!! How do I LEGALLY do a N&P of Win XP? !!

[Andy]

I was wondering how do I legally reinstall XP?

MS Website says only the OEM disc or recovery partition can be used. Are there any ways around this?

I've read that using a retail copy of XP on an OEM system MIGHT work, but eventually the system will be considered to be non-genuine (pirated) and won't get updates from MS and what not.

I've also read that Bart's PE (which I have) can be used to reinstall XP. I'm not sure how to do that? Is that legal?

>> I want to know the best and safest way possible to reinstall XP. <<

The tools I have that I could use:

Win XP Pro Academic VLK
UBCD4 (Bart's PE essentially?)
Access to Win XP from MS Academic Alliance
Torrented OEM Media Center Edition 2005

My teacher is going to give me a few copies of OEM discs that he has.

Also, today I got MS DaRT (Diagnostics and Recovery Tools) versions 5.0, 6.0, and 6.5 from my college because they are signed up for the MS Academic Alliance. I have not used it yet.

Thanks for any and all help

 

[studiot]

Google nlite.........

 

[Andy]

.

I used nLite to slipstream SP3 into my XP Pro... but that's not a very good answer

 

[e2346437]

What's the big deal? Get your hands on an OEM XP and do the nuke and pave. Use the key number that should be on the OEM sticker on the case. Reactivate when asked to, simple as that.

Eric

 

[MrUnknown]

the only "legal" way to reinstall an OEM copy of Windows is to use OEM media permitted by the OEM that made the machine.

any other disk is not allowed in Microsoft's eyes.

In other news, I wouldn't worry about it. It is unlikely MS will sue you for it as long as you only install the copy of Windows licensed to the machine (Don't install Professional instead of Home).

Now, don't build a new computer and use an OEM license key to reinstall Windows. I would consider that a no-no because that Key is tied to that machine and can not be transfered to a new computer like a retail license. Microsoft will consider it a new computer if the CPU or Motherboard is replaced with something that is not supplied or approved by the OEM.

that being said, if a user's motherboard dies and you replace it with what you can find and then reinstall Windows on it with that key. I again don't see MS suing you over it. It is just when you take an XP license from a Pentium 4 to install it on a Core 2 Duo.

 

[e2346437]

It's amazing what you CAN do even though Microsoft says NOT to. We've been doing N&P's for years with a plain-jane MS OEM CD. The only requirement we have is that the PC has to have the sticker on the side. If they can provide the OEM CD fine, but most can't as it's rarely included with name-brand machines anymore.

Eric

 

[Andy]

.

I've read that to install XP you have to not only have the same edition (home/pro), but the disc must have the same service pack that originally came with the system. Is this true?

Would I be able to use a MS OEM disc w/o a SP and slipstream SP 1-3 for a total of 8 disc OEM discs (4 for Home and 4 for Pro) and would that work? Can I use that on ANY computer with XP ?

@Eric why do you only do it if they have the sticker?

 

[DarDar]

I've read that to install XP you have to not only have the same edition (home/pro), but the disc must have the same service pack that originally came with the system. Is this true?

Would I be able to use a MS OEM disc w/o a SP and slipstream SP 1-3 for a total of 8 disc OEM discs (4 for Home and 4 for Pro) and would that work? Can I use that on ANY computer with XP ?

@Eric why do you only do it if they have the sticker?

I'd imagine its because there are too many cowboys out there who will install a pirate version on the machine without the user knowing - the kind of machines you get from back street computer shops....

As a professional tech you don't want to touch that with a bargepole - unless you can get them to splash the cash for a legit key.

 

[e2346437]

Andy,
If they don't have the sticker, they have no proof that they legally own Windows.

 

[MrUnknown]

@Eric why do you only do it if they have the sticker?

The sticker is the Certificate of Authenticy and shows that it is a valid key for Windows, without that then you have no clue where they got the key from.

And like I said, MS doesn't enforce these requirements of needing the OEM CDs from the manufacturer, BUT, their official stance is to do it that way. They could enforce it through CD Keys but they choose not to. As to why, I have no idea, I was just relaying their official stance of the situation as the OP asked how to do it legally.

 

[activeits]

OEM with same Service Pack

I've read that to install XP you have to not only have the same edition (home/pro), but the disc must have the same service pack that originally came with the system. Is this true?

Would I be able to use a MS OEM disc w/o a SP and slipstream SP 1-3 for a total of 8 disc OEM discs (4 for Home and 4 for Pro) and would that work? Can I use that on ANY computer with XP ?

@Eric why do you only do it if they have the sticker?

Never had this issue myself, I have the MSDN XP Retail with SP3 inbuilt, you change one file and it becomes OEM. I have used it many times on old systems, which would have come with SP1 and never had any key, validation, or Windows Genuine Advantage issue. Because it is legal.

But do not do anything if they cannot prove they have a valid licence, if the hard drive is still spinning, there is a way to find out the current key using the UBCD for Windows.


Thanks

 

[Andy]

The sticker is the Certificate of Authenticy and shows that it is a valid key for Windows, without that then you have no clue where they got the key from.

And like I said, MS doesn't enforce these requirements of needing the OEM CDs from the manufacturer, BUT, their official stance is to do it that way. They could enforce it through CD Keys but they choose not to. As to why, I have no idea, I was just relaying their official stance of the situation as the OP asked how to do it legally.

So I can reinstall XP w/ either the OEM or retail as long as it matches the version they have? MS would rather me not do it that way, but I won't get in trouble if I do.

Also, service packs don't matter? Like I can use a SP3 disc to install XP on a system that came with SP1?

 

[Andy]

Never had this issue myself, I have the MSDN XP Retail with SP3 inbuilt, you change one file and it becomes OEM. I have used it many times on old systems, which would have come with SP1 and never had any key, validation, or Windows Genuine Advantage issue. Because it is legal.

But do not do anything if they cannot prove they have a valid licence, if the hard drive is still spinning, there is a way to find out the current key using the UBCD for Windows.


Thanks

So if I get the MSDN XP Retail from my school, I will be able to use it to reinstall XP on a customer's machine? How do I turn the disk into OEM?

They don't have to have the COA as long as I obtain the CD Key using a CD Key finder software?

 

[MrUnknown]

So I can reinstall XP w/ either the OEM or retail as long as it matches the version they have? MS would rather me not do it that way, but I won't get in trouble if I do.

Also, service packs don't matter? Like I can use a SP3 disc to install XP on a system that came with SP1?

You can, but I can't say MS wont yell at you if they figure out you are doing it. Many people here do it though.

I am not sure about the Service Pack problem. There is one, but I can't say too much about it as I don't really experience it that much.

They don't have to have the COA as long as I obtain the CD Key using a CD Key finder software?

Without that COA, you have no idea where they got their key and could very easily be an illegal copy. I would not recommend reinstalling Windows without a COA sticker as proof that they have a valid license to that copy of Windows.

Also, using key recovery software on an OEM machine and you will get the OEM key, not the one on the side of the computer and you can't use that key to install Windows unless you use an OEM disk from the manufacturer and not the generally available OEM disk.

its...kinda confusing. You have OEM like Dell and HP, then you have OEM as in the OEM "system builder" disks you buy from Newegg. The license code used on OEM machines from Dell and HP and such is specific for their OEM disks and branded BIOS and can not be used with a regular OEM "system builder" disk. At least this is how I understand it. I haven't tried to use a recovered OEM key with a regular OEM disk. I always used the code on the side.

 

[Andy]

.

So: reinstall XP OEM w/ OEM (vendor specific), Retail w/ Retail, VLK w/ VLK
Also, must be the same version as the original OS (home w/home).

Use their own product key

Should have COA on the puter itself

Service pack might cause a problem, but typically no.

I should have a variety of OEM disks available because not all OEM disks can be used on all computers. Like HP should go with HP, but newer HP disks would be needed because they have the SATA controllers already installed, whereas older disks would be PATA only.

Sound about right?

 

[Alan22]

Microsoft's Offical Stance
(taken from here: Microsoft OEM Partner Center FAQs)

Q. If I need to reinstall the operating system on a machine from a direct OEM (e.g., Dell) that my customer has brought in, how should I do this?
A. A customer who wants you to reinstall Windows must provide recovery media from the direct OEM, because the software is licensed to the customer for use on that PC by that OEM. You cannot use your own OEM System Builder media to reinstall the operating system, or any other version of media (e.g., TechNet, MSDN, Action Pack, etc.), because these versions differ from the original OEM Windows license your customer acquired from the direct OEM. A customer who doesn't have a backup copy of the software for reinstallation will need to contact the original OEM and request replacement recovery media; you can use that media to reinstall the operating system on that machine.

 

[Andy]

.

I'm waiting for my teacher to hook me up with copies of the OEM disks he has. I've been told that I should make copies of customer's OEM disks so that I can have them on hand if they're needed in the future.

 

[activeits]

Microsoft's Offical Stance

So if I get the MSDN XP Retail from my school, I will be able to use it to reinstall XP on a customer's machine? How do I turn the disk into OEM?

They don't have to have the COA as long as I obtain the CD Key using a CD Key finder software?

If I get time later, I will post instructions on changing the MSDN Retail Home or Pro from Retail to VLK or OEM and how to find out a key from the currently installed Windows.

But looking at the post about Microsoft's Offical Stance then it does not matter, because you have to use only the media that came with the computer and no other, even if the current key does work.


Thanks

 

[studiot]

As you might expect this topic has received much discussion on Technibble.

What research have you done for yourself?

http://www.technibble.com/forums/search.php?searchid=808191

 

[atlanticjim]

Here is what I do.

Backup the data.
Backup the drivers.

Copy the Key from the side of the box.
Copy the key from the registry using MagicJellyBean.

Use my OEM copy if I have one. I have Dell XP Pro, Home and Media Center Edition OEM SP1, 2 and 3.

If I don't have the correct OEM disk I use my "generic" XP disk that I created with nLite from the original disks I have. (These have been stripped of all the branding and OEM extras) I have Pro, Home and MCE.

Depending on which disk is used, a key may not be necessary.

Actually, when I think about it, I always use my SP3 disks for N/P. Who wants to sit around and babysit an update from SP2? I have the other disks for sfc and repair installs.

After the OS and drivers are installed I use Windows Update Downloader to update (it bypasses the incremental updates with restarts).

Then put the data back.

Your question was how to LEGALLY do a n/p. Note: The above process is probably not legal but as I have said before, I dont think MS is coming after me for anything like this.