Windows XP Home Licence...

[Israar]

Hey guys and gals!

I'm a little pickle at present, I'm after a valid, official Microsoft Windows XP Home licence key, I don't want a crack, etc, just an original, not in use key.

If anyone knows anyone who knows how to aquire one or knows someone who is getting rid of any, then please let me know!

As stated above, I want a valid, original, not in use licence key as it's for a small rig I'm sorting out for my youngest brothers best mate. Unfortunately the guy he bought the PC off did a lousy job of building it and put a cracked copy of windows in

Anyway, hope to see some feedback soon and hope everyone is doing great!

--Lee

[Goodman]

Go at Microsoft site & buy one (license key)

[Israar]

Originally Posted by Goodman

Go at Microsoft site & buy one (license key)

So you can actually buy a licence key directly from Microsoft? I didn't know that was possible, as normally you have to buy the key with the CD, which is what I'm trying to avoid lol, is it on technet?

--Lee

[CrackerJack]

Originally Posted by Israar

So you can actually buy a licence key directly from Microsoft? I didn't know that was possible, as normally you have to buy the key with the CD, which is what I'm trying to avoid lol, is it on technet?

--Lee

Yes it's possible, How to do it? Not sure... I'm sure it's not that hard, you order a copy of Windows. They email you the key.... Just a guess. And possible send you a hard copy.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by CrackerJack

Yes it's possible, How to do it? Not sure... I'm sure it's not that hard, you order a copy of Windows. They email you the key.... Just a guess. And possible send you a hard copy.

I am pretty sure you cannot do it unless you have a pirated copy and want to replace it with a proper one.

EDIT: You can't through MS webpage. And I'm sure they will not send you a key with email as the key have to be printed on that bluegreen paper.

EDIT for clarification/info: The only instance I know of where they send keys through email is replacement keys, when the original one for some reason is unreadable (this has to be proven with a photograph).

[newtekie1]

Originally Posted by Frick

I am pretty sure you cannot do it unless you have a pirated copy and want to replace it with a proper one.

Not to mention, I don't believe Microsoft even sells XP licenses anymore, they stopped selling them a year or more ago.

[Frick]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Not to mention, I don't believe Microsoft even sells XP licenses anymore, they stopped selling them a year or more ago.

A quick Google says 2008. So yeah.

EDIT: I think the cheapest way would be to buy an old computer and get that key.

[Israar]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Not to mention, I don't believe Microsoft even sells XP licenses anymore, they stopped selling them a year or more ago.

Ahh, now that I didn't know, I knew the support was going, I didn't even question this at all haha!

Hmm, I might have to do what Frick said and see if I can get one from an old desktop or laptop that's up for scraps maybe, as I'm not putting a cracked copy on his PC.

Thanks for the heads up people, as for the licences on Microsofts website where volume licences, which is way out of my league lol!

--Lee

[jmcslob]

Technet....or MSDNAA
Those are the only options as far as I know....

[Frick]

Originally Posted by jmcslob

Technet....or MSDNAA
Those are the only options as far as I know....

MSDNAA is out of bounds for a single guy and technet is overkill in extreme for just one XP Home license.

[AsRock]

I have a old HP system but if you be able to get it to work with another i don't know. And it's Windows XP Home ED.

Although i thought it was not allowed to be done..

2 pics of said system

[CrackerJack]

Originally Posted by Frick

I am pretty sure you cannot do it unless you have a pirated copy and want to replace it with a proper one.

EDIT: You can't through MS webpage. And I'm sure they will not send you a key with email as the key have to be printed on that bluegreen paper.

EDIT for clarification/info: The only instance I know of where they send keys through email is replacement keys, when the original one for some reason is unreadable (this has to be proven with a photograph).

so technically you still can...

[qubit]

Get XP Pro for cheap over here.

[theonedub]

Originally Posted by AsRock

I have a old HP system but if you be able to get it to work with another i don't know. And it's Windows XP Home ED.

Although i thought it was not allowed to be done..

2 pics of said system
http://img.techpowerup.org/111028/_IGP4329.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/111028/_IGP4330.jpg

That's probably an OEM key- don't think it will work (at least legitimately).

I think I still have the retail key from the XP Home install I had on one of my old Penitum D setups. 99% sure its not OEM, and that it is not in use.

[jmcslob]

who is ready to laugh......
www.pricewatch.com

direct link
http://www.pricewatch.com/gallery/so...indows_xp_home
$45
See nobody remembers Pricewatch anymore LOL

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by theonedub

That's probably an OEM key- don't think it will work (at least legitimately).

I think I still have the retail key from the XP Home install I had on one of my old Penitum D setups. 99% sure its not OEM, and that it is not in use.

Just what i was thinking al though a phone call about having your system repaired might solve that lol. But i don't think that be very legit lol.

[Israar]

Originally Posted by AsRock

I have a old HP system but if you be able to get it to work with another i don't know. And it's Windows XP Home ED.

Although i thought it was not allowed to be done..

2 pics of said system
http://img.techpowerup.org/111028/_IGP4329.jpg
http://img.techpowerup.org/111028/_IGP4330.jpg

I'm sure that it would work, although as said it would more than likely have to go through the phone call routine of the robot lady haha

Originally Posted by theonedub

That's probably an OEM key- don't think it will work (at least legitimately).

I think I still have the retail key from the XP Home install I had on one of my old Penitum D setups. 99% sure its not OEM, and that it is not in use.

I think it might, but again, as you said it might not, I'm not 100% sure on it, although if I'm right in that it would work it would have to be done by ringing the phone line where you have to input a code generated by your computer then get given a key to input yourself to activate?

If you have a retail key for Home that isn't in use, would you consider selling it to me maybe? If so I won't have to go down the lines of buying a new copy with a CD so I would be really appreciative of it

Thanks for the kind replies everyone, I appreciate everyones input and hopefully can get a solid point on what I'll be doing soon

--Lee

[Frick]

I think XP is a lot more slack when it comes to which hardware it activates on than Vista/7. I have an XP Home OEM license here that I've used with a metric ton of different systems and it has activated over the internet just fine on every single one of them.

[Israar]

Originally Posted by Frick

I think XP is a lot more slack when it comes to which hardware it activates on than Vista/7. I have an XP Home OEM license here that I've used with a metric ton of different systems and it has activated over the internet just fine on every single one of them.

If that's the case, then would there be any chance you'd be willing to sell your licence key to me AsRock?

If there is then we can take it to PM concerning pricing of the licence key? Although I would like it if you did sell the key to me, that you'd send over the sticker too (I'd pay for the sending of course as that would be my duty )

--Lee

[Frick]

Would be nice if someone else could comment on that, as confirmation.

[newtekie1]

Originally Posted by Frick

Would be nice if someone else could comment on that, as confirmation.

It isn't really any more relaxed, it is just the system itself is pretty relaxed with the activations. OEM copies of Win7 can be activated 2-4 times before they are flagged and you have to call, and then you can get away with another 2-4 activations. Plus, every so often the activation records are purged. So a copy that has been activated for a good while can be re-activated again without any hassle.

Anyway, I think I have an XP Home OEM key on an old dell that had the motherboard fry, so I gutted the case. I was about to take it in for the scrap steel, but I can give you the key if you want. Plus that will be 100% legit, because motherboard failure is a valid reason to re-activate an OEM license on another system.

[95Viper]

Just some info from the Microsoft OEM Licensing FAQ under the "Transfer of License" section.

Transfer of License

Q. Can my customers transfer or sell their OEM software licenses?

A. After an OEM software license has been installed on a PC, the license may not be installed on or transferred to another PC. However, the entire PC may be transferred to another end user along with the software license rights. When transferring the PC to the new end user, the software media, manuals (if applicable), and Certificate of Authenticity label must be included. It is also advisable to include the original purchase invoice or receipt. The original end user cannot keep any copies of the software.

Q. My customer bought a new PC and wants to move the OEM software from the old PC to the new one. Can't users do whatever they want with their software?

A. The OEM software is licensed with the computer system on which it was originally installed and is tied to that original machine. OEM licenses are single-use licenses that cannot be installed on more than one computer system, even if the original machine is no longer in use. The End User Software License Terms, which the end user must accept before using the software, states that the license may not be shared, transferred to, or used concurrently on different computers. System builders must provide end-user support for the Windows license on computers they build, but cannot support licenses on computers they didn’t build. This is a fundamental reason why OEM System Builder licenses can't be transferred.

Also, under the section "New/Refurbished PCs"

Q. If my customer asks me to upgrade a PC with new hardware components, when is a new operating system needed? When would the PC be considered "new"?

A. Generally, an end user can upgrade or replace all of the hardware components on a computer—except the motherboard—and still retain the license for the original Microsoft OEM operating system software. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created. Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred to the new computer, and the license of new operating system software is required.

If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do not need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC as long as the replacement motherboard is the same make/model or the same manufacturer's replacement/equivalent, as defined by the manufacturer's warranty.

Microsoft Windows licensing Guide (Link may not work in browsers other than MSIE)

Hope this helps.

[Israar]

Originally Posted by newtekie1

It isn't really any more relaxed, it is just the system itself is pretty relaxed with the activations. OEM copies of Win7 can be activated 2-4 times before they are flagged and you have to call, and then you can get away with another 2-4 activations. Plus, every so often the activation records are purged. So a copy that has been activated for a good while can be re-activated again without any hassle.

Anyway, I think I have an XP Home OEM key on an old dell that had the motherboard fry, so I gutted the case. I was about to take it in for the scrap steel, but I can give you the key if you want. Plus that will be 100% legit, because motherboard failure is a valid reason to re-activate an OEM license on another system.

That's pretty nifty and if you're taking it to a scrap heap I'd be more than happy to take it off your hands =)

Originally Posted by 95Viper

Just some info from the Microsoft OEM Licensing FAQ under the "Transfer of License" section.

Also, under the section "New/Refurbished PCs"

Microsoft Windows licensing Guide (Link may not work in browsers other than MSIE)

Hope this helps.

I never knew any of that Viper, that's something definitely worth knowing! Thanks!

--Lee

[Melvis]

Originally Posted by Frick

I think XP is a lot more slack when it comes to which hardware it activates on than Vista/7. I have an XP Home OEM license here that I've used with a metric ton of different systems and it has activated over the internet just fine on every single one of them.

Correct, i have a XP key off my dads old dell laptop that has been used many times on many different machines with out issue, just gotta take your time and spread out the activations as they only give you 3 times to do it in 3 months. It doesn't matter if its OEM or what it will activate on any hardware.

Originally Posted by newtekie1

Anyway, I think I have an XP Home OEM key on an old dell that had the motherboard fry, so I gutted the case. I was about to take it in for the scrap steel, but I can give you the key if you want. Plus that will be 100% legit, because motherboard failure is a valid reason to re-activate an OEM license on another system.

I hate to tell ya but it isnt, ive already rang MS about this with another computer i had here long ago about changing the mobo as it died and they said NO the serial is locked to that mobo so there for it is now canceled. and they did If i was to change ram or CPU etc it be fine, but soon as i said mobo they said NO.

As people have said before go to a junk yard or something and find an old case with a sticker on it, then ya good to go. Or go to your local shops/store whatever that run XP and have the computer on the desk, get ya camera phone set it near the sticker, distract the lady at the counter, take a pic, to easy lol < i dont recommend that one but

[AsRock]

Originally Posted by Israar

If that's the case, then would there be any chance you'd be willing to sell your licence key to me AsRock?

If there is then we can take it to PM concerning pricing of the licence key? Although I would like it if you did sell the key to me, that you'd send over the sticker too (I'd pay for the sending of course as that would be my duty )

--Lee

Sure you can have it for free i don't need it and only have it due to the case. Buut don't get ya hope's up due to what Malvis said.