Can I Transfer Genuine Windows Xp To A New Notebook?

[Mobi]

My Dell notebook is creaking with age, and I will shortly scrap it and buy a new one.

I have genuine WindowsXP installed on the Dell, and have the installation disk.

Can I use this copy of Windows XP on a new Notebook, probably an Acer, or is it non transferable?

Thanks for any Info

Mobi

[harrry]

My Dell notebook is creaking with age, and I will shortly scrap it and buy a new one.

I have genuine WindowsXP installed on the Dell, and have the installation disk.

Can I use this copy of Windows XP on a new Notebook, probably an Acer, or is it non transferable?

Thanks for any Info

Mobi

Short answer is no.

You xp will be an OEM copy. THese are supplied at a low price to equipment manafacturers or system assemblers and the licence applies only to the PC on which they were originally installed by the manafacturer. With OEM copies for any problems you have you have to refer to the manafacturer not microsoftas the manafacture has contracted to take that responsibility and Microsoft have no futher responsibilities.

If you bought the full copy at a shop and then installed it (not student or academic or OEM) it is transferable.

[monty]

My Dell notebook is creaking with age, and I will shortly scrap it and buy a new one.

I have genuine WindowsXP installed on the Dell, and have the installation disk.

Can I use this copy of Windows XP on a new Notebook, probably an Acer, or is it non transferable?

Thanks for any Info

Mobi

Nope, non transferable as it will be a Dell owned OEM install!

Even replacing a main part (e.g. mainboard, especially if it was a newer/different model) after it was damaged can create the need for a lengthy phone call with MS$ explaining that is is the same machine with a repaired part in it!

A new XP pro OEM will set you back 5900 Baht.

[harrry]

Many of the newer notebooks will not work with XP as drivers are not available. Check carefully if you insist on doing this what I would consider retrograde step.

[richardshane]

I think if you were to get a copy of windows xp (not a manufacturers install disk) from a friend andinstall it on your new PC then enter the license info from your old pc you should not have any problems, it will not work if you use the installation disk in a different model notebbok. After installation do a search for drivers required by your new notebook...I've done this and had no problems. Good Luck.

[sibeymai]

Sorry Harry and monty, but my experience is different.

When I first came to Thailand in 2004 I brought with me an IBM Thinkpad R51 which came with a Windows XP preload, ie. XP was already loaded and there was no installation disk provided. To reload XP I needed to run the preload installation program from the protected partition on the hard disk and the laptop was then as it came from the factory again.

The R51 finally died in 2009 a year after it survived a 100km/h car accident (it will work again if I replace the main board...about 5,000bt at Pantip). I bought a new Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpad R61 with no preloaded software. I loaded Windows XP using an installation disk for a legal copy of XP which I bought for my home desktop computer in 2007. However, I entered the product/license key from the now dead R51 laptop.

The Microsoft website authenticated the key and considers that the installation on the R61 is a genuine copy of XP, which it is albeit running on a different laptop than it was originally supplied.

I did not expect this. I expected the website to reject the authentication. I can only assume that it might have got through because Microsoft couldn't tell the difference between the 2004 R51 and the 2009 R61 laptops. Alternatively, when the R51 is fixed maybe Microsoft will reject the XP installation on that laptop as a copy. Haven't tried this yet so don't know, but I'm interested to find out.

So Mobi, my advice would be to install XP and enter the product/license key from the old laptop and see what happens.

[Guest Reimar]

Sorry Harry and monty, but my experience is different.

When I first came to Thailand in 2004 I brought with me an IBM Thinkpad R51 which came with a Windows XP preload, ie. XP was already loaded and there was no installation disk provided. To reload XP I needed to run the preload installation program from the protected partition on the hard disk and the laptop was then as it came from the factory again.

The R51 finally died in 2009 a year after it survived a 100km/h car accident (it will work again if I replace the main board...about 5,000bt at Pantip). I bought a new Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpad R61 with no preloaded software. I loaded Windows XP using an installation disk for a legal copy of XP which I bought for my home desktop computer in 2007. However, I entered the product/license key from the now dead R51 laptop.

The Microsoft website authenticated the key and considers that the installation on the R61 is a genuine copy of XP, which it is albeit running on a different laptop than it was originally supplied.

I did not expect this. I expected the website to reject the authentication. I can only assume that it might have got through because Microsoft couldn't tell the difference between the 2004 R51 and the 2009 R61 laptops. Alternatively, when the R51 is fixed maybe Microsoft will reject the XP installation on that laptop as a copy. Haven't tried this yet so don't know, but I'm interested to find out.

So Mobi, my advice would be to install XP and enter the product/license key from the old laptop and see what happens.

You're (only) partly right about about your experiences.

If you install an HP Laptop XP on an Compaq Laptop, you'll be able to use is as legit version because the Software ID, which differs from the Installation Key, will show that those machine running on an HP and NOT a Compaq. Same is happens with the Lenovo Laptop of the Thinkpad Series (and the R61 is a Thinkpad) which is recognized by MS as IBM!

If you use the IBM Key on an Dell, it wouldn't work because the Software ID will show that's an Dell and NOT an IBM!

Mobi will net be able to activate the XP with the Dell Key on his new Laptop!

But it's a test to try: Install XP on the new Laptop, go to activate online and if that not works directly, use the activation method by phone via the Toll Free number. You will need to key in the Software ID, which you will find on the General Page of the Device Manger, and wait to get the new confirmation ID. You may even need to talk some staff and they will ask you some question which you should answer like: Changed the MB because of power burn's; Had the Laptop to repair to replace the MB and don't know what THEY had done! Or similar like that. And you can have luck and they give you a new ID for to key in.

It's a try but maybe worth to do!

Cheers.

[monty]

Sorry Harry and monty, but my experience is different.

When I first came to Thailand in 2004 I brought with me an IBM Thinkpad R51 which came with a Windows XP preload, ie. XP was already loaded and there was no installation disk provided. To reload XP I needed to run the preload installation program from the protected partition on the hard disk and the laptop was then as it came from the factory again.

The R51 finally died in 2009 a year after it survived a 100km/h car accident (it will work again if I replace the main board...about 5,000bt at Pantip). I bought a new Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpad R61 with no preloaded software. I loaded Windows XP using an installation disk for a legal copy of XP which I bought for my home desktop computer in 2007. However, I entered the product/license key from the now dead R51 laptop.

The Microsoft website authenticated the key and considers that the installation on the R61 is a genuine copy of XP, which it is albeit running on a different laptop than it was originally supplied.

I did not expect this. I expected the website to reject the authentication. I can only assume that it might have got through because Microsoft couldn't tell the difference between the 2004 R51 and the 2009 R61 laptops. Alternatively, when the R51 is fixed maybe Microsoft will reject the XP installation on that laptop as a copy. Haven't tried this yet so don't know, but I'm interested to find out.

So Mobi, my advice would be to install XP and enter the product/license key from the old laptop and see what happens.

Tried this as well and in my case didn't work at all. Apparently there are different sets of serials for the different kind of windows, i.e. a serial for an OEM version won't work on a full version etc. That's what happened in my case, serial simply didn't get accepted...

Very well possible it will work if the windows version on the old laptop is the same as the one on the CD you use to install.

And in another instance I got a blown up mainboard, replaced it along with a new video card (both different brands/models then the one blown up), and subsequently failed validation. Lengthy call with MS$ saw this problem resolved without having to pay anything...

Anyway, no harm to try, worst case you end up with a winXP version which fails authentication, you then click on resolve now and you'll get directed to a page where you can pay MS$ 5885 Baht (or there abouts) by credit card after they will e-mail a new serial, and snailmail a CD.

[Guest Reimar]

Or it's maybe a good time for to move on to Windows 7!

