Switching OS, where the be any problems with M$

[Strider]

I'm in the process of rebuilding a computer, but I don't want to put Windows 2000 on that computer. I want to put Windows XP Home Edition on that computer; however, I'm currently using it on the computer that I'm currently on. I want to take off Windows XP Home Edition on this computer and put Windows 2000 on it, then put Windows XP Home Edition on the other computer.

I have a couple of questions :

Would it be better to wait to call Microsoft first, explain what I'm doing?

Or

Should I waint until I install Windows 2000 on this computer and then install Windows XP on the other computer, then call Microsoft on the problem (Which I most likely will be force to do anyway)?

One final question, would it be better to do a fresh install on the computer that has Windows XP or could I do an upgrade on it?

[Nuclear Krusader]

Fresh install.

[Tuf]

No reason to call in advance. If the XP is has been installed for over 120 days it might not make you call anyway.

You won't be able to do an upgrade on either one. Home Edition will not upgrade 2000, You need Pro to do that. No version of 2000 will uprade any version of XP. Besides you'll be happier in the long run with clean installs on both computers.

[MaXimum SMOKE]

Stop me if I'm wrong folks, but strictly interpreting M.S.'s licensing agreement, isn't it illegal to move one of these O.S's once it is installed on a given machine? I thought that was the whole idea when they made the OEMs mount the C.O.A. sticker to the machine physically. Technically, even a screwdriver shop that builds generic P.C.s must sticker the C.O.A. to the case to be in compliance. If I'm interpreting the end user licensing agreement correctly, you can upgrade components in the case, but that is where your ability to make M$ legal changes ends.... If I understand the issue correctly, that is one of the 'grey areas' MS wanted to clear up with activation????

[Strider]

Originally posted by MaXimum SMOKE Stop me if I'm wrong folks, but strictly interpreting M.S.'s licensing agreement, isn't it illegal to move one of these O.S's once it is installed on a given machine? I thought that was the whole idea when they made the OEMs mount the C.O.A. sticker to the machine physically. Technically, even a screwdriver shop that builds generic P.C.s must sticker the C.O.A. to the case to be in compliance. If I'm interpreting the end user licensing agreement correctly, you can upgrade components in the case, but that is where your ability to make M$ legal changes ends.... If I understand the issue correctly, that is one of the 'grey areas' MS wanted to clear up with activation????

I hope that isn't the case, I can't see why Microsoft would get so picky. I have purchased both of these Operating Systems, I just don't want Windows XP home edition on this computer, for this computer is the better of the two and I want to use this computer more as a business computer.

[Tuf]

The only versions that are tied to a particular computer are the ones that come from from a computer maker and the discs are marked as such. Even an oem copy that you can buy can be moved. As is true with any retail version of XP. The limitation is that it can only be installed on one computer at a time. I have moved copies from a clients old computer to their new one numerous times. I have never had them offer any kind of resistance.

[MaXimum SMOKE]

The only link I've found so far is
http://www.microsoft.com/education/?ID=OSLicense

They have a downloadable word doc there in the middle of the page. It is marked:

For further details on operating system licensing, please see the downloadable Q&A (Word doc, 48KB).

Items 9 & 10 make a distinction between Full-Packaged Product from a retail store, and OEM, but but appear to treat all OEM the same. Item 10 says:

"Current OEM licenses are not transferable from one machine to another. The software cannot be moved from PC to PC, even if the original PC it was installed on is no longer in use. This is true for all OEM software – operating systems and applications."

So, your guess is as good as mine, what they do in practice. That's just what they wrote there.

[Tuf]

I have seen that in the past. My M$ rep and my past experience tells me that applies to discs that come with a computer. The generic oem software that some people buy from retailers isn't coded the same way.