Activation of XP for Dual Boot

[ppbrec1]

Hi,

I hope someone can help clear my mind over this issue.
I've been running a PC with XP Pro for the last six years, until the motherboard packed up about a month ago. The replacement PC has the 64 bit version of 7 Pro installed, which is fine but will not allow some useful programs and hardware to run properly.
Using Paragon's Hard Disk Manager 2011 I've created the Dual boot senario up to the point where XP needs activation. Because XP was OEM with the old machine I am told by Microsoft's Auto-activation system that the copy is not legal and by telephone that the OEM license does not permit the use my XP program on anything other that the original computer on which it was installed.

Confusion comes when reluctantly accepting this I looked on e-bay to see a whole range of OEM discs being offered "unused with a piece of original hardware" and catagorically stating that under European laws these are legitimate.

So my question - does anyone know if this is so? and if that is the case what is the difference between these disks offered for sale and the OEM recovery product I hold that came with the original machine?

Guidance would be appreciated, as I really do not want to buy something that takes me no further forward than I am now, and resent feathering the Ms coffers by paying for a full version of something I have legitimately worked with for the past 6 years!

 

[Bill2]

The XP on your computer- these are called OEM (specifically royalty OEM) versions. Such a copy is legally tied to the original mobo and cannot be transferred to a new machine. Such copies activate offline as long as they are on the same mobo.

The ebay OEM disks would be System builder OEM copies- these are similar to retail copies but cannot be legally moved from the first computer they are installed on. They are cheap because MS support is not bundled with them. "Unused with a piece of original hardware" might mean that the copy has never been activated before, the original hardware part is probably there because this version was only to be sold installed on a whitebox. This became a farce later on because mice/keyboards and similar insignificant hardware started being bundled to satisfy the EULA. Anyways thats a different story.

But my sincere advice- stay away from ebay. You have no means of verifying whether its an unused copy and ebay is infamous for this. we've had umpteen cases of people being duped.

 

[CyberZeus]

I suggest you virtualization. Look Download Windows XP Mode
Hope this helps!

 

[jimbo45]

The XP on your computer- these are called OEM (specifically royalty OEM) versions. Such a copy is legally tied to the original mobo and cannot be transferred to a new machine. Such copies activate offline as long as they are on the same mobo.

The ebay OEM disks would be System builder OEM copies- these are similar to retail copies but cannot be legally moved from the first computer they are installed on. They are cheap because MS support is not bundled with them. "Unused with a piece of original hardware" might mean that the copy has never been activated before, the original hardware part is probably there because this version was only to be sold installed on a whitebox. This became a farce later on because mice/keyboards and similar insignificant hardware started being bundled to satisfy the EULA. Anyways thats a different story.

But my sincere advice- stay away from ebay. You have no means of verifying whether its an unused copy and ebay is infamous for this. we've had umpteen cases of people being duped.

Hi there

Ebay or better known as "Scambay" can provide -- if you are VERY CAREFUL - some bargains but "Used Software" is definitely a category to stay away from.

The only time this type of purchase could possibly work is if you buy a full retail copy of the OS and even then you will have to activate by phone saying you've got a NEW computer --and it's a mute point whether MS would activate the OS or not.

If it's not the original DVD but a "Copy" chances are that this has already been activated too many times and will be blacklisted by MS.

For Software as far as EBAY is concerned --STAY WELL AWAY.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[ppbrec1]

Thank you all for your responses.

The annoyance at having to "apparently" pay twice for the same thing is starting to subside, - a little, and the caution regarding used software is noted well enough.

CyberZeus mentioned XP mode in 7 and I confess to having tried with that (still loaded and occasionally used) but in general it did not seem to help with my specific issues.
Perhaps there is more to it than I have realised, and I shall return to that area and explore some more!

Thanks again.

 

[gregrocker]

Have you tried installing the XP problem programs in Compatibility Mode? This tricks the program into thinking it is being installed to XP.

There are other free virtualization programs to try before buying an Xpired OS: VitualBox, VirtualPlayer, VMWare.

 

[fafhrd]

You can still reactivate your OEM installation on a replacement motherboard in the old machine. For instance, if your XP machine had only been 6 months old, and the motherboard failed, you could have replaced the motherboard with a similar model, but six years on, the availability of boards and processors has changed. There is no time limitation on the license.

It does not mean that you have to throw away your old XP - you may need to reinstall XP to accommodate the new hardware, but you are within your rights to do so. Whether your OEM left you with the means to reinstall - disks, or a recovery partition is a different matter.

However, a dual boot is probably not going to be legitimate.

What the Microsoft Windows Activation Technology and Microsoft Genuine Advantage programs are designed to prevent is not people continuing to use their old operating systems (even though they have ceased to be profitable to MS), but to stop people distributing a single copy of the OS on several different machines, either for distribution or within a home or business environment. People with one wooden leg, eye patches and parrots on their shoulders, for instance.

If you do reinstate your old hard disk on a new motherboard etc, a live telephone reactivation will be required, and your reactivation details will be recorded by the Microsoft operative.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-windows/0ed1ef30-4e7e-4b02-9df2-909118622476

 

[Bill2]

It would be a breach of the EULA to use the OEM license on another machine, the license dies with the motherboard. When one installs windows, one accepts the EULA, remember?

Practically speaking, replacing the oem mobo with a non-oem one would render the restore cd/partition (if such things exist) useless, otherwise the OP would need to get hold of a regular XP iso of the exact species that came preinstalled (since XP does not have generic disks and can be very finicky about service packs) which is no easy matter now.

Most people dont need MS to monitor them, going by the OP's posts I think he'll stick to the ethics even if there were no WGA or parrots.

 

[SIW2]

There was a case recently - ( in the last couple of years if memory serves ) establishing that in Europe, you can separate software from the hardware it came with. Otherwise, it would be restrictive practice presumably.


I think you will find that still only entitles the software to be used on one machine - the point is any one machine.

If you have already used it the machine it came with - that is your one machine used up . ( Assuming it is one machine license ).

That is why they are offering those on ebay - they haven't already been used.



I don't know if the same is true in the US or elsewhere.

You would only find out if a case had been brought to establish its legitimacy.

 

[ppbrec1]

Thanks again for the interest and input.

Afraid that Compatability Mode has not helped with my issues either.

Essentially the problems are with software which is associated with / supporting items of hardware where the product manufacturers have decided not to update their support for particular products.

Thus annoyingly where one buys equipment good enough to survive a decent period of time the manufacturers ensure its obsolescence by non-support for a new operating system.

I shall now take a while to ponder the competing merits of splashing out on a legitimate copy of XP or scrapping a perfectly good printer and scanner and buying new. The latter option I confess I have been reluctant to follow as to buy today's equivalents would cost a lot more than the o/s, though what life is actually left in my present kit represents the other element of the quandry .

 

[ppbrec1]

.........................unless Linux might offer a suitable secondary platform.

Anyone care to venture a view?

 

[Bill2]

Just going back to your previous post, many older hardware are supported splendidly in win7. You can check whether your printer and scanner are supported.

Windows 7 Compatibility: Software Programs & Hardware Devices: Find Updates, Drivers, & Downloads

Even more importantly, XP drivers can be installed in compatibility mode.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/316-compatibility-mode.html

You can also ask for help in the SF drivers subforum.

As for linux, this is a win7 forum but Ubuntu is awesome! I'm running 10.10 (maverick) on one of my machines and loving it. Its a breeze to get running and excellent for long-time windows users because it has the same look and feel.

 

[ppbrec1]

Hi Bill2,

Yes, I have looked at 7 compatibility and regrettably my scanner is not supported.

The printer actually functions very well, but I have been unable to load the toolbox so some of the little extras are missing ( e.g. approx ink levels, head cleaning command)
I will however double check loading in compatibility mode.

I accept the admonishment for raising a non-form topic - but thanks for the comment anyway!

regards.

 

[unifex]

Sorry to intrude, and if a discussion of prices is not allowed, I apologize in advance. Basically, a quick look on Amazon reveals an OEM XP Home for 85 bucks. Google claims to find a shop which sells it for 70. I would think one can trust Amazon to sell legitimate software. This is certainly less money than a good scanner. However, I can't advise any further since I don't know how you are using your equipment.

I should notice, that while the idea that an OS license is tied to the motherboard irritates me a lot, these OEM licenses (including the one sold by Amazon) are way cheaper than their "full retail" counterparts, for which there is no such restriction. Of course, when you're buying a new PC from a large manufacturer you don't typically have a choice of what kind of OS (OEM or full retail) is pre-installed. But then I guess for the majority of customers a "computer" is just a "single" appliance, as opposed to a bunch of parts bundled together, in which case the OS would be just another part. Hence the manufacturers and Microsoft are treating these licenses this way.

Finally, if you are thinking about actually buying an XP license, why not get yourself a Technet subscription? It costs about the same as the full version license, but you get so much more.

 

[ppbrec1]

Hi Unifex,

I have used Microsoft products for longer than I care to remember, and readily acknowledge the problems of piracy, but I have to say I feel that this is taking advantage of a situation. They no longer market Xp directly, but have failed to ensure that their new operating system (s) adequately caters for the needs of long standing customers.

Yes, they are acting legally and within the letter of their contract but their atitude sends any thoughts of loyalty right out of the window (no punn intended). They have already had my money for the W7 product but if I can find a way of doing without XP and thus avoid parting with any more of my "hard earned" in their direction that will be my preference.

Just leaves a nasty taste in the mouth!

Thanks for sharing your views - and giving me another reason to sound off!


Also thanks to fafhrd - food for thought - I'll do the background!


regards