If I build a new rig with an old hdd, can I dodge paying for an OS disc?

[DarkPacMan77]

title says it well...

basically, i have an old (crappy) IDE HDD and don't want to pay for an OS. It has XPhome service pack 1 if that matters any one little bit.

Any new rig I build will have a new SATA HDD, but I am trying my damndest to cut costs.

thanks

[jayb1234]

If the Windows on that hard drive is a copy that you bought at retail and you are not going to use it on the old machine anymore, yes.

If it came preinstalled on a Dell, Hp or other name brand machine, no.

[Jester]

It won't work simply because you are changing more than 4 pieces of hardware. XP looks at what hardware the system is using. This is why hot swaping will only work on identical machines. You will have to buy a new OS. XP home has come way down in price. Look for it on new egg. It's about 89 dollars last i checked. YOu can also look for a better deal on pricegrabber.com, but be weary of who you buy from. Read the user reviews.

[nicolivolkov]

If I build a new machine can I use the install disc of XP pro that i got with my laptop on my new build, to avoid buying a new OS?

[minsonngo]

No, one license per installation I believe.

[glc]

Jester: That only means it has to be reactivated. You don't have to buy a new copy - unless it's a restore disk or a bios locked CD like what comes with a Dell.

Nicoli: Sure - if you reformat the laptop and don't reinstall Windows. This assumes it's a real XP CD and not a restore disk.

Bottom line - ONE copy of XP, ONE computer ONLY.

[DarkPacMan77]

dang... not advocating it... but I see why people are pirates now... it just is more logical

eh... some day ppl will realize that 90 for an os disk is just too much to pay every new build

[sdkfz]

Originally Posted by DarkPacMan77 dang... not advocating it... but I see why people are pirates now... it just is more logical eh... some day ppl will realize that 90 for an os disk is just too much to pay every new build

Most software purchased has a license to use it, you do NOT own it just a license to use the code on one and sometimes (rarely) more than one PC.

Yes people have decided they do not want to buy an OS for every computer - that is why Linux exists.

The limit of one PC per Win OS has always been there, it was not enforceable and so people got into the habit of using their one copy on as many machines as they liked

People are pirates because of two main reasons, 1) They can not or are unwilling to afford it, or 2)they want to 'stick it to the man' ' get something for nothing' 'beat the system' and 'show them who is boss'. Final judgement on that I leave to higher powers.

[glc]

If you buy a RETAIL version of XP, you may transfer it to as many new builds as you want - as long as you REMOVE it from the old machine each time.

[chuck4456]

The Microsoft folks that I have talked with are usually pretty good about assigning me a new activation number (when it comes to that) when I perform swappage. Of course, I own mine.

[clroberts]

Originally Posted by nicolivolkov If I build a new machine can I use the install disc of XP pro that i got with my laptop on my new build, to avoid buying a new OS?

The way Microsoft has implemented purchases of OS's is that you do NOT have to buy a brand new operating system if you want to run the same operating system on another PC. The only thing that is required is that you purchase a License from Microsoft. This can be purchased at Best buy or other places. This is much much much cheaper than just going out and blowing a wad of cash on a new OS.

[kev7555]

As GLC noted, you do not have to buy a new license or buy anything else. If you have an XP OEM disk, you simply install it on the new machine. If it has been a long period of time, it will likely activate. If you simply move the drive to the new build, it will not work immediately because of all the hardware changes. You will have to re-install windows.

Even if it does not activate, all you have to do is call Microsoft on the number from the activation screen and tell them what you have done. They will likely generate a new product ID and activate it for you.

Keep in mind that you are required to un-install it from any previous machines.

-Kev

[jayb1234]

Kev you are misreading the post.

If you have a manufacturers OEM or restore disk, you can't reuse it on another build.

The license only covers the original machine and is not transferable.

[glc]

clroberts: The price that is charged for a new license is about the same as if you bought a whole new OEM copy from an online vendor. OEM is less than half of the price of a full retail copy, and about the same as an upgrade version.

What people are forgetting is this - M$ recently changed the licensing terms for OEM versions - now you may NOT transfer it to a new computer. How this plays out in the real world, I don't know. I haven't tried to reactivate an OEM Windows on a new computer recently. I know it used to be simple, as long as it hadn't been activated less than 120 days prior.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by glc clroberts: The price that is charged for a new license is about the same as if you bought a whole new OEM copy from an online vendor. OEM is less than half of the price of a full retail copy, and about the same as an upgrade version. What people are forgetting is this - M$ recently changed the licensing terms for OEM versions - now you may NOT transfer it to a new computer. How this plays out in the real world, I don't know. I haven't tried to reactivate an OEM Windows on a new computer recently. I know it used to be simple, as long as it hadn't been activated less than 120 days prior.

They dont seem to be enforcing this.
I just rebuilt a machine at the office, only thing that stayed original was the floppy drive and the case.
I re-used the OEM XP that I had used 3 years ago on the old machine, it prompted me to call Microsoft, I called them, some guy in India gave me new activation key and its all good.

[glc]

That's a 3 year old CD. Have you tried doing that with an OEM CD originally purchased and activated recently?