Buying a blank computer..windows cd?

[Esk247]

I'm thinking of buying a couple of new base units to replace the older computers.

Now, the ones i've looked at are cheap enough £250 with twice the hard drive and ram spec of the computers i have now.

They're not windows pre-loaded though. So can i use my genuine windows cd from my old computers on the new computers? or will that flash up as already being installed and registered on another pc?

 

[Jeff Knows]

Uhm, it depends on what license your windows keys are and how EULA abiding you are

If you have Retail licensed Windows. That is, bought off a shelf with a proper box and manual etc. Then that CD-Key can be used on any computer, once at a time. That is you uninstall it from the old computers, install on the new ones. They'll boot you for having both going at once though.

If you have an OEM license. That is, came with a computer or bought just as a CD from an online retailer in a plain cardboard sleeve, no books and such. Then according to the Microsoft EULA it's meant to be used on one computer, ever. You throw the computer, you throw the Windows license.

However. Microsoft do allow a certain amount of hardware changes before they'll flag the OEM copy as being reused. Technically you've changed computers, but they don't know that. It might just continue working, if you don't hit their 'points' limit. (Each component gets a score, to allow room for a graphics card change or a new harddrive etc.) If it locks down you give 'em a ring, tell them you changed your motherboard and can they please unlock it. They almost always do so.

OEM is intended to be sold purely to people like Dell. It was never intended to get into customers hands directly. The idea is if you buy a Dell computer with a Windows license, when you get a new computer, you'll get a new Windows license =)

So, if you are willing to bend the EULA slightly (very slight, really), and you have OEM. You are fine. If you have full retail Windows, you are completely fine.

 

[Dawg]

You could always think of running Ubuntu instead. You can always install Dreamweaver and Windows based kit using Wine.
No worries about EULAs, OEM agreements etc etc.

 

[Esk247]

I might well give Ubuntu a go on one of the new machines. I've heard lots of positive comments about it but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

I've got 2 boxed, retail copies of Windows as my last computers were built for me and the sofware was loaded on afterwards.

So as long as i uninstall from the old computer (which is being scrapped) then i should be alright using my old windows CDs on the new pc and such.

 

[mit74]

The OEM licence is impossible to enforce as you may need to change mortherboard at some point which is essentially like having a new computer. You may not be able to activate the windows online but will have to do it over the phone to an automated service which will ask you how many computers you have this key installed and obviously you press just 1 and follow instructions. In the unlikely event that doesnt work phone them up and just say your mobo blew and had to replace it.

 

[Rasta Pickles]

You could always think of running Ubuntu instead. You can always install Dreamweaver and Windows based kit using Wine.
No worries about EULAs, OEM agreements etc etc.

You can even try Ubuntu by downloading the ISO and following the website instructions (easy-peasy) to make it bootable via a memory stick.

Obviously you need to ensure your system is configured to boot from the stick before your hard drive.

You can then run the whole shooting match from the stick and your Windows installation is untouched - it's very useful to be able to try it knowing your existing setup is sat there waiting for you when you've finished.

 

[OnegreatLink]

For a minute there I thought your thread read ''buying a bank''

 

[sally_b]

I'd second trying Linux instead of Windows. I've found Linux Mint great - very easy to switch to.

 

[Rasta Pickles]

I'm thinking of buying a couple of new base units to replace the older computers.

Now, the ones i've looked at are cheap enough £250 with twice the hard drive and ram spec of the computers i have now.

They're not windows pre-loaded though. So can i use my genuine windows cd from my old computers on the new computers? or will that flash up as already being installed and registered on another pc?

Just to add that Dell have a couple of decent models going for around £250 and you get Windows 7 chucked in.

You might need to invest £20-£30 on some extra memory but still worth thinking about?

 

[Esk247]

Well i've just purchased a base unit from ebuyer. Its got double the hard drive spec and the same RAM as the old computer. £180 inc VAT and FREE delivery!

I'm now going to trial Ubuntu on this spare laptop i have hanging around and see what its like, make sure everything works the way it should etc.

New base should be hear by Monday at the latest and if the Ubuntu software impresses i'll convert to that. If not i'll just shove the windows disc in and get back to a nice, clean, empty hard drive refreshing.

 

[imaginarynumber]

M$ delete the retail xp registrations from their databases after 6 months meaning that you can reuse the same key after 6 months without needing to phone them for an activation code.