WINDOWS XP PRO LICENSE ONLY

[llambert2]

Is anyone familiar with places where one can buy a license only version of windows XP. Is this legit? I have a user that needs a repair on their computer but the computer she has didn't come with the XP CD. It's a generic PC. Can I buy the license and then use a CD I have using the new license?

Here is the LINK I had come accross if that helps

http://www.3gplaza.com/estore/control/Computer3G/productdetails?id=24536

 

[Nelviticus]

When you buy a copy of Windows XP, pretty much all you're paying for is the licence. As long as the licence is a valid one and the media you're using matches the licence type you'll be fine - i.e. if you're using a volume licence key you'll need a CD of the volume licence edition of XP, for instance.

I could be wrong on that last point, but the licence is the bit that you really pay for. The CD itself costs virtually nothing.

Nelviticus

 

[llambert2]

I know I can't use the Dell CD's we have here on a non Dell PC. I wondered mostly about what you said though... Does the version of XP affect the ability of the license to work. I realize i can't go between the Home and the Pro versions... but within those will the license work on any CD or just certain versions of the CD. Unless someone else has actually tried this and knows for sure, it may be the only way I'll find out is to try it myself. I just don't want to charge her (even only $38) for a license she can't use and we have to go buy the full version anyway.

 

[Frank4d]

I know you can't use an upgrade key with a full version CD, and you can't use a full version key with an upgrade CD. It just doesn't work. I suspect the Academic license you linked to may have the same issue.

If the user's PC is still working and you don't know the install key, you can find it with Magical JellyBean Keyfinder. Then you can look in My Computer > Help > About to see if it is a full, upgrade, or OEM version. If the current installation is legit, it would be legal to use any compatible CD together with the original install key to reinstall XP.

 

[gpalmer711]

A Windows XP PRO Retail licence will not work with OEM and Volume Licencing(VL) Discs.

OEM Licence will not work with Retail and VL Discs.

VL Licence will not work with OEM and Retail discs.

Also the licence that is in the link you provided is a special type of licencing for Schools/Colleges etc.. only and should not be sold to the general public. Thats not to say that it will not work however you will need to have the correct media already and should really inform the user of the type of licence you are selling them.



Greg Palmer
Freeware Utilities for Windows Administrators.

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[Nelviticus]

If the user already has XP installed on her machine then she already has a licence, which is the expensive part. Assuming her version of XP is OEM then if you can get hold of an OEM disc it should work. I installed a Dell OEM copy of XP Pro on my self-built PC and it works fine (the disc came with an unused licence key and was purchased with hardware, so it was legit).

If you know that her copy of XP was OEM and you still have the key you should be able to use your Dell OEM disc. Do you have anything to lose by trying?

faq779-3401 has a good tip to avoid re-activating if you're just re-installing.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[llambert2]

Actually she is a student so the version is legal. I just don't know if what they have on their other computer is OEM or retail. So thanks for the repsonses is clears things up for me quite a bit