Question about OEM XP

[jonro]

Ok i know these questions get asked alot but i kinda need a quick answer.

I bought myself an OEM oopy of XP a few months back for my current PC but ill be getting a new box any day now and ill be giving my current one to my uncle to use, question is if i put the OEM XP on my new pc will it let me download all the updates, further more when my uncle connects to the net(with my old PC with the OEM windows on it) will both of us be allows to D/L updates or will he have to buy a new copy of XP if he needs to D/L an update?

Cheers and thanks for answering ANOTHER one of these questions.

[Lespaul20]

You are only allowed to have one activated copy installed. You will have to buy a new copy or uninstall your Uncles copy.

[jonro]

So if i don't uninstall my uncles it simply one let me download updates on the new machine?

[Ahura]

Well, it is said that yu need to active via wat/ever any time yu install a Window OS, so I guess that would mean yes, yu need a separate OS.

ALso, by one active install does that mean I can use that one CD of OS on any other system as much as I liek as long as no other has it right? I read the Term&Condition and I though once yu install it, OEM version, then that CD is bound to that system.

[glc]

It's not the CD, it's the PRODUCT KEY - i.e. license. You can us the CD in as many systems as you like as long as you have a separate product key for each machine.

[jonro]

So im guessing that when you download updates for the OS it checks for the product key.

So what qualify's as a "machine"? What if one decides to upgrade many of the components in the machine, at what point does a machine become a new machine and one have to get a new key? How does MS know what systems go with product keys?

Thanks

[glc]

You can do upgrades and reactivate with the same product key. You have to speak with an agent and answer some questions before the activation will be granted.

[ktkendall]

Originally Posted by jonro So im guessing that when you download updates for the OS it checks for the product key. So what qualify's as a "machine"? What if one decides to upgrade many of the components in the machine, at what point does a machine become a new machine and one have to get a new key? How does MS know what systems go with product keys? Thanks

It is one product key per machine, you can do as much as you like to that one machine with your present copy of XP and you are still legal. Its when you try to use that same copy, (product key), to load onto a different machine while still maintaining the original machine with the load of XP using that same product key that you are in violation. Basically every windows machine should have a different product key installed with it to be legal.

[Negeva]

Originally Posted by jonro So im guessing that when you download updates for the OS it checks for the product key. So what qualify's as a "machine"? What if one decides to upgrade many of the components in the machine, at what point does a machine become a new machine and one have to get a new key? How does MS know what systems go with product keys? Thanks

Generally, a new motherboard will be classed as a new machine. In the past I've upgraded every component (RAM, hdd, graphics) in an XP box apart from the motherboard and never needed to re-activate.

As to how M$ checks and how activation works read: LINK