Using my previously unused XP OEM Licence??

Question

When I got my Dell 8250, I booted it up to ensure it was working, but never activated XP (or registered, or whatever they call it).

I then formatted the drive and installed Mandrake Linux 9.1, and am not going to use XP on that machine. I've searched high and low and can't find a straight answer on the OEM licence restrictions.

As I understand it, the OEM licences can't be transferred from the original computer. What I can't find is whether it is specifically tied to this Dell 8250, or just to the first machine it's activated on.

I can get a good deal on a machine with no OS, but need to know this for sure before I buy it. Thanks in advance.

Tom

fireberd · Answer

The Dell OEM Operating System is licensed only for the machine it was delivered with. Any other use violates the Dell OEM license policy.

There have been a lot of reports that the Dell OEM operating systems are coded to only install on a Dell machine, too.

tdexter · Answer

Thanks for the reply! That's what I was afraid of. Yet another reason to use Linux ;) Tom

fireberd · Answer

i can't confirm that the Dell OEM OS won't install on something else, just that I've seen a lot of posts on this forum that say that.

ChrisRLG · Answer

I saw a thread where it had been installed to a phoenix bios, I beleive that Dell uses that for it own. Most non dell bios is a no go.

Kanuk001 · Answer

I suspect even if you could install the O/S on another machine you would not be able to activate it. Dell machines are shipped with the O/S preactivated.

WillyTee · Answer

The Dell cd is tied to the Bios, so you have to load on a Hdd on the dell then swap the Hdd to the new machine. remove all the hardware from the new system and hang on, it will find all the new hardware. Of it's been over 120 days it will activate on-line if not it's a automated phone call.

Windows General

Using my previously unused XP OEM Licence??

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