Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

[Guest Sternkreuzer]

I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding doing

this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:

 

1) Can I buy the components along with XP Pro OEM and do this?

 

2) Can I do this after April, 2009 when Microsoft terminates its Mainstream

Support?

[Guest Jerry]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Yes

Yes, except Microsoft does not support OEM installs, that is provided by

whomever the OEM provider of the CD is.

 

"Sternkreuzer" <Sternkreuzer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:33D58A25-4EF3-4BF8-8DB6-6414BAC97DBC@microsoft.com...

>I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding doing

> this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:

>

> 1) Can I buy the components along with XP Pro OEM and do this?

>

> 2) Can I do this after April, 2009 when Microsoft terminates its

> Mainstream

> Support?

[Guest VanguardLH]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Sternkreuzer wrote:

> I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding doing

> this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:

>

> 1) Can I buy the components along with XP Pro OEM and do this?

 

If you buy an OEM version, you are *required* to buy it with some

hardware. The first computer in which you install that hardware to

which that license is tied then usurps that license, so the first

computer in which that OEM version is used is the one to which that OEM

version is tied to thereafter.

> 2) Can I do this after April, 2009 when Microsoft terminates its Mainstream

> Support?

 

Depends on whether whomever you purchase the OEM version still has it in

stock. Just because Microsoft dropped support and distribution for a

product doesn't mean that product suddenly vaporized from everyone's

shelves. I suspect activation will continue to work until the end of

the extended support period (year 2014).

[Guest Sternkreuzer]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Great, I will get the parts to build my computer using a System Builder OEM

version of XP Pro.

 

I am planning to visit a relative latex next summer and it would be fun to

build an XP Pro machine with him; so I am thinking to buy a full version of

XP Pro now and keep it in reserve for the occasion. Where would I look in the

MS documents to determine whether or not they will actually issue an

activation next summer? I would really like to know that before I lay out the

$$$.

 

"VanguardLH" wrote:

> Sternkreuzer wrote:

>

> > I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding doing

> > this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:

> >

> > 1) Can I buy the components along with XP Pro OEM and do this?

>

> If you buy an OEM version, you are *required* to buy it with some

> hardware. The first computer in which you install that hardware to

> which that license is tied then usurps that license, so the first

> computer in which that OEM version is used is the one to which that OEM

> version is tied to thereafter.

>

> > 2) Can I do this after April, 2009 when Microsoft terminates its Mainstream

> > Support?

>

> Depends on whether whomever you purchase the OEM version still has it in

> stock. Just because Microsoft dropped support and distribution for a

> product doesn't mean that product suddenly vaporized from everyone's

> shelves. I suspect activation will continue to work until the end of

> the extended support period (year 2014).

>

[Guest VanguardLH]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Sternkreuzer wrote:

> Great, I will get the parts to build my computer using a System Builder OEM

> version of XP Pro.

>

> I am planning to visit a relative latex

 

"Your plastic pal whose fun to be with" from Sirius Cybernetics Corp?

(From "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy")

> next summer and it would be fun to

> build an XP Pro machine with him; so I am thinking to buy a full version of

> XP Pro now and keep it in reserve for the occasion. Where would I look in the

> MS documents to determine whether or not they will actually issue an

> activation next summer? I would really like to know that before I lay out the

> $$$.

 

I believe pre-sales calls to Microsoft's Sales folks is free. The OEM

is responsible for supporting the installation but Microsoft is the one

that always does the activation (other than volume licenses which are

already activated). After all, Windows Business and Ultimate versions

have downgrade rights to Windows XP (provided you have the install media

for Windows XP) and Microsoft will have to activate those Windows XP

installs.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_prodinfo_master?ws=mscom&ws=mscom#tab3

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/cu_sc_prodact_master?ws=mscom#tab1

(found simply by navigating from the "Contact Us" link on their home

page)

[Guest Daave]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Sternkreuzer wrote:

> Great, I will get the parts to build my computer using a System

> Builder OEM version of XP Pro.

>

> I am planning to visit a relative latex next summer and it would be

> fun to build an XP Pro machine with him; so I am thinking to buy a

> full version of XP Pro now and keep it in reserve for the occasion.

