Windows XP Home Install Disc

[AtomicFuse]

I've recently upgraded my computer so it has a new motherboard and case and gfx. I used the HDD in my old Advent PC, but now I want to format and reinstall windows XP. The problem is I only have the 'sytem restore disc' which wont work with my current set-up and plus it installs all the old motherboard and gfx card stuff so I dont want to use that!
Erm I have an official license for Windows XP (serial on the side of the old case). I was wondering what I could do to get XP on my PC! Would I have to borrow a CD then put my license in? I can't see where to buy a licene-less XP cd! Dont suppose they make those!! I don't really want to buy XP again as I'm paying for the license key which I already have!!!
Any help would be much apreciated!
Thanks,
Atomic

[ikonia]

thats the whole OEM license argument.

chaning the case/motherboard/graphics card will probably class as a new system so your OEM license will be non-transferable.

You should officially buy a new Windows XP license as I read the TOC of the license

[AtomicFuse]

Ahh thats stupid But could I in theory borrow someones install disc and then just put my license in ?

[AtomicFuse]

<Humph> I found this :'(

“An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft&#174; OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

[AtomicFuse]

Urm anyone? Can I

[jackvdbuk]

you could but i dont know bout registering it, when i formatted my hd cos it was gettin slow it said ive installed it too many times and that i need to ring windows XP.. works noy anyway

[AtomicFuse]

^ lol thats weird! Ill try it anyway - each XP Home CD isn't linked to one particualr license so it should work! Thanks

[jackvdbuk]

btw atomic, did u go for the x1800 256mb version? u bought it? and wheress the comparision between the 256 and 512?

[ikonia]

just buy a new oem version of windows XP - I've just told AND you've just read that microsoft license considers this a new computer, so by trying to reuse the license your breaking it.

The key on the side of your computer is most probably tied to a specific OEM vendor so its possible your key won't work on any CD other than that specific vendors's oem CD's

[directhex]

the licensing terms for windows explicitly forbid you from doing what you want to do - you have a non-transferrable license to windows on your original PC, where changing motherbaord counts as a new PC.

legally, under EU law, you are "allowed" to install it - but don't expect product activation to behave, even if you manage to avoid the oem-key linking problem ikonia mentionned

[UltraMagnus]

personally, i would take it up with microsoft support.

under EU law you are allowed, and last time i checked EU law still applied to M$

[directhex]

under EU law you are allowed, and last time i checked EU law still applied to M$

they'd disagree

[AtomicFuse]

Oh...right...well its about &#163;50 for a new license...
And in answer to jackvdbuk yer im going to get the 256mb because its only &#163;170 Erm i remember reading somewhere about the difefrence between 256/512 - but i mean almsot all nvidia and most ati gfx cards are 256!! So it cant be that bad!

[Kumagoro]

Using a standard install CD will work. Although if the serial you are using is new and
isnt one that needs to be activated then you need to phone them.

I did and they gave me the code no questions asked (well except is it installed on another PC)

[scrandman]

With the full retail version, you are allowed to remove it from one system and install it on another. But the retail version is twice the price.

I'm interested in the comments above about how EU law would permit this. Does anyone have a link to more info?

Although MS are a big company, they are not above the law, so I'd be interested to know if this is actually the case or not.

[alsenior]

so long as you are not installing it on 2 machine's i wouldnt see too much law breaking you paid for a licence to use one copy on one computer. you purchased the ownership to one license and no wording in microsofts eula can take that away if it went to small clams the court would probably side with you but the chances of that happening are practically zero