Have nearly 1 Year FREE for testing, it's original as well and will for sure run on your new laptop!

Cheers.

[phaethon]

There may also be an issue with region if, say, you bought the original laptop in Farangland and are trying to activate the new laptop's installation from LOS - that's what seemed to kybosh my transferred Vista, I didn't even reinstall, just swapped HD.

[monty]

Or it's maybe a good time for to move on to Windows 7!

Have nearly 1 Year FREE for testing, it's original as well and will for sure run on your new laptop!

Cheers.

Doing that already!

RC1 running smooth, only some minor video driver problems when playing full screen youtube vids. But unlike before on XP, the thing crashes, black screen for a few moments, and every time the desktop comes back up with the message that my ATI driver crashed and has successfully recuperated

ON XP it would most likely have been a BSOD...

[Guest Reimar]

Monty:

Try the slightly modified Video Driver from http://www.donotargue.com and/or http://www.guru3d.com.

Both producing Video drivers base on Ati and Nvidia but with better performance.

Cheers.

[Mobi]

I think if you were to get a copy of windows xp (not a manufacturers install disk) from a friend andinstall it on your new PC then enter the license info from your old pc you should not have any problems, it will not work if you use the installation disk in a different model notebbok. After installation do a search for drivers required by your new notebook...I've done this and had no problems. Good Luck.

I already have a genuine windows xp disc for my desktop PC.

So I could certainly try installing from that and input the Dell product key.

What do others think? Will it work?

I have 2 desktops and a notebook. Have not tried Windows 7 and am reluctant to use it as I'm not about to upgrade all 3 computers, and don't want to use a different OS on different computers. It will surely tax my ageing brain.

[Guest Reimar]

I think if you were to get a copy of windows xp (not a manufacturers install disk) from a friend andinstall it on your new PC then enter the license info from your old pc you should not have any problems, it will not work if you use the installation disk in a different model notebbok. After installation do a search for drivers required by your new notebook...I've done this and had no problems. Good Luck.

I already have a genuine windows xp disc for my desktop PC.

So I could certainly try installing from that and input the Dell product key.

What do others think? Will it work?

I have 2 desktops and a notebook. Have not tried Windows 7 and am reluctant to use it as I'm not about to upgrade all 3 computers, and don't want to use a different OS on different computers. It will surely tax my ageing brain.

I wrote that in one of my answers above already. Please read.

[Mobi]

I think if you were to get a copy of windows xp (not a manufacturers install disk) from a friend andinstall it on your new PC then enter the license info from your old pc you should not have any problems, it will not work if you use the installation disk in a different model notebbok. After installation do a search for drivers required by your new notebook...I've done this and had no problems. Good Luck.

I already have a genuine windows xp disc for my desktop PC.

So I could certainly try installing from that and input the Dell product key.

What do others think? Will it work?

I have 2 desktops and a notebook. Have not tried Windows 7 and am reluctant to use it as I'm not about to upgrade all 3 computers, and don't want to use a different OS on different computers. It will surely tax my ageing brain.

I wrote that in one of my answers above already. Please read.

Sorry, I've read it now. I think I understand.

I haven't bought the new laptop yet - just wanted to know before I buy with or without Win XP.

I'll buy the laptop without XP and try out the suggestions.

If all else fails I'll get a new XP

Thanks everyone

[Guest Reimar]

As I wrote already, I would go for Windows 7.

Reason are easy:

1.: Works excellent!;

2.: FREE until March 2010!;

3.: Fast!;

4.: Works better with new hardware than XP can because of Driver pp!;

5.: NO BSOD!;

6.: Easy to use!;

7.: Excellent downward compatibility!

and, and, and!!

Don't spend money for to buy an outdated OS! Go for the Future!

Just my own experiences and my 2 Satangs!

Cheers.

[Mobi]

As I wrote already, I would go for Windows 7.