 

If you are buying an OEM version, you don't have a choice; they are all

Full versions. Just know that once you install it on the PC you are

building, it is forever tied to that PC (i.e., not transferrable). This

is why some people prefer buying the more expensive Retail versions

(which *are* transferrable). (If you purchase a Retail version, try to

buy the cheaper Upgrade version -- as long as you have a qualifying

installation disk like 98 or ME.)

> Where would I look in the MS documents to determine whether or not

> they will actually issue an activation next summer? I would really

> like to know that before I lay out the $$$.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-gb&C2=1173

 

Extended support for XP is through August 4, 2014.

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:29:00 -0700, Sternkreuzer

<Sternkreuzer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> Great, I will get the parts to build my computer using a System Builder OEM

> version of XP Pro.

 

 

My recommendation is to avoid buying the OEM version. It's a poor

choice because its license permanently ties it to the first computer

it's installed on.

 

There's very little difference in price between a retail Upgrade

version and an OEM version. Since almost everyone qualifies for the

Upgrade (or can qualify, by buying an inexpensive used copy of 98), I

think the Upgrade is much the better deal. And by the way, if you

don't realize it, an upgrade version *cam=n* do a clean installation

as long as you have a CD of a previous qualifying version to insert as

proof of ownership when prompted to do so.

 

> I am planning to visit a relative latex next summer and it would be fun to

> build an XP Pro machine with him; so I am thinking to buy a full version of

> XP Pro now and keep it in reserve for the occasion.

 

 

A Full version is the *most* expensive version, and again a poor

choice. Again, I recommend the Upgrade instead. Remember that it *can*

do a clean installation (see above).

 

> Where would I look in the

> MS documents to determine whether or not they will actually issue an

> activation next summer?

 

 

There is no reason to expect otherwise. I can't imagine that they

would fail to do this.

 

> I would really like to know that before I lay out the

> $$$.

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Support for WinXP SP2 ends in April 2010. Extended Support for WinXP SP3

ends in April 2014. Only free installation and compatibility support for

SP3 ends in April 2009.

 

PS: By a Full Retail Version of WinXP...if you can find it. Avoid OEM.

--

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)

MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net

DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

 

 

Sternkreuzer wrote:

> I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding

> doing

> this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:

>

> 1) Can I buy the components along with XP Pro OEM and do this?

>

> 2) Can I do this after April, 2009 when Microsoft terminates its

> Mainstream

> Support?

[Guest Sternkreuzer]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

Many Thanks for the help on this topic. By going around to retail stores in

town I heard a confusing variety of answers. Some claimed that a single

individual could not use an OEM System Builder license, Some claimed that the

machines they sold (mainly from big companies) did not use OEM licenses

because there was a sticker on the case.... Having a capable Newsgroup to

talk to is a real breath of fresh air!!

[Guest PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

YW & thanks for your feedback!

 

Sternkreuzer wrote:

> Many Thanks for the help on this topic. By going around to retail stores

> in

> town I heard a confusing variety of answers. Some claimed that a single

> individual could not use an OEM System Builder license, Some claimed that

> the machines they sold (mainly from big companies) did not use OEM

> licenses

> because there was a sticker on the case.... Having a capable Newsgroup to

> talk to is a real breath of fresh air!!

[Guest Daave]

Re: Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

 

"Sternkreuzer" <Sternkreuzer@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:FDECB125-BE1E-4D9B-99E2-C4CCCE20A51C@microsoft.com...

> Many Thanks for the help on this topic. By going around to retail

> stores in

> town I heard a confusing variety of answers. Some claimed that a

> single

> individual could not use an OEM System Builder license, Some claimed

> that the

> machines they sold (mainly from big companies) did not use OEM

> licenses

> because there was a sticker on the case.... Having a capable Newsgroup

> to

> talk to is a real breath of fresh air!!

 

Glad we could help.

 

There are two types of OEM licenses. A generic OEM (aka System Builder)

license is what you expressed interest in. Then there are branded OEM

licenses used by companies such as Dell, HP, etc. (they are the ones

with the stickers on the cases).