it?" helper at the bottom of the search
companion, just below where I would put in the file name. Just expand
it and pick like 'large' or the 'specify'.
If MS wrote it right, it should work.

By license number, do you mean product key (five groups of five
alpha/numeric characters)? If so, it will not contain OEM even if it is an
OEM system. How did you get the product key--is it on a sticker on the
computer placed there by the computer maker? If so, you probably have an
OEM system and it cannot be transferred.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2008


"Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:h8S2k.2781$lE3.2270@trnddc05...
> Hello,
>
> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to
> know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license number,
> yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give me an XP
> Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in the license number.
> Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft disable XP on the old
> PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>
> Thanks.
> T.I.
>

Surely I do not plan to reformat the drive of the old PC and un-install XP
Pro. What happens if I just keep it, and take it off-line?

T.I.


"Alias" <iamalias@NOSPAMPLEASEgmail.com> wrote in message
news:g2gtrf$fsg$2@aioe.org...
> Big_Al wrote:
>> Daave wrote:
>>> "Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>> news:h8S2k.2781$lE3.2270@trnddc05...
>>>
>>>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to
>>>> know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
>>>> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give
>>>> me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in the
>>>> license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft
>>>> disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>>>
>>> We need more information.
>>>
>>> What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
>>> installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If
>>> the latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk?
>>> Upgrade disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key
>>> (not sure what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC?
>>> Or from the packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are
>>> legally transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one
>>> (using the same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact
>>> type of XP, e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the old
>>> one (you may simply format the hard drive). If not, it will eventually
>>> be flagged by Microsoft if you are online with it.
>>>
>> OP stated that the license does not say OEM. Thus taking that into
>> consideration, YES, you can transfer the License to a new PC.
>>
>> Just remember that if a Retail XP is used, its for one PC at a time and
>> the old PC must be turned off. Granted I'm sure for a day or two to
>> move the data files etc you can. I don't think there is a cop running
>> around the world making sure you don't turn the old PC on after the new
>> one is licensed.
>>
>
> I know for a fact that if one uses Auto Update, the last activation was
> over 120 ago and one does not install WGA, one can use the same XP license
> on two different computers. MS doesn't like that and you're in violation
> of the EULA, an EULA that MS hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to
> court for because they know their EULA is unconscionable and would hate to
> have a court precedent stating that fact.
>
> Alias

Big_Al wrote:
> Talal Itani wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like
>> to know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
>> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can
>> give me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in
>> the license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft
>> disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>>
>> Thanks.
>> T.I.
>
> Sure, open explorer and click your C: drive (or whichever). Click the
> search button at the top and 'search companion should open'. On mine I
> have the "what size is it?" helper at the bottom of the search
> companion, just below where I would put in the file name. Just expand
> it and pick like 'large' or the 'specify'.
> If MS wrote it right, it should work.
>
>
Sorry, Replied to the wrong message. Right reply, just wrong reply to.
OOPS.

> I know for a fact that if one uses Auto Update, the last activation was
> over 120 ago and one does not install WGA, one can use the same XP license
> on two different computers. MS doesn't like that and you're in violation
> of the EULA, an EULA that MS hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to
> court for because they know their EULA is unconscionable and would hate to
> have a court precedent stating that fact.
>
> Alias


Thanks. What is WGA? Did you mean to say, that Auto Update should be
turned off?

Talal Itani wrote:
> Surely I do not plan to reformat the drive of the old PC and un-install XP
> Pro. What happens if I just keep it, and take it off-line?
>
> T.I.
>
>
> "Alias" <iamalias@NOSPAMPLEASEgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:g2gtrf$fsg$2@aioe.org...
>> Big_Al wrote:
>>> Daave wrote:
>>>> "Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:h8S2k.2781$lE3.2270@trnddc05...
>>>>
>>>>> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to
>>>>> know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
>>>>> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can give
>>>>> me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in the
>>>>> license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will Microsoft
>>>>> disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say OEM.)
>>>> We need more information.
>>>>
>>>> What is the make and model of your old PC? Did it come with an OEM
>>>> installation of XP Pro, or is this something you added on your own? If
>>>> the latter, how did you do it? Generic OEM disk? Full, Retail disk?
>>>> Upgrade disk? Why do you no longer have the disk? Is this product key
>>>> (not sure what you mean by "license number") from a sticker on the PC?
>>>> Or from the packaging to the disk you no longer have? Even if you are
>>>> legally transferring a retail license from the old PC to the new one
>>>> (using the same product key and a corresponding disk -- the same exact
>>>> type of XP, e.g., Retail, Full, Pro), you need to remove it from the old
>>>> one (you may simply format the hard drive). If not, it will eventually
>>>> be flagged by Microsoft if you are online with it.
>>>>
>>> OP stated that the license does not say OEM. Thus taking that into
>>> consideration, YES, you can transfer the License to a new PC.
>>>
>>> Just remember that if a Retail XP is used, its for one PC at a time and
>>> the old PC must be turned off. Granted I'm sure for a day or two to
>>> move the data files etc you can. I don't think there is a cop running
>>> around the world making sure you don't turn the old PC on after the new
>>> one is licensed.
>>>
>> I know for a fact that if one uses Auto Update, the last activation was
>> over 120 ago and one does not install WGA, one can use the same XP license
>> on two different computers. MS doesn't like that and you're in violation
>> of the EULA, an EULA that MS hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to
>> court for because they know their EULA is unconscionable and would hate to
>> have a court precedent stating that fact.
>>
>> Alias
>
>
"Out of sight, out of mind" might apply. Its like running a red light
at 2 am. If there is no one there to see you do it, is it wrong?

We're stating facts, you can bend them any way you need. Not trying to
be sarcastic. I know where you are headed.

On Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:37:01 GMT, "Talal Itani" <titani@verizon.net>
wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like to know
> if I can use the XP Pro I already have.



If it's an OEM version, no. If it's a retail version, yes, assuming
that you remove it from old PC. You may not have it on both computers
simultaneously.


> I have the license number, yet I do
> not have the disk.


Why not? That suggests that it's an OEM version.


> My friend told me that he can give me an XP Pro disk,
> and all I have to do is install and plug-in the license number. Is this
> true,


Maybe. The two versions (your friend's CD and your Product ID) have to
match with respect to Professional vs. Home (which yours does, as you
say), OEM vs. Retail, and Full vs. Upgrade. Otherwise your number
won't work with his CD.


> is this a good idea? Will Microsoft disable XP on the old PC? (The
> license number does not say OEM.)
>
> Thanks.
> T.I.
>

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

Talal Itani wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I have an old PC with XP Pro. I am building a new PC and would like
> to know if I can use the XP Pro I already have. I have the license
> number, yet I do not have the disk. My friend told me that he can
> give me an XP Pro disk, and all I have to do is install and plug-in
> the license number. Is this true, is this a good idea? Will
> Microsoft disable XP on the old PC? (The license number does not say
> OEM.)

Put the old hard drive in the new machine as its primary drive.

Boot the old hard drive.

Use cloning software available from the manufacturer of the new hard drive
to clone the old hard drive to the new (larger) hard drive.

Remove the old hard drive and re-connect the new hard drive.

Talal Itani wrote:
>> I know for a fact that if one uses Auto Update, the last activation was
>> over 120 ago and one does not install WGA, one can use the same XP license
>> on two different computers. MS doesn't like that and you're in violation
>> of the EULA, an EULA that MS hasn't grown the balls to take anyone to
>> court for because they know their EULA is unconscionable and would hate to
>> have a court precedent stating that fact.
>>
>> Alias
>
>
> Thanks. What is WGA?

Windows Genuine Advantage. It's a program that scans your computer to
see if you're running a kosher copy of Windows.

> Did you mean to say, that Auto Update should be
> turned off?

No, set Auto Update to inform but not download or install. When it
informs, use the personalized radial button and make sure the WGA isn't
one of the updates and, if it is, untick it and, when asked, tell it to
never offer that update again. SP3, btw, does not include WGA.

Alias