Reason are easy:

1.: Works excellent!;

2.: FREE until March 2010!;

3.: Fast!;

4.: Works better with new hardware than XP can because of Driver pp!;

5.: NO BSOD!;

6.: Easy to use!;

7.: Excellent downward compatibility!

and, and, and!!

Don't spend money for to buy an outdated OS! Go for the Future!

Just my own experiences and my 2 Satangs!

Cheers.

OK, I'm convinced.

So how do I get Windows 7?

OK I've googled and now know how to get it.

Should I download the 32 bit or 64 bit version?

What's the difference?

Edited May 17, 2009 by Mobi

[Guest Reimar]

As I wrote already, I would go for Windows 7.

Reason are easy:

1.: Works excellent!;

2.: FREE until March 2010!;

3.: Fast!;

4.: Works better with new hardware than XP can because of Driver pp!;

5.: NO BSOD!;

6.: Easy to use!;

7.: Excellent downward compatibility!

and, and, and!!

Don't spend money for to buy an outdated OS! Go for the Future!

Just my own experiences and my 2 Satangs!

Cheers.

OK, I'm convinced.

So how do I get Windows 7?

OK I've googled and now know how to get it.

Should I download the 32 bit or 64 bit version?

What's the difference?

I would use the 32 Bit version! Because of software compatitbility!

If you read a bit the post's in this thread, you'll find one from me with the direct download from MS for W7!

Why not take a little time to read the post's? You'll get all info's you need.

Cheers.

[spacefruit]

For what its worth I was a die hard Windows XP person, must have installed it over 40 times, on all sorts of configs. I thought it was easy - (it was compared to earlier versions), but lengthy. Finding drivers, especially on Vaio's was a chore, but doable.

Windows 7 in both formats installs very quickly, (installs, not starts - but it starts quickly too), and drivers are usually found automatically. I especially don't miss the interminable amount of time XP used to take to format.

Windows 7 seems to do anything on anything, from high end to old P4's with small memory. I love it, and I am feeling myself being sucked into M$ evil plan where all machines I look after will need to buy new licenses in January!

So be it. For once, I think they have produced an OS that I might actually buy, and that is actually worth buying.

Very clever marketing to let us all have it free, so that by January we cant do without. I do wonder if they have caught me before I get sucked into the MAC system. Trouble is, macs don't go wrong/need new os/do everything out of the box so I get bored.

[monty]

For what its worth I was a die hard Windows XP person, must have installed it over 40 times, on all sorts of configs. I thought it was easy - (it was compared to earlier versions), but lengthy. Finding drivers, especially on Vaio's was a chore, but doable.

Windows 7 in both formats installs very quickly, (installs, not starts - but it starts quickly too), and drivers are usually found automatically. I especially don't miss the interminable amount of time XP used to take to format.

Windows 7 seems to do anything on anything, from high end to old P4's with small memory. I love it, and I am feeling myself being sucked into M$ evil plan where all machines I look after will need to buy new licenses in January!

So be it. For once, I think they have produced an OS that I might actually buy, and that is actually worth buying.

Very clever marketing to let us all have it free, so that by January we cant do without. I do wonder if they have caught me before I get sucked into the MAC system. Trouble is, macs don't go wrong/need new os/do everything out of the box so I get bored.

Free till march 2010!

[monty]

As I wrote already, I would go for Windows 7.

Reason are easy:

1.: Works excellent!;

2.: FREE until March 2010!;

3.: Fast!;

4.: Works better with new hardware than XP can because of Driver pp!;

5.: NO BSOD!;

6.: Easy to use!;

7.: Excellent downward compatibility!

and, and, and!!

Don't spend money for to buy an outdated OS! Go for the Future!

Just my own experiences and my 2 Satangs!

Cheers.

Mobi,

I have the 32 bit latest version on Win7 lying around. Can make a quick copy, saves you a 2.4 GB download!

OK, I'm convinced.

So how do I get Windows 7?

OK I've googled and now know how to get it.

Should I download the 32 bit or 64 bit version?

What's the difference?