I don't understand this

RunAway

Member
I bought an OEM version of Windows XP about a year ago and just recently bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium 32bit..Got them both from NewEgg...As everyone knows it only comes in an envelope..Well what I don't understand is what I can and can't do with it- or what I'm NOT suppose to do with it....I wish I had gotten the 64 bit version of Vista and now I want to put the 32 bit version on ebay.....But can I do that after I have already put it on one of my computers?
 
i ran into an issue. it was time for the computer to go. i put XP on and i could not activate. I called microsoft and said i had to trash the computer.
they generated a new key. if you upgrade hardware you might run into an issue. like a video card i think. it seems to be hardware specific.
 
i ran into an issue. it was time for the computer to go. i put XP on and i could not activate. I called microsoft and said i had to trash the computer.
they generated a new key. if you upgrade hardware you might run into an issue. like a video card i think. it seems to be hardware specific.

i constantly upgrade, i went from 7950gt to 4850, asus m2ne sli to asus rampage, sata h/d to solid state and ballistix to kingston with absolute no problems...

so ive changed gpu,mobo,hard drive and ram with no issues
 
alright......i'll by that. Now my question is what stops you from installing on another computer. it was a long time ago. i thought it was the video card. Maybe it was the motherboard i changed. i forgot. BUTT.......with a phone call they always did let me install with the proper installation with a new key.
 
alright......i'll by that. Now my question is what stops you from installing on another computer. it was a long time ago. i thought it was the video card. Maybe it was the motherboard i changed. i forgot. BUTT.......with a phone call they always did let me install with the proper installation with a new key.

Ive had to call and get a new key before myself,but like a couple of years later I installed the same copy of XP on another computer and used the ORIGINAL key and it worked...Funny...
 
I believe only the motherboard being changed would cause issues. Anything else and you should be fine.
 
Ill clear up a little confusion. Windows XP's install is based on a point system. GPU, MOBO, get somewhere around 3 points. Hard drives are 2, ram is 1 (if I remember correctly). After so many point changes (5-7) then it requires you to reinstall windows. However, with things like a mobo change, its recommended you reinstall for compatibility sake.

Vista originally worked on a mobo system. You could change out the GPU, ram, etc as many times are you wanted, but the system was locked to that one and only motherboard (so if it died, you were f....). Anyway, with the latest Vista however, they are using a slightly modified system that I'm afraid I dont know how works.

Anyway, its already been answered, but RunAway, no, you cant sell your copy. I wish I had gotten 64 vista as well, but 7 comes out in november. Get 64 when 7 comes out.

:).

Edit: Oh yes, for XP and Vista, if you just give microsoft a ring at reinstall time and tell them you destroyed the old computer, doing a routine reinstall, or something similar, they'll give you a new key. Ive done this every year for the past couple of years :D! Its legal because its only being installed on one pc ;).
 
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