Activating my self-built PC with XP Pro?

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Sternkreuzer - 26 Jul 2008 02:58 GMT

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?

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Jerry - 26 Jul 2008 03:33 GMT

Yes
Yes, except Microsoft does not support OEM installs, that is provided by
whomever the OEM provider of the CD is.

>I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding doing
> this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Mainstream
> Support?

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VanguardLH - 26 Jul 2008 04:39 GMT

> 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).

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Sternkreuzer - 26 Jul 2008 06:29 GMT

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
$$$.

> > I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding doing
> > this so Microsoft will Activate my installation:
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> shelves. I suspect activation will continue to work until the end of
> the extended support period (year 2014).

Reply to this Message

VanguardLH - 26 Jul 2008 15:48 GMT

> 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)

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Daave - 26 Jul 2008 16:30 GMT

> 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.

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Ken Blake, MVP - 26 Jul 2008 17:08 GMT

> 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
> $$$.

Signature

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

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PA Bear [MS MVP] - 26 Jul 2008 21:10 GMT

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.

Signature

~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/

> I want to build my own PC and install XP Pro. Two Questions regarding
> doing
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Mainstream
> Support?

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Sternkreuzer - 27 Jul 2008 00:09 GMT

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!!

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PA Bear [MS MVP] - 27 Jul 2008 02:15 GMT

YW & thanks for your feedback!

> Many Thanks for the help on this topic. By going around to retail stores
> in
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> because there was a sticker on the case.... Having a capable Newsgroup to
> talk to is a real breath of fresh air!!

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Daave - 27 Jul 2008 03:24 GMT

> Many Thanks for the help on this topic. By going around to retail
> stores in
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> 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).

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