Can I Use XP Supplied with Inspiron on another non-Dell PC?

bowman2000,

1)  Will I be able to install and run properly XP on the non-DELL desktop.

No, it is keyed to a Dell BIOS.

2)  If not, as I have paid for the licence for XP Home, is there a facaility to upgrade/exchange anywhere?

You have paid for the license of that version of XP Home installed on the computer with which it came. It is an OEM license, not a retail license, so it is not licensed for use with any other system.

bowman2000,

While it is true that the disc states for Dell Computer Use only, it does count as a ligitimate version to upgrade from.  If you were to get an "Windows XP Professional Upgrade" kit, it will ask you for a ligitimate previous version of windows to be inserted into the disc drive.  From other posts, it seems like the Dell OEM Disc with XP on it will count as a legitimate version.  Just remember that you can only have XP installed on 1 system at any given time, unless you purchase additional licenses.

However, most times I have seen with other OEM manufacturer's is that the "For [Comany Name] Use Only" is there because many of the standard drivers that are provided in the generic OEM version are missing.  Even if you had the chance to install the Dell version, too many things would be missing for XP to work right.  I learn this well with another brand of computer.

I realize that this requires the purchase of an Upgrade kit, but it is much less than the cost of a "Full Retail" version of Microsoft Software.  But may be one of the better courses of action for you.

^_^ Cheers

You CAN transfer the licence from one system to another according to the EULA posted on Microsoft's Site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.asp

"13. SOFTWARE TRANSFER. Internal. You may move the Software to a different Workstation Computer. After the transfer, you must completely remove the Software from the former Workstation Computer. Transfer to Third Party. The initial user of the Software may make a one-time permanent transfer of this EULA and Software to another end user, provided the initial user retains no copies of the Software. This transfer must include all of the Software (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity). The transfer may not be an indirect transfer, such as a consignment. Prior to the transfer, the end user receiving the Software must agree to all the EULA terms."

Please note the bolding is not in the original quote, but used to show the basis for my claim.  Some companies add or modify claims.  It is best to read the EULA that is provided with the system.  If it is the same as the Microsoft default.  You purchased A (1) License, and can only use A (1) system with the software installed.  I have looked at purcahsing Dell system for friends of mine, but shy away because I can't get the system WITHOUT an OS so I they can put a Linux derivitive on it.

Many times people get confused.  The most common reason for this clause to be here is because if hardware fails, and you need to buy a new component or series of components, what constitutes a "new computer"?  I have lost my motherboard, CPU, PowerSupply, and ram in a power surge before.  Therefore I vitrually had to purchase a new computer.

If you really have any questions, it would be best to call Microsoft about the EULA.  We are only giving opinions and options.  Microsoft is the authority, and Dell can give directions because of some modifications made to the EULA for usage in a Dell product.

I hope this doesn't confuse the matter, but clarifies it.

^_^ Cheers

The Dell XP disk contains the full XP. Separate disks are provided for any drivers required for the installed components that do not use generic XP files. Other manufacturers offer an XP 'recovery' disk that may or may not contain all XP files. In all cases, the EULA for an OEM XP states that it is only licensed for the PC it comes with and no other.

WYSIWYG,

If you read the large type at the beginning of that page you will see that it applies to:

MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION (RETAIL)(emphasis mine)

OEM software does not fall under that definition. It is licensed for use only on the computer with which it is sold.

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 06-11-2004 05:22 PM

Yes, for clarity these are the relevant extracts from the OEM Eula (caps as in the original):

This End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single legal entity) and the manufacturer ("Manufacturer") of the computer system or  computer system component ("HARDWARE") with which you acquired the Microsoft software product(s) identified on the Certificate of Authenticity ("COA") affixed to the HARDWARE or on the associated product documentation ("SOFTWARE").

The term "COMPUTER" as used herein shall mean the HARDWARE, if the HARDWARE is a single computer system, or shall mean the computer system with which the HARDWARE operates, if the HARDWARE is a computer system component.

Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer.  THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